In this day and age, young people are increasingly encouraged to focus on themselves. With the media and our culture at large constantly sending such messages, it’s important to teach children to care about the welfare of others instead of concentrating solely on their own satisfaction. Here are just a few ways to go about it.
Volunteer With Your Kids
There are plenty of kid-friendly was for children and adults to volunteer together. You can visit a nursing home to cheer up elderly patients, or to an animal shelter to help wash rescued animals.
Take Them To Charity Events
Events like charity runs and walks, bake sales, dinner nights, and dances are fun ways to get your kids involved. Make sure that they understand the reason behind the event, and that their involvement will help the cause.
Talk About Current Events
Disasters like the earthquakes and war can seem like heavy conversation for a child. Our first instinct is to try to shield our children from suffering. However, having discussions about current events can help develop your child’s level of compassion. Discuss with them what is going on in a current crisis, and possible ways that you and your child can help the situation. For example, you can say something like, “There is a war going on in a country called Syria. Sometimes wars happen when two countries can’t agree on something. I thought we could talk about some ways to help the people who have lost their homes because of it.”
Teach Them To Give
If you give your child allowance, teach them the importance of giving to those less fortunate than them. You can take them to donate through their church, synagogue, animal shelter, or any other local organization. UNICEF is a great charity to give to as well.
Be An Example
The most important way for you to teach your children about charity is to be an example yourself. Demonstrate acts of kindness to people, such as helping an eldery couple rake leaves, or baking for a service man or woman. Actively demonstrate charity in your own day to day life.
These are just a few ways you can raise your children to be compassionate. Doing so can help them to live a richer, fuller life.