Christmas is a time of giving and celebrates the ultimate present – God’s gift of his perfect son. As we enter a season fixated on presents, treats and material gifts it is a good time to revisit the joy that can be found by integrating simple acts of kindness into Christmas celebrations in a way that is both enjoyable and impactful.
At Sydney Catholic Schools, we know teaching children to care about others doesn’t have to be complicated, especially at this time of giving and compassion. Children naturally show empathy and curiosity about the world around them. Christmas is a wonderful time to nurture these qualities, encouraging them to continue to grow into compassionate young people who make a positive difference in the world.
Here are three simple ways to encourage a spirit of caring and generosity in your child this Christmas season.
ONE: Share stories of gratitude and generosity
Gathering around the family table is a perfect opportunity to nurture gratitude and empathy. Encourage each family member to reflect on the year they’ve had and share one thing they’re grateful for, helping children to recognise the blessings in their lives. To deepen this practice, share stories of kindness —whether from books, movies, or real life—that show how people help each other in big and small ways. Kids love stories, and sharing ones about generosity and empathy can spark meaningful conversations.
TWO: Giving as a fun family activity
Whether you’re baking cookies for a neighbour living alone, gathering toys to donate to the St Vincent De Paul Society, or making contributions to a school canned food drive, kids learn best when they’re actively participating. Involving them in these acts of goodwill and generosity creates memories they’ll cherish.
THREE: Create a ‘Kindness Challenge’
Who doesn’t love a challenge? Start a kindness jar at home and write simple tasks like ‘give a compliment’ or ‘help a friend’ on slips of paper. Every day, draw a challenge from the jar and let them go for it! Kids love seeing the impact of their actions, and they’ll start noticing opportunities to be kind everywhere.
At Sydney Catholic Schools, we start teaching values of empathy and compassion early, guided by our faith and modelled on Jesus Christ. Through community projects, outreach, support for charitable partners and social justice initiatives, we give students countless ways to make a difference and learn the power of caring in action.
We know that little hearts are capable of big things, and these early experiences of helping others are paramount to building a strong foundation of compassion, selflessness, and resilience. Simple acts of kindness can set the stage for a lifelong commitment to making the world a better place. At Sydney Catholic Schools it’s a journey we are proud to be part of.
An emphasis on excellence in all areas of education – from academic to vocational, sport and the arts – helps Sydney Catholic Schools nurture the potential of all students in their 147-strong network of primary and secondary schools.
Click here to find your nearest Catholic school.
