To raise the kind of children that we want it could be a good idea to get them involved in volunteering or supporting a charity of some kind. When I was growing up I used to go to a centre where less abled people lived and I helped by taking them to the shops or for a walk in their wheelchairs, with other adults. They looked forward to going out on a Saturday afternoon and doing something different with people they did not see daily. We also enjoyed giving our time and helping others and it taught us about the benefits of giving without getting anything back. Doing things for others is a key life skill and there are so many benefits. We should encourage children to help others when they can as it will also benefit them too.
What Are The Benefits of Giving?
- Making new friends. It is always good to meet new people and these can be people that work for the charity, are users of the charity and other young volunteers.
- It brings other role models into your child’s life. These role models can be adults who are able to converse with your child in a different way to you and encourage them.
- It makes them realise that they can make a difference to the world and that can make them feel happy and of use.
- It will improve their self-esteem and their self-worth. They will see they are able to make a contribution to life and that they are capable of helping others and being responsible.
These are just a few of the ways helping others can benefit the giver and there are so many other things your child can do in the community such as helping our at a religious dwelling or working in a charity shop or doing bake sales to raise money. Here are some more ideas of volunteering.
Charity begins at home so maybe you do something with your child to get them going. What kind of volunteering would they like to do? Talk about their ideas and start to ask around where help is needed. Does your child help out or volunteer? What benefits do you see for them?
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