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Teaching Generosity Through Caring & Giving​

Nationwide food drive event

The season of giving is the perfect time to help little ones explore the big idea of generosity. That’s why November is Caring and Giving month at Primrose schools, where children learn how happy our hearts can be when we give without expecting anything in return.   

Each year, Primrose students across the country join in the Caring and Giving Food Drive to help families in their local communities. This year, we’d like to invite every family from Primrose and beyond to join in the fun. From your child earning money through chores and making a grocery list to heading to the store together and donating to those in need, we’ve gathered a few steps to help you and your family start your own food drive!

Step One: Complete Chores    

According to Dr. Lynn Louise Wonders, daily and weekly chores for children have a variety of benefits. They provide a sense of routine and structure, help children master skills and build self-confidence and instill a sense of belongingness in children.

During the Caring and Giving Food Drive, Primrose Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten children do chores at home to earn money, then they share that money with classmates to practice counting and cooperation.    

To encourage your child to get involved (and even excited) about chores, try these tips:    

  • Offer age-appropriate tasks: Make household chores more fun by choosing ones that are best-suited for your child’s age. 
  • Be a helping hand:  Step in to offer support if needed, but don’t do the work yourself.  
  • Show your gratitude:  Give thanks instead of praise. Try saying “Thank you for being so helpful. You’re saving me so much time.”.  
  • Set them up for success: Be specific with your instructions and break chores down into small tasks.  
  • Redirect with love: Children get distracted. Encourage them to focus with phrases like, “Let’s go ahead and finish the job and then we can play”.  
  • Incorporate teachable moments: Try counting or singing together while you both tidy up. 

Step Two: Make a Shopping List  

Before children can determine how much they can buy, they need to understand how much money they have. In Primrose classrooms, teachers use this as an opportunity to introduce basic math skills that include counting the number of coins, adding money based on coin value, combining the money and adding the entire classroom’s fund then calculating the cost for each food package.  

Once you know your budget, create your list by asking your child about some of their favorite foods or what they’d like to give to others. Use this as an opportunity to talk about the importance of balanced meals and the difference between perishable and non-perishable foods.   

For older children, writing the list is also a great opportunity to explore letters and words. You can model writing as your child dictates or you can even share the pen by encouraging your child to write what they can while you fill in the rest.    

For inspiration, check out our interactive shopping list. 

Step Three: Head to the Store   

Grocery stores are the perfect environment for your child to explore the world around them. They’re filled with opportunities to count, look for letters on packaging, compare textures and more. As you search for, and gather, the items on your shopping list, try these fun and easy activities for more learning fun.   

Step Four: Donate to Those in Need  

Now you’re ready for the best part—giving! There are likely a number of places in your community you can bring food donations to, including local food banks, churches, community centers, shelters and more. Find a food bank near you.  

Step Five: Share Your Journey  

Thank you for joining our month of Caring and Giving at Primrose! From tidying up and making grocery lists to shopping and dropping off donations, we’d love to see it all. Share your pictures and videos with us using #CaringandGiving and tagging @PrimroseSchools.    

For more on nurturing generosity and building character, check out: