Activity: Deck of Promises

Every friend knows how important it is to keep a promise. Help your child appreciate the importance of keeping a promise by sharing the responsibility of choosing and keeping a new promise together each day or week.

Materials:

• old or used deck of cards
• spray or liquid acrylic paint (to be used with supervision)
• paint brush (if needed)
• newspaper for protecting surfaces from paint
• markers for writing promises on each card

Directions:
Turn an old or used deck of cards into a new "deck of promises." First, paint cards and allow to dry. With a marker, write simple promises that you and your child want to share and work together to keep, like spending 15 minutes reading in your favorite place or exercising the family pet together. How about calling an elderly relative or donating food to the local food bank? The important thing is to set a goal to draw from the deck each week. By doing this, you will be setting a great example for your child about how to share and serve others in a kind way.

Take It Further: Read: I Pledge Allegiance by Bill Martin (Candlewick Press). After reading this inspiring book, practice sharing the Pledge of Allegiance by standing at attention, placing one hand over heart, and saying the pledge. Option: If you don't have a real flag, face a flag picture.

With a Group: Help children choose a community organization or service project to participate in on a routine basis. Create a simple contract for each child to sign as a commitment, or promise, to share and keep together. Set a reward for everyone to share when the mission has been accomplished and commitments have been fulfilled as a group.