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Religious Books/Guardian Angel Pins/Cross Pins/Necklaces Prayer Doormats |
In the book Raising Charitable Children, Weisman talks about a grandmother of three who, when asked what she wanted for her birthday, told her grandchildren to "Do something for someone else, draw a picture of what you did, and then tell me the story. "See more Books on Kindness & Giving Back
Teach Children to Give Back!
Do you encourage your child to do good deeds for others? Giving back by helping persons or organizations in need teaches empathy and compassion. Families (and kids) can make a difference without it necessarily being a big time commitment or expense.
Lead by example
"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." (Clarence Budinton Kelland). Children mimic what we do, so if you want your children to do good deeds and give back, begin by doing it yourself.
Discuss and understand the cause
Talk with children about what is going on in the world, in your community and family. Research different charitable organizations which may need your help and discuss why they need YOUR help. Use age appropriate books to help them understand (i.e. if you are looking at donating to a cancer cause, make sure your child understands what cancer is and what they could do with the donation).
Provide examples
Read books or discuss news stories of children or families who donated, did good deeds and the impact it had. (See below for books about kindness & generosity)
Decision Making and Ownership:
It is important that children have ownership in their charitable choices. Let them determine the cause and brainstorm ways in which they would like to respond. Let them choose if they want to give their toys, clothes, time, or money.
Child-friendly giving back ideas that parents can suggest:
Donate outgrown clothes or unused toys, or sell the items at a garage sale or resale shop. Donate the proceeds.
Select one or more canned food items from your kitchen or at the grocery store to donate to a local food pantry. Then, take the food to the pantry yourselves. If your child can't go with you, tell them of your experience (i.e. where the food pantry was located, looked like, and if they expressed appreciation for your donation).
Hold a lemonade or kool-aid sale on a hot day and donate a portion of the proceeds.
Walk the neighbors dog and donate a portion to a charity for animals.
The Girls Scouts or Boys Scouts periodically collect food or supplies, if your child doesn't belong to these organizations, allow your child to pick out the items to donate when the collection occurs.
Set aside a small amount of allowance, birthday or holiday money for donation. Even if it is a very small amount.
Host a birthday party (for the organization) or a carnival and donate toys or proceeds. Kids love this because they can have fun while doing a good deed! See Birthday Theme Ideas or Carnival Ideas and Supplies Make sure invitations let guest know your cause.
Host a talent show, puppet show, movie night, book night for the neighborhood, family or class. See the section titled Show Off Your Talents on this link
Start a penny jar for loose change. Turn it into a game to see how many loose pennies can be found in the house or car. When change is received from a store purchase, add it to the jar to encourage the savings.
Play hide the penny (or dollar) game. Hide the money in a room of the house. If the child finds it, they can add to the donation jar.
Grow hair long to donate to an organization that cuts and uses the hair to make wigs for cancer patients.
Donate to a church collection basket, and allow the child to put the money in the basket themselves.
Visit an elderly Grandma, Aunt or neighbor who needs a companion (charity begins at home). Have your child bring a game or cards to play. Giving time and companionship can be mean more than all the money in the world!
For children old enough to babysit, have them babysit for a single working mom so she can have some free time.
Host a bingo at your house, let your child call the numbers. Attendees can donate to the child's favorite cause.
Have the child or family cook a meal and take to a senior or single parent.
Be a server/helper at a holiday or birthday party. Donate your time or tips to a charity.
Collect books from family or friends for a reading literacy group.
Get a buddy or another family member and make a challenge as to who can raise or donate the most in a week or month.
Collect food or toys for an animal shelter.
Encourage
Although adults don't need recognition for our good deeds, young children may need encouragement. Therefore, you may want to share your child's charitable giving stories with grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends so they can encourage them too. A new hairbrush (if they choose to donate hair), or a new bank (if they want to save pennies) are also options for encouraging children towards their goal.
Follow the donation to the end:
If a child cannot take their donation to the organization themselves, have them address the envelope, put the stamp on it or go to the post office. If it's an on line donation, show pictures on the web site. It's helpful for them to see where their time or money went.
Looking for a charitable organization that needs your help?
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Explain Your Cause........ Provide Examples of Good Deeds........Raise Money...........Encourage |
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