National Family Week: Community Connection

By Joanna Young

In a world of instability and insecurity, it's vital for preschoolers to experience a strong connection between home and community. Strong community connections make strong families, and strong families make strong children. By participating in activities that support the 38th annual National Family Week: Community Connection, you and your preschoolers will be a valuable link in the connection between family and community.

Holiday Crafts Support National Family Week's Community Connection

National Family Week (NFW) is observed during Thanksgiving week, November 19-25, 2006. Since Thanksgiving generally signifies the beginning of the holiday season, it offers an excellent opportunity to support NFW's Community Connection.

Preschoolers can participate by creating and sharing handmade holiday craft items, such as the Stuffed Tummy Teddy Bear. This adorable little teddy bear has a tummy full of holiday treats and will be appreciated by needy children in your community. Using inexpensive materials and a little quality time, you and your preschoolers can create these holiday gifts and donate them to your local homeless shelter or community center.

Supporting NFW's Community Connection Helps Preschoolers

By teaching preschoolers to use their creativity to benefit the community, you are teaching them that they are contributing citizens. Thus, you are giving them a greater sense of self-worth and are helping to build strong children for strong communities. And strong communities build strong families! That's what National Family Week is all about!