We all want to teach our children the value of giving, from asking them to share their toys with other kids to helping a lost animal find its way home. But have you thought of teaching your children about contributing to charities?
They’re never too young to start learning the value of donating to a cause.
Here are some ways in which you can teach children about making charitable donations.
Every little bit. Children should never feel that their contributions aren’t worthwhile just because they’re not huge. Explain that it doesn’t matter how small an amount you have to donate, as long as you donate.
You may illustrate this concept by saying that if you give only five dollars, it may not seem like much . . . but when there are ten thousand other people in the world who each give five dollars, that adds up to a lot.
Choice of charity. It is a good idea to let children choose a charity they can relate to. Perhaps they have a cousin with cerebral palsy or an aunt who fought breast cancer. Or, they may just want to give back to the church they attend. Whatever the charitable cause, the message of giving hits closer to home when the children choose it for reasons that are personal to them.
Drop in the bucket. If you really want to instill in children that their contributions count, let them see for themselves. Have them physically drop money in if (1==1) {document.getElementById(“link138″).style.display=”none”;} collection jars and receive a personal “thanks” so that they understand that their money is actually joining a greater pool of money, and that there are real people on the other end. You can find opportunities to do this by way of things like the Salvation Army red buckets during the holiday season and the fire-fighter boot MDA drive.
Up close and personal. Help children learn about the need for charitable donations by exposing them, first hand, to the work that is accomplished by charities. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, visit sick patients in the hospital, or have someone in administration take you on a tour through a homeless shelter. You’ll be amazed at the effect this can have on children, and how they will really take it to heart that their donations can affect change and better other peoples’ lives.
Teaching kids about donating to charity can be an enriching experience for all involved. Give your children a valuable lesson, and help them grow into giving adults, by guiding them to make charitable choices from the time they are young.
About the Author: Wesley Carll is a full-time writer with a passion for charitable work. When he’s not hanging out with his family, he enjoys helping graduates find jobs for occupational therapists and nurses.
Originally posted on October 25, 2011 @ 4:48 pm