Encouraging Preschoolers to Give Back During the Holidays

Beyond our year-round commitment to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, The Malvern School finds the season of giving the perfect time to get involved with the community and teach our students the value of helping others. The best part of all? Each act of kindness is a learning opportunity for the children at The Malvern School, showing students what it means to be compassionate, empathetic and generous.

Around this time every year, each Malvern School picks a charity that is near and dear to their hearts to bring joy to the local community.  From December 9^th-December 20^th, The Malvern School of Warrington will host a pajama drive benefitting The Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization that promotes and supports a comforting bedtime routine for all children to help them thrive. To recognize the organization, the school will hold a “Jingle and Jammies” event on December 19^th. Children will wear their pajamas to school and bring a pair to donate themselves. Beyond this, all lesson plans taught throughout the day will be focused on giving. Students will learn about the difference they will make in other children’s lives from their generosity and celebrate their success!

“Charity is a learned behavior,” says Aaron Hanson, Director of Development at Shriners for Children Medical Center. “The developmental milestone of putting others before oneself is significant and can be a predictor of greater generosity, positivity, perseverance and altruism later in life.” Whether you choose to give back through The Malvern School or another organization, we encourage you to talk to your child about the benefit of helping others and how they can get involved. Ask them how they would like to help, let them take part in the process, and talk about how they feel afterward.

What charity is your local Malvern School benefitting? Find a school near you and find out how you can get involved with your child! Here’s a sneak peek of how other Malvern Schools are helping out for the holidays:

• The Malvern School of Frazer– Food/Hygiene Drive benefitting Philabundance
• The Malvern School of Glen Mills– Gift Drive benefitting Bethany Services
• The Malvern School of Erial– Gift Drive benefitting Adopt a Family
• The Malvern School of Lionville– Food Drive benefitting the Chester County Food Bank
• The Malvern School of Richboro– Food Drive benefitting the Emergency Relief Association
• The Malvern School of Voorhees– In-Need Goods Drive benefitting Adopt a Family
• The Malvern School of Washington Township– Toy Drive benefitting Toys for Tots
• The Malvern School of Royersford– Children’s Holiday Project benefitting the Pottstown Area Children’s Foundation
• The Malvern School of West Norriton– Pajama Drive benefitting Cradles to Crayons
• The Malvern School of King of Prussia– Toy Drive & Pajama Drive benefitting Toys for Tots & Great Bedtime Story
• The Malvern School of Horsham– Donation Drive benefitting Helping Hands in Kensington
• The Malvern School of Newtown Square– Pajama Drive benefitting the Pajama Program
• The Malvern School of Downingtown– “Wish List” Drive benefitting the Chester County Community Youth & Women’s Alliance
• The Malvern School of Montgomeryville– Food Drive benefitting MANNA on Main Street
• The Malvern School of Collegeville– Coat Drive benefitting One Warm Coat
• The Malvern School of Upper Gwynedd– Pajama Drive benefitting Cradles to Crayons
• The Malvern School of Oaks– Food Drive benefitting the Phoenixville Area
• The Malvern School of Medford- Holiday Gift Drive benefitting Legacy Treatment Services
• The Malvern School of Freehold– Toy Drive Benefitting Toys for Tots
• The Malvern School of Marlboro– Pajama & Book Drive benefitting the Scholastic Pajama Drive
• The Malvern School of Jackson– Food Can Drive benefitting Fulfill Food Bank of Ocean and Monmouth County
• The Malvern School of Blue Bell– Patty Simons Annual Food Drive benefitting The Salvation Army
• The Malvern School of Robbinsville– Toy Drive benefitting Toys for Tots