Share a Smile Day Activities for Home, Work or School

There are many things we can share, but nothing costs so little as a smile, nor does as much to brighten a day. One of the special "holidays" in the month of March is "Share a Smile" day. My challenge to you reader, is to share at least 10 smiles that day, and here are ten ideas for you to use at home, in the office, at school or just about anywhere so you can share your smile. Teachers and parents, use these ideas to incorporate "Share a Smile" Day Lesson plans, what a great follow up to all they learned during National Dental Month, as well as reinforcement for "feelings" lesson plans.

Greet with a smile. As you pass people on the street, the person at the checkout counter or drive thru window, and be surprised by the smile they give you in return.

Share a smile electronically. You can do this alone or with your children. My children climb up on my lap and choose greeting cards from these 10 greeting cards sites . It provides you with quality time with your children; doesn't cost you a thing and you can surprise someone with a smile in their email. Another alternative - send a picture of you or your children smiling, or an event that will make you smile.

Teachers and parents, make a smile collage. Cut out pictures of smiles from magazines and glue them down to create a smiling collage.

Create a smiley face mask. Use a paper plate, paint it yellow, tie a string for the mask and decorate with black poms or buttons for the noise and those wiggly eyes. Draw a smile or use of the ones you cut from the magazines.

Give a smile away. Choose from several items on Oriental Trading.com such as Goofy Smiley Face Stamps, Smile Face Stickers, Mini Smile Face Buttons, Smiley Face Pencils, (you can personalize these with your name, business or school) and Smile Face Erasers. These costs pennies and are a fun surprise for your significant other, friends, family, teenager, coworker or class.

Also on Oriental Trading.com is the Glitter Make a Smile Sticker craft. The kit provides all you need to let your children at home or school create their own smile with different smile, nose and eye choices. Make 12 for $3.29.

Read the book, "Share a Smile (Be Nice) by Frank Berrios, or have older children read it to you.

Create your own Share a Smile Business card. Leave it on a table (preferably with a really great tip too!) or a car windshield. Include a favorite quote or saying, or simply a big smile.

Take smiley face cupcakes into the office and don't tell anyone you did it.

Tape up a funny story, comic or picture in the break room or your cubicle, one that is sure to bring a smile to the face of everyone who reads it. Teachers use the blackboard, your desk or display board.

Make a donation to "The Smile Train" an organization of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals that donate their time to repairing cleft palates, creating a better quality of life for children.

What are the benefits of sharing a smile?

It doesn't cost you anything, not even a penny.

Makes you look more attractive, younger, more confident, and successful.

Get high on a smile. Smiling releases the natural chemical serotonin and endorphins. These help you feel better physically and emotionally.

Smiling reduces stress, increases your immune system and decreases your blood pressure.

So, while for many this is one of those silly holidays on the calendar, why not celebrate it? It's good for you and good for those around you. Share a smile today or any day and be surprised at the smile you get in return. After all, what other activity can you do that is free and has so many benefits? Start your March off with a smile.

Sources:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/573257/the_considerable_benefits_of_a_smile.html?cat=72

http://familycrafts.about.com/library/spdays/blmar1st2.htm