It is easier to teach a child the concept of charity while they are young. They may not grasp all that charity means, but at least they will be exposed to the idea of helping others. A parent who is involved in charitable giving is teaching by example. Your child will grasp the concept better if the family is making charity a part of how they live. There are many ways to include your young children as your family partakes of charitable activities.

Learn By Doing

Most people, children especially, learn more by doing then by watching or being told. Getting your children involved when it is time to donate outgrown clothes or unused household items is a good way to help them understand charitable giving. You can encourage your child to clean out their closet as you are cleaning out yours. This is the perfect opportunity to explain why you donate items and what it may mean to someone who doesn’t have the money to buy all the items they need. If your child understands that those outgrown clothes and unused toys will benefit another child, they may be more willing to gather their unused items and be happy to donate them to a charitable organization. If your child isn’t ready to part with their toys and doesn’t seem to grasp why it would be a good thing to do, don’t push them. You can have them help you clean out your closet and, when they see you giving away your items, it may be easier for them to part with that unused toy. Always encourage your child no matter how large or small their contribution.

Visit a Charitable Organization

Children like to understand and often ask, “Why?” It may be helpful for their understanding of where their donation goes if you arrange a trip to a local charitable organization where you child can see first hand the process of charitable giving. If your local charity offers special tours, an open house or awareness raising activities, it may be helpful to attend with your child. Taking photographs of their participation and displaying them in picture frames in your home can remind them of the importance of charity and how good they felt when they participated. When children learn at a young age the importance and satisfaction of giving to others, they are very likely to continue their charitable giving.

A Monetary Donation

Not all charitable organizations need donated items; sometimes they need money donations more. You can still teach your child about charitable giving if you encourage him or her to set aside a small portion of their allowance for charity. When your children can choose the organization for their donation, it can mean more to them. Donating money to an animal shelter, if your child loves animals, might be a donation they would be willing to make. Your child will feel very proud if you let him or her make their donation in person; no matter how small, it will be much appreciated. You can even take a photograph of your child making their donation and display it proudly in a picture frame in your home. When your child feels good about making a charitable donation, whether unused items or monetary, that feeling can reinforce their desire to continue giving to charity throughout their life.

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Category: Parenting
Keywords: teaching children responsibility, teaching children values, importance of charity