Kids learn the importance of giving

Rotorua HomeBased Childcare kids including Savannah Gunn, 4, (centre) get into the spirit of Christmas by donating to the Rotorua Daily Post Salvation Army foodbank appeal. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Teaching children the benefit of giving to others is an important message.

That's why Rotorua HomeBased Childcare wanted to give to this year's Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal in support of the Salvation Army foodbank.

Children were asked to bring along a can of food to their Christmas party held at the Linton Park Community Centre at the weekend.

Amid the blowing of bubbles, playing with hula hoops, eating food, having a visit from Santa, performing a Jiggle Jam item for parents and jumping on the bouncy castle, an important message was being relayed to the children.

Rotorua HomeBased Childcare owner Katrina van der Gulik said Christmas was an expensive time of year for families and there were a lot who really struggled.

Mrs van der Gulik said donating to the appeal sent an important message to the children about helping others in need.

"I think it's valuable for our children to try and learn or understand that the world is made up of many walks of life and that not all children and families have a safe place to live, or food to eat every day. It's a tricky thing to teach children, particularly pre-schoolers, but we do our best."

Rotorua HomeBased Childcare collected 26 items of food.

"Every little bit helps, so I challenge early childhood education services or anyone who is in a position to do so to do something similar. There are many struggling families out there who will really appreciate a small helping hand this Christmas. With rising costs in housing, electricity, petrol etc, it's often a struggle to put food on the table and it's the children who miss out."