Kiddie Academy® Teaches Children About Holiday Giving

ABINGDON, Md., Dec. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Kiddie Academy®, a nationally networked franchise with more than 160 locations nationwide, is putting an emphasis on teaching children the art of giving. Research shows that children whose parents talk to them about giving back were 20 percent more likely to give to charity than parents who did not discuss giving with their children at all, according to a study by the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Parents who speak with their young children about giving can positively influence their children's philanthropic behavior later on in life.

"Parents are invested in teaching their children the attitude of gratitude, and they want to raise children who are excited about giving to others. The holiday gift-giving season is a good opportunity to teach both generosity and gratitude," said Vice President of Education at Kiddie Academy, Richard Peterson. "It's easy to share good fortune when opportunities like bell-ringers, toy drives, carolers and charity events are prevalent. Teaching young children the joy and satisfaction that comes with giving gifts to others can help make these abstract ideas easier to understand; in turn, they'll receive enjoyment and exultation from it for a lifetime."

Here are five ways to help your children participate in this season's gift-giving festivities:

1. Homemade Gift Certificates
   Is there anything better than a homemade, hand-decorated gift certificate designed with TLC that you can cash in for chores, back rubs, gardening or a pizza night? Family gift certificates can be a great way to get creative with gift-giving and offer loved ones something they'll never re-gift.
2. A Family Craft
   Coordinate a family craft you can do with your kids and get everyone involved. Turn your kitchen into a candle-making operation and let your children select the colors, styles and accents they want to use. Or choose cookie recipes together and bake in batches for everyone on your list!
3. Use An Allowance
   Not every family or parent feels confident about getting crafty. If making something isn't your thing, give your child a gift allowance they can use and talk about what the people on your holiday list might like as a present. Visit a dollar store or local shop together as a group and let your children pick a gift out with their allowance. This will start teaching your children that part of the pleasure of the holidays is choosing gifts their loved ones find thoughtful, personal and pleasing.
4. Give Back
   Instead of buying or making gifts for loved ones, find a local soup kitchen or charity project the whole family can participate in. Plan to make a dish for the soup kitchen, or just volunteer for kitchen duty during the holidays. 
5. Wrap Instead
   Some kids aren't quite old enough to create or choose gifts, but might be able to hold the tape or pick out wrapping paper to contribute.

For more on the art of giving and ways to teach a child the importance of gift-giving, check out Kiddie Academy's 2016 Educational Holiday Gift Guide, which features thought-provoking commentary from education and curriculum experts.

To learn more about Kiddie Academy, visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy®
Since 1981, Kiddie Academy® has been a leader in education-based child care. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, kindergarten, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs.  Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials® curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities and techniques help prepare children for school and for life. Kiddie Academy is using the globally recognized AdvancED accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in childcare. For more information, visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy® Franchising
Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising is based in Maryland and has more than 160 academies located in 24 states. Approximately 60 additional academies are in development, with new locations slated to open each year. For more information, visit www.kafranchise.com.

SOURCE Kiddie Academy

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