You know how all letters begin: » Dear Santa, I’ve been good this year and I want….«.

Make it somehow differrent this year. Help the child explain why he thinks he’s been good. Let him describe this passing year in a really positive way.

What did he achieve? What did he learned? What did he accomplished? What did he do to others? Who did he help?

Together find positive events, when he was really happy or excited. When was he most proud of himself? What activities did he enjoy the most with his friends? When did the family have the best time?

You can even encourage some words about gratitude. What moments, people and things is he grateful for, that was in his life this year?

And finally, of course, let him ask for his wish. But again, make it more profound and help your kid describe everything he wants for himself in the coming year. What would he like to be? What would he like to accomplish? Where would he like to go?

This way the letter to Santa will not only express his demands for a certain material thing (toy, electonics, …), but it will give him an insight about all the great things he already have in life and he will certainly see his future in broader perspective.

Before the letter is sent, copy it and put somewhere you all can see it. It will be a great reminder throughout the whole 2011 to be and have what he wished for.

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You know, someone he looks up to. Someone he admires his characteristics, his attitude and his (super) powers. It can be a person, fantasy creature, movie or cartoon character or even an animal.

What is important is that he finds something good and noteworthy in him/it and he wants to possess the same qualities.

Encourage your kid to find his own role model or several of them. Too often we, the parents put down the power of the role models. When we say things like ”Don’t be silly, don’t act like that, you are not a superman.” we are actually putting down all the positive sides of that role model.

Instead you should help your kids to find a positive role model. By emphasising positive qualities and encouraging thinking like a super hero we are giving our kids the power to think outside the box. When the kid personifies his role model, he is adopting the thinking and behaving of that superhero.

If your kid doesn’t have a role model, maybe you can encourage finding one to the specific situations. When facing a problem, ask your kid who might help him. What qualities would he need to find the solution? Who might be best help him with the problem? You can offer several ideas, giving your kid time to think from different angles. Superman might solve the problem differently than Ben10 or Lion the King. And when playing and stepping in their shoes he might find the right solution.

Teach your kid to ask for help imaginary creatures when he faces challenges. He might ask for help someone that he think could help him, like Einstein for mathematical problems. Teach him to approach the problem from different positions by using the power of different models.

Of  course you should monitor that behaviour do not become violent, negative or event destructive, but as long as the kid is pretending to be someone better, stronger and smarter, you should support his play.

You might check out the workbook “50 Law of Attraction Games for Children” to help you with the role playing and finding the qualities your kid admires.

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There are so many positive effect of laughing, both physical and emotional, that you just can’t ignore!

Laughter relaxes the whole body and relieves physical tension and stress. It boosts the immune system by decreasing stress hormones and increasing immune cells. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. And last but not least protects you from the heart diseases, because it improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow.

When laughing you can’t feel angry or sad. Humor helps you shift perspective. And you are so much more fun to be with.

Read more about the benefits of laughter at http://helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

So why don’t you make it a laughter day?

• Laugh for no reason!
• Smile to strangers!
• Make fun of things and events! (Just be careful not to offend anyone!)

Watch how your laughing gets contagious and how it spreads all over the world.

You like this game? You might also like “50 Law of Attraction Games for Children”.

Lay still on the ground and get all relaxed. Watch the puffy clouds sailing above your head.

Look for familiar shapes and make up a story about them. Where are they going? What are they seeing from above? What are they talking? Are they happy or angry?

Think about different stages and transformations of the cloud – from being cute little cloud to huge storm cloud that brings wind and rain.

Discuss with the child different stages in human life and how every stage has its own responsibilities and challenges and joy and happiness as well. Tell him about constant changes, and how we too have our ups and downs.

Did you ever heard of Laughter (or Laughing) Yoga?

It is a combination of laughing and yoga breathing and it is based on the assumption that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, and that their physiological and psychological benefits are thus identical. People get together just to laugh, which is stimulated by eye staring and playfulness.

Ever noticed that the children are naturals for this? They make funny faces, quirky noises and peculiar moves and I’m sure your child would love to laugh along, if you make those.

So, when you have a few minutes, make your child ROFWL (roll on floor with laughter).

Did you like it? Please share your comments below!

You might also like other 49 ideas and activities in the “50 Law of Attraction Games for Children” workbook to help you teaching children while you play.

Remember how children could brag endlessly in front of their friends about what they have. It can be really annoying, but can you make a fun of it?

Get them list all the things they really have.

Help them see beyond material things (although they will probably start with them). Put on a list all their friends, things in their neighborhood and the environment (like fresh air, water, woods …). Don’t forget to mention their rights (like freedom, schooling…) and their feelings (towards themselves, other people and from others to them).

You can even make a competition, who can list more things.

Or go even further and find the pictures of everything listed to post somewhere as a reminder.

The game will show your kids that they already have lots of things that they can enjoy and be grateful for. They will also help them appreciate the NOW and to live in the moment.

Did you like the idea? Post your comments below!

Or check out other 49 ideas in the workbook “50 Law of Attaction Games for Children”.

If you were an animal, which one would you choose?

Would you be brave as a lion? Hard-working as bees or ants? Deceptive as a fox?

Now think about these questions:

• Why would you select this animal?
• Which characteristics would you like to have?
• What would you do with your power (or brains)?
• What would be your message to the people?
• Would you choose to help someone special with the quality you possess?

I would really love to hear your answers. Please post your comments below.

And if you liked the idea, you might also like other 49 games and activities in the workbook “50 Law of Attraction Games for Children”.

“…When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag
So wave your flag, now wave your flag, now wave your flag…”
(Waving Flag by K’Naan)

If you watch the World Cup or not, you could not miss the anthem song, as it can be heard everywhere you go. 

If you were to compete or represent your family to the world, what colors would your flag be? What message would you want to give to your fans?

Find the pictures and words and put them on your flag to represent your family, your values and ideas, your mission and your wishes.

I would really love to see your flag! Post a picture or describe it in the comments below!

The best museums and museum exhibits about science or technology give you the feeling that, hey, this is interesting, but maybe I could do something here, too. Paul Allen

Why don’t you spend a hot summer day in the museum?

I am sure there are some great exhibitions and events at the local or near-by museum. Find out if they have something special, like a workshop or hands-on experiments. You can learn something new or relive the past.

Every June we visit the Museum Night, which is held every year for a whole day (and night) at every museum and the custos prepare special workshops, tours and events. Our favorite is going to the school lessons from the past. We get to wear old school uniforms and the lessons are taught in the “old” language. We write with a quill pen and at every lesson there is someone who misbehave and have to kneel on the corn:).

Museums can be as fun as they are educative so don’t avoid them just because its name is a museum and you think of them as bored. Nowadays you can learn through visual, interactive presentations as well as through your own involvement. And what better way to remember than by trying it by yourself. Just make sure you have lots of time as you can easily get carried away.

Are your friends away for the summer? Do you miss them?

Why don’t you write them some letters?

Describe your days, what are you doing, how are you spending your holidays…

And don’t forget to mention how you miss him (or her) and how happy you would be to spend some of the time together.

You can also include a poem, quote or your drawing.