Compassionate people are always needed, especially in the modern world, and many parents know this.The problem is they do not know what to do or where they should start in raising kind and caring children. When it comes to introducing volunteerism, it should be done as soon as possible.
Dr. Mary Zurn, speaking on the topic of volunteerism, says, “Giving back is an important year-round habit to establish with young children. Volunteering plays an important role in the development of character. It teaches children that they can do things that positively impact the world around them. Even young children can learn to become active participants in their communities.”
When it comes to the holidays, parents can introduce volunteer work in a few different steps:
The parent should consider a holiday that is coming up, and think about what the holiday means to them that they can incorporate into the volunteering. In other words, the parent should think about their personal goals and consider why they want their child to play a part of it. If Thanksgiving is all about eating good food and giving thanks – and the family loves to share food with others – the family can work at a soup kitchen. Nobody should pick something simply because it is easy to do or the organization is just down the road from home.
It is also good to explain to the child why it is important to volunteer, and the different ways in which a volunteer can contribute to their community. The child will have a lot of questions, and the answers should be solid and easy to understand.
The volunteer activities should be appropriate for every member of the family. Volunteering can be done as young as the age of three, but some children may not ready, and this should be taken under consideration. At the age of three, a child is able to follow directions and can enjoy the activities that they
are doing. The parent should keep in mind that a child of that age is not able to conceive of a larger world; to them the world consists of home, school and their neighborhood. The activity should involve rewards for the community closest to them so that they can understand.
The not-for-profit organization used should be family friendly, particularly when it comes to children. If the organization has a poor history of working with children and families, they should be avoided. Can they offer a specific job for a child? Can they help the child see what they are doing?
A passionate child is very likely to grow up to be a loving and helpful adult. In order to help this happen, volunteering should be introduced at an early age, and the holidays are a good time to try. With the steps above in mind, a family can sit down and come up with a plan that works for them.
Submitted by guest blogger Dan Gilbert on behalf of Primrose Schools. Quality educational day care provided through AdvancED® accredited services provides Primrose students with a strong foundation for success. Dan has written a number of articles on topics varying from bilingual learning to teaching the importance of volunteering.
You know what I think?
ALL leaders of the world need to do some volunteer work, spend some time to live the way ‘normal’ people actually live and maybe and do some real travelling! (Getting on and off reserved jets, in and out of beautiful hotels and talking to people on their own level – does not count).
The world would be a better place.