Teach kindness: why instill in a child an interest in volunteering and how to do it

Why is it important to teach children to help others?

While volunteering does not involve financial rewards, it does have other valuable benefits. The child will expand his social circle and try himself in different industries - in the future, such experience may be useful when choosing a profession. Taking care of others can also help children develop empathy and become more responsible. At school, the child does not have much freedom - the schedule of lessons and their topics are planned by adults. And in the case of volunteering, he himself can choose the project and tasks that he is ready to perform.

In addition, volunteering gives parents an excellent opportunity to talk with their child on social issues. It will be easier for you to explain that not all people are in the same conditions, and it is important to help those who face difficulties. Some parents avoid such topics because they seem difficult. But children still sooner or later understand that people are different - for example, a child can see a person in a wheelchair on the street. Volunteering will help to understand that such things are not a reason for ridicule, because anyone can face a disability.

How to get your child involved in volunteering

1. Teach good deeds from an early age

It is difficult to expect great help from small children, but you can cultivate kindness in them. For example, discuss with your child if they would like to help take the clothes they grew out of to a charity. Tell your child that everyone needs support sometimes and help others with him. You can start small: offer to carry bags to an elderly neighbor or hold the door for a woman with a stroller.

Explain your actions. For example, you can say that you will come home later after work because you need to take medicine to your grandfather or babysit your friend. The child must understand why you act in a certain way. If possible, invite him to join you - for example, visit your grandfather together.

2. Consider the interests of the child

If he loves animals, offer to take food and toys to a shelter for stray cats and dogs. Just remember to call the organization in advance and clarify what exactly they need. And if the child is interested in history, look for where archaeological excavations are taking place. They often recruit volunteers. Children can be entrusted with feasible tasks - for example, touching the ground in search of ancient artifacts.

Teenagers are able to take on projects more difficult. For example, to participate in the organization of sports events and concerts. There are other options for helping - you can plant trees in the yards or participate in the improvement of memorable places. The elderly also need support. They can not only help with the housework, but also just call so that a person does not feel lonely.

3. Participate in volunteer projects with the whole family

It will be easier to convince children of the need for volunteering if you set a personal example. It is desirable that this was not a one-time action, but regular participation in projects. For example, some foundations offer to write letters to lonely elderly people - invite the child to add something of himself. You can join volunteer garbage collection in nature.

If your family donates money to a charity, tell your child about it and offer to contribute out of pocket. Let him choose the purpose for which the money will go, and determine the amount. Explain that there are no small donations. Even one ruble is a lot if a million people donate. But it is important not to insist on good deeds - in this way the desire to help may disappear from the child.

4. Attend charity events

Performances, festivals and master classes will allow the child to understand that helping is not only useful, but also interesting. So, at charity fairs you can buy sweets, souvenirs, toys and other things, and the proceeds the organizers will transfer to good deeds - for example, to an operation on a sick child or to help a shelter for animals. In addition, at such events there is an opportunity to communicate with representatives of NGOs who will talk about their activities.

And you can not only visit fairs, but also take part in their preparation. Invite your child to bake pies together or make crafts that you will sell to visitors. So he can do his part to support those who are faced with a difficult situation.

5. Help me choose the right organization

If a teenager wants to volunteer, help them choose a trusted charitable foundation. For example, on the street you can often see young people who collect donations from passers-by. Often, unscrupulous organizations stand behind them, and the money received goes not to charity, but to the pockets of scammers. Therefore, it is better not to cooperate with such companies.

It is important that the fund has a transparent system for distributing money and that it regularly publishes reports on its projects. On the website of a reliable organization you will find the charter, registration documents, phone numbers and addresses. Also, study the foundation's social networks - they should contain live photos from events, not stock shots. Get to know the representatives of the organization in person - this can be done at the events held by the fund.

Minor to participate in volunteer projects need written permission from parents. And if the child is not yet 14, then parents or legal representatives must accompany him to charity events.

6. Notice your child's efforts

If the child has done a good deed, pay attention to this and encourage his efforts. You don’t need to praise the child just like that, because then he will constantly wait for approval from the outside, but if he really tries, be sure to celebrate it.

It is important for any person to know that his efforts were not in vain, so share with your child the results of his actions. For example, if he donated money, show him the charity fund report. Explain that these funds went to the operation of a seriously ill baby or bought food for homeless animals. When a child understands that his actions lead to a positive result, this will be the best incentive to continue participating in volunteer projects.