Introducing Simbang Gabi or Midnight Mass to your preschool child

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Introducing Simbang Gabi or Midnight Mass to your preschool child

For any child in preschool, the onset of Christmas season is the most anticipated time of the year. Of course that goes for the rest of the country. Being predominantly Catholic, Filipinos regard this festive holiday as the perfect opportunity for get-togethers and reunions, gift giving and parties. It goes without saying, therefore, that children in preschool are several times more excited about Christmas than adults. Kids are generally drawn towards colorful things, and with the streets and malls adorned with glittering Christmas lights and animated decorations, children are bound to be understandably very excited. Now, apart from animated trappings displayed, preschool children also need to be oriented towards customs during Christmas. One of them is the centuries-old Filipino tradition of Midnight Mass, or what is more commonly referred to as Simbang Gabi. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for this much-awaited religious gathering, but if you want your preschool child to share in the excitement, it’s highly recommended that you prepare him adequately for it. Below are a few tips to help you introduce Simbang Gabi to your preschool darling:

Explain what it is

A lot of preschool children are generally wary of new or unfamiliar things, so it’s a safe bet that long before the nights of Simbang Gabi roll in, explain to him what it’s all about. Tell him what’s to be expected, and be enthusiastic about it. Once your child in preschool feels that you’re sincerely looking forward to attending midnight masses, he’s sure to be a lot more curious and open about it.

Make sure your preschool child gets enough rest

If you’re planning to bring your little darling along when you attend Simbang Gabi, you have to make sure that he’s had plenty of rest before you do so. He should have hit the bed considerably earlier than his usual bed time, so that he won’t get cranky when you wake him up to attend mass. It’s hard enough forcing oneself to crawl out of bed in the middle of the night. If you have to do it with only a couple of hours of sleep, it’s definitely more challenging.

Make it a family event

A preschool child generally loves to spend time and engage in activities with those he knows best. That’s why it’s a great idea if you make Simbang Gabi a family affair. This would be particularly easy to do if you already attend regular masses with the whole family anyway.

You can easily introduce the age-old tradition of Simbang Gabi to your preschool child; all you need are a few sensible strategies.

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