When my children were young, I would let them snuggle next to me, draw on paper, or build at my feet while I read aloud. Their hands were busy, but their minds were attentive. They listened, absorbed, and learned while they played.
Then I met Gail. She shared something beautiful she did with her children while she read aloud—something that wove service and learning together in the sweetest way
Ways Busy Hands Can Build Empathy & Values While Learning.
Gail had five children, ages 3–16, and she did two simple but powerful things:
1. She taught all of her children—even her three-year-old—to hat loom using circular plastic looms.
She explained that there were people in their community who didn’t have money for warm hats, clothes, or blankets. Then she showed them how to loom. Her children were eager to help those who were cold.
That fall, while Gail read aloud and taught from my Power of an Hour curriculum, her children were happily busy—serving and learning at the same time
2. Once a week, she took one of her older children to a local church to help make quilts for those in need.
The other older children watched the younger ones, and each child had a turn to go help quilt. Every one of them learned something meaningful from the experience.
I thought she was brilliant!
Soon I contacted some local organizations and shared with my own children how many people needed help. Before long, my children were hat looming and doing other simple service projects with their hands while I read aloud and taught them. Their hands were busy serving, but their hearts and minds were learning—not just academics, but empathy, compassion, and values.
They discovered they didn’t have to wait until adulthood to make a difference in someone’s life.
And we didn’t stop there.
During the Christmas season, we practiced secret service in our home. Each time someone served another family member, they placed a piece of straw in the manger. We also encouraged the children to make their Christmas gifts, shifting the focus from what they get to what they give. Today, my grown children still serve and still create heartfelt gifts.
You might consider what simple acts of service could do for your children’s learning.
Enjoy!
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