Holiday with a Heart: Nurturing Prosocial Motivation on the Road

One of the biggest blessings of being a Malaysian is the long weekends throughout the year. Students and educators alike look forward to the quarterly holidays to rest, recharge and explore. For some, it is an opportunity to return to their hometowns and make up for lost time in the pursuit of career and academic achievements. Others prefer to travel, discover new places and spend quality time with friesnds and family, building everlasting memories. Yet, some use part of their holidays to give back, whether it is tutoring younger children, volunteering for community projects, or lending a hand.

It is also the perfect opportunity for parents to educate through experiences, as learning begins at home. Education is not just about sitting together and reading from books, it happens at every single moment, including making a wholesome breakfast together, watering the plants or understanding unspoken social cues in a public space. These are some examples of prosocial motivation in action – the drive to behave in the manner that benefits others, which can exist in the form of thinking, feeling and behaviour. Studies¹ show that one of the best predictors of high prosocial motivation is having parental modelling and socialisation. Now you may be wondering, “Why is this important?” or “How do I do so as a parent or a caregiver”? Well, think about how different our nation would be if empathy and generosity were nurtured alongside literacy and numeracy, and ways we could intersect the learning of both.

During the holidays, many small yet meaningful moments can leave a lasting impression on a child’s mind. Here are a few practical tips which can be easily practiced then – whether staying at home, travelling nearby or across the globe.

Firstly, we can bring our children on a journey using public transportation. As they learn to navigate routes and learn the stations, they also gain the opportunity to be mindful of the elderly, disabled or pregnant women when using public transportation. If someone is standing, offer them our seat, or help them find a seat nearby. When exiting the train or bus, remember to give space to them as they may struggle to navigate through the crowd. Small gestures like these make a difference in ensuring they travel comfortably.

Prosocial Motivation

Introduce our children to individuals from various backgrounds, through acts like volunteering in a soup kitchen or visiting an orphanage together. Such experiences will help to instill empathy, kindness and inspire a genuine desire to help people in need, while exposing them to life skills such as cooking.

Additionally, we may initiate simple giving traditions, such as passing on clothes or toys that our children do not use anymore to younger friends or relatives. Alternatively, we may find an orphanage near our area and share toys with them and even donate additional resources according to their needs. These gestures help inculcate a habit of giving and foster a mindset of sustainability to care for people and the environment.

Having prosocial motivation is not always about giving something of benefit to others, but also about creating a safe and clean environment. For instance, when visiting the beach, look around for litter, collect it in a bag, and then dispose of it into proper bins. During this activity, share stories about our beautiful earth and the responsibility that we all have to take care of it, with simple ways such as throwing our trash properly. Hands-on experiences like these stimulate all five senses, allowing more effective learning to take place.

Finally, spark creativity while thinking of others by preparing greeting cards. Since children will miss their friends during the holidays, it is a thoughtful way to let others know that they are being remembered. Set aside time at night in the cozy room to prepare small greeting cards. Upon returning from the holidays, encourage your children to personally deliver their cards to their intended recipients. This simple activity nurtures thoughtfulness.

In a fast-paced world where time often feels scarce, holidays present us with rare windows of opportunity, not only to rest and reconnect, but to nurture the values that shape our families. Instilling prosocial motivation does not require elaborate plans or formal lessons; it begins with simple, intentional moments during shared experiences. As we embrace the joy of spending quality time together, let us also embrace the deeper purpose of these moments: raising individuals who care, contribute, and uplift others. After all, the true value of a holiday lies not just in the memories we make, but in the hearts we shape along the way.

About the Author

Nurul Rashidah Mohamed Roseli is a lecturer in the Foundation in Arts programme at the School of Pre-University Studies, Taylor’s College, specialising in counselling psychology.

1 Eisenberg, N., Spinrad, T. L., & Morris, A. S. (2014). “Prosocial Development.” In M. Lamb & R. Lerner (Eds.), _Handbook of Child Psychology and Developmental Science (7th ed.,_ Vol. 3, pp. 610–656). Wiley.

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