One of your many responsibilities as a parent is to make sure your children grow to become kind, compassionate adults. An important aspect in achieving this is to teach them the importance of giving to charity and being charitable. Here are some ways you can teach giving fundamentals to kids who are first learning to give.
Tips for Teaching Giving to Children
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Have a Conversation About Giving to Charity
The first step towards your children understanding charity is simply having a conversation with them. Tell them about the importance of helping others, the good feeling you get inside your heart when you are charitable, and ask them if they can think of any ways that they can give to others. Listing off examples of various ways that they can give, and the types of things that they can give can also help paint the picture for them.
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Ask Them Where They Want to Give
When teaching giving to children, it is important to let them have a say in how they donate. If you force them to give back, it is going to send the wrong message; rather, help them understand their potential impact and why giving is a good thing to do so they’ll want to partake in the act of giving on their own. By allowing them to decide where, what, and how they want to give, you’ll teach them that they have agency over how they donate their time, talent, and treasure to charity. However, if they can’t think of anywhere to donate to, try to show them examples of ways to be charitable that appeal to their interests. For example, if they really like animals, you can look up what donations your local animal shelter is currently seeking.
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Make Giving Back a Parent-child Activity
Another important aspect of teaching giving to children is leading by example by being a charitable role model. For example, when putting together a bag of items to donate, show your kids what you’re going to donate and explain why you’re donating it. Then, you can help them go through their own clothes or toys while explaining the joy their old items of good quality can bring to those less fortunate. They’ll quickly understand the value of giving and better understand what types of goods are suitable to donate.
When you and your children are ready to begin giving back, The Mustard Seed of Central Florida is an excellent place to start.
Teach Giving at The Mustard Seed of Central Florida
The mission of The Mustard Seed of Central Florida Furniture and Clothing Bank is to help rebuild the lives of families and individuals who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy by providing household furnishings and clothing while being environmentally responsible to our community. Consider donating your funds, furniture, or time by calling us today at (407) 875-2040.
