Gratitude | Hilltown Families

HFVS Thanksgiving Episode with Guest DJ, Charity Kahn (Radio Show/Podcast)

November 24, 2012 at 10:00 am (Guest DJ, Hilltown Family Variety Show, podcast, Video)
Tags: compassion, Family Music, Family Radio Show, Gratitude, kindness, podcast, Radio Show, Thanksgiving Episode

Listen to Podcast:

Thanksgiving Episode
with Guest DJ, Charity Kahn

This special Thanksgiving episode by Charity Kahn from Charity and the JAMband explores, through music and story, some of the many, many things we have to be grateful for in our lives — like the sun, rain, friends and family – - culminating in a vision for world peace where everyone finally has enough food, shelter, community and love. Incorporating songs by Snatam Kaur, Los Lobos, the Moody Blues, the Rolling Stones, and Nat King Cole, among others, the music and commentary weave a gentle yet thought-provoking meditation on gratitude, generosity, love and compassion to inspire folks of all ages this holiday season.

Saturday from 9-10am & Sunday from 7-8am
Nov 24th & 25th, 2012
WXOJ LP – 103.3 FM – Valley Free Radio
Northampton, MA

Featured video: Charity has a great song, “Loving Kindness.” She writes, “Love shouldn’t cost anything. This song emanated from the Buddhist practice of Loving Kindness (also called Metta), whereby you send wishes of health, happiness, safety and peace of mind to yourself and others.” In this video she shows you the movements to the song so you can show your preK kids how to dance along! Download the song for free here. – www.jamjamjam.com

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PLAYLIST

Rolling Stones – “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” [Let It Bleed]
Beatles “Dear Prudence” [White Album]
Charity and the JAMband – “Grateful” [Family Values]
Snatam Kaur – “Long Time Sun” [Sacred Chants for Healing]
Gene Kelley – “Singing in the Rain” [Best of Gene Kelley]
Charity and the JAMband – “Green Beans Everywhere” [Family Values]
Nat King Cole – “Frim Fram Sauce” [The King Cole Trio]
William Steig – Sylvester and the Magic Pebble [Read by Charity Kahn]
Moody Blues – “Lovely To See You” [On the Threshold of a Dream]
Charity and the JAMband – “Love Is Herel” [Family Values]
Johnny Nash – “I Can See Clearly Now” [single]
Los Lobos – “Peace” [Kiko]
Charity and the JAMband – “We Are the Ones” [Family Values]

Q&A: Getting Kids to Write Thank You Cards

December 25, 2011 at 1:00 pm (Question and Answer, Questions and Answers)
Tags: Children, Gratitude, Parenting

QUESTION AND ANSWERS

Does anyone have any age appropriate recommendations on how to get children to write thank-you notes for gifts received this holiday season?

Pauline Delton suggests, “I had my (5yo) son just say something to me about his gifts for his birthday (I gave him ideas of what thank you cards might say), and I wrote his words down in a card without changing them much, and then he signed his name. So, for one thing he said something like, “I want to see what bones there are!” and I added “(he means in the excavation kit)”. And then I just let people know ahead of time how we did it so they wouldn’t be confused. - Another thing would be to call people and thank them, thank them individually at the party if there is one (some cultures don’t send thank you notes; they consider the at-party thank you to be appropriate), or take a pic when the item is worn/used and send that.”
Audrey Nystrom Anderson suggests, “For my 3 year old- I have him color in the cards and I write a quick note of thanks (not everyone can decipher scribble ).”
Michael Rongner suggests, “Stickers.”
Sara Barry suggests, “My daughter is 3 and has recently started to like using the phone. She’s asked to call people and tell them that she likes or was using something they gave her, so that’s mostly what we are doing now. I’ll probably work on thank you notes with her in the future, but for this year, we’ll stick with calls and thank you in person.”
Susan Lillie Robert suggests, “I think if parents sit down and lead by example…set a night that is to write thank you notes and everyone joins in.”
Rebecca Dejnak suggests, “My oldest is 5 so I have her write at least her name on the thank you I wrote, often it’s what she tells me. When she was younger and for my 2 yr old, coloring on the non-written side of the card included them in the process.”
Lisa Osman suggests, “My child is to young (19 months old) to write, but I am thinking when she is old enough perhaps she can make her own thank you cards and it can be a drawing and I could give it to the person who gave the gift. It may not be in the words “thank you,” but its from their heart!”
Amanda Saklad suggests, “As soon as my kids knew how to make their letters, I had them copy a simple THANK YOU letter (one sentence). Before that, I had them dictate a letter while I wrote it and they drew a ‘thank you’ picture. The older ones (9 and 12) write their own and it has to have at least three sentences and be specific about WHAT they are thanking.”
Barbara Dunn suggests, “Take a photo of the child with the gift or take a photo of the child holding a hand colored THANK YOU poster. Depending on age and skill set, have them sign their name, copy “Thank you”, then work on sentences.”
Sally Yates suggests, “Tell them to. Whose the parent?”
Rhonda Anderson suggests, “I have my child make the Thank You card, from which I make copies to send out. Up to now I have been the stenographer taking dictation- she is able to do her own this year. It is important that YOU the parent are also doing Thank You cards- as a parent you are setting the example- and showing how important it is to take the time to Thank- Not to mention spending time with your child. – It should be a fun activity, not a chore…”
Rebecca Racz suggests, “Exactly, just make it a fun activity. Depending on the skills level… just a drawing with a little “thank you for the gift!” written by a parent, or a simple sentence and signature by the child is enough. Creating the “card” or other artwork is key, (and the fun part) I think. I have received plenty of cute little scribbles from kids that get the point across just fine!”
Megan Banta suggests, “My mom wouldn’t let me play with the toy, wear the clothes, or deposit or spend the money until after the thank you was written – made me write those notes fast!!”
Amita Guha suggests, “My mom used to sort of hover over me in the kitchen while I did them in the dining room. Sadly, this made them a hated chore, but I did get them done, and I still do them to this day.”
Karen Palmer suggests, “I’ve taught my daughter to truly appreciate any gift she receives and though she may not care for it she understands the importance of being thankful for what she has … and has given.”