A great idea over the Festive Season that will not only keep your kids entertained, but also helps build self-confidence and focused on the positive is the Happy Jar.
What you will need:
- 1 x Glass Jar (plus some fun stickers
- 5 sheets of different coloured paper (choose some nice fun, bright colours)
- 1 x scissors
Preparation:
- Fold each A4 coloured sheet in half and in half again (press hard on the folds to create clear cutting lines).
- Cut on the lines to get four squares from each sheet of coloured paper (total 20 squares)
- Decorate the outside of the Happy jar with some fun stickers and ribbons
For 20 days ask your child to write a short sentence (I per square, one square per day) as follows:
- What makes me special – what makes me unique?
- What am I grateful for?
- What makes me happy?
- What I would like to focus on next year (to improve myself)?
- Who is special in my life and why?
Every day – once they have completed the square – fold in half and half again and place in their Happy Jar. Sit with your child and help them if necessary – but remember, this is about their thoughts and wishes – so try not influence their input.
At Christmas (or on a set day after the 20 day period), open the Happy Jar and go through the squares as a family. Discuss each square with your child – maybe even put a simple action plan together to achieve/develop some of the points raised.
It is important to remember this rewarding family activity is about fun and self-confidence.
Tips:
- Add or remove some of the square ‘topics’ if you want to be more relevant or even age appropriatei.e. maybe you want ‘my favourite memories of 2020’ or ‘what Covid/the lock down has taught me” etc
