One of best parts of owning a specialty toy store like My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale (IL) is the role we play in birthday gifts --- families rushing in on the way to a birthday party looking for help in selecting a present; grandparents needing a gift to ship to the grandkids on the other side of the country; parents selecting small items for the birthday party goody bags, etc. etc.
Can you remember a favorite gift you received as a child? Maybe the chemistry set your parents brought back from a trip or the porcelain piggy bank from your best friend. You enjoyed and cherished the gift because of the giver. Likewise, you remember with pleasure gifts that you've given, made all that more special by the joy of the recipients!
What does a child learn from giving? Giving helps the child develop empathy by imagining someone else's desires and needs. Little ones assume their wants are shared by their loved ones and may offer Mom or Dad a favorite stuffed toy. As children grow socially, their gift giving extends to playmates and siblings. It is important at this stage to involve the child in the process, from considering what the other may like, to selecting, wrapping, and presenting the gift. By school age, children are ready to practice true charity --- giving beyond their own circle and to the needy.
What does a child learn from receiving? Receiving comes naturally to children as that's how they're born into the world. Sincere appreciation and the social skill of expressing thanks are what children must learn. When Baby hands you her stuffed toy, do you cradle and kiss it --- or cast it away? The day after the birthday party do you gather up and exchange your child's presents? Or do you say, "What wonderful gifts from your friends!"
At My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com, we are grateful that you choose us to help you select quality gifts to help your child develop. Thank you!
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