Seven Ways to Make the Holidays Special for Your Kids

Take the time to slow down and reflect on family and traditions

Our children love the holidays. Time off from school, presents and the possibility of spending countless hours gaming or on social media are just some of the common reasons why today’s kids look forward to the winter holidays. Those are all fine, but they are not the best things about the holidays. It’s a parent’s and caregiver’s responsibility to remind our growing children what is the real value of the holidays.

Although every family is different, there are some constants that we can all point to that make us yearn for December as we sometimes struggle through the rest of the year looking forward to the holidays. Here are seven ways to bring those same values to our kids:

Comfort & Help Kids Through Difficult World Events

By James R. Haj, president & CEO The Children’s Trust, reprinted from Miami's Community Newspapers

As protectors and guardians of our children, parents get used to taking care of all aspects of their kids’ lives. But as we all know, one day the parents will have to release the responsibility of caring for their children to the children themselves. That’s why teaching them to take care of themselves is one of the most important skills we can impart to them. 

Luckily, today we know so much more about what self-care means that we can start our children on a positive path toward it from an early age. How to take care of themselves physically remains among the most important things to teach children, but today’s parents can also make major inroads into helping children care for themselves mentally and emotionally. 

First New Soccer Mini Pitch Opens in Downtown Miami; Many to Follow

Just Ball League Play Starts Up

In October, the first mini-soccer pitch built in South Florida as part of the Miami-Dade Soccer Initiative, opened its gates to the Just Ball League at The Children’s Trust funded Centro Mater Foundation. 

The soccer pitch and the Trust-sponsored free soccer programming that will be played on it are part of an ambitious project that will develop 50 new soccer mini-pitches in underserved parts of the community to improve the health and well-being of at least 36,000 children by 2030. All the mini-pitches are planned to be operating by 2026, the same year as the FIFA World Cup held in Noth America, including games being played in Miami. Families enjoyed music, food and, of course, the youth delighted in playing on the new mini-pitch at Central Mater. 

Twenty-Seven Children Adopted on National Adoption Day in Miami-Dade

Consider adopting and change a child or youth's life forever

What is it about scary music that makes the hair on your arm and neck stand? Whether it’s the theme song for Jaws, Halloween or Friday the 13th, certain music makes us want to hide under the sheets. And yet, somehow, we all enjoy it. That’s the idea that always inspired the Spooky Symphony and as the Halloween concert enters its 14th year, the adrenaline certain songs evoke in us always has us craving more. 

With Halloween just around the corner, Miami-Dade County is gearing up for a spine-tingling and enchanting celebration. The Children's Trust once again presents the Spooky Symphony, a one-hour free musical extravaganza that promises to be an exciting, imaginative and fun-filled experience for the whole family.

What Trust-Funded Provider is Best for You? Go to Find a Program Web Page!

Looking for an after-school program for your child? The Children's Trust funds different programs that stress engaging, active and educational after-school programs.

The Children’s Trust Parent Club offers FREE, countywide workshops on relevant topics about raising children that are successful, healthy, and happy.