How do you teach your children the importance of charity work?

Help build a foundation of charitable giving for your children and show them that their actions, no matter how small, can make a real difference.
If doing good stuff is important to you, you probably want to share your passion with your family.

Here are some easy ways to teach your children about charity:

Show them that they already do it.

Smiling at someone on the street, holding doors open for people who need a hand or visiting a sick relative is still charity because it warms someone’s heart. Most children already do these things, but they will be pleased to learn that they’re helping out.

Let them choose their own causes.

Suggest some causes to your child and let them choose one that matters to them. Maybe one that their school supports or one that helps children their age!

Make it a family affair.

Lead by example and let them see you drop money into charity boxes, ask them to help you pick out canned foods during a food drive or take them along when you participate in fundraising events. It gives you an opportunity to discuss why it’s important to give and how rewarding it can be. You can also create family traditions by giving to the same cause every year during the holidays or setting up a charity box at home which the whole family can contribute to, then decide together how to use the money.

Teach them the value of time.

With limited financial means it can be hard for children to donate money. Use this as a chance to teach them that they have a much more valuable resource than cash – they have time, which can be just as powerful. Encourage them to help neighbours with small jobs and if they are older, help them to volunteer at local clubs, hospitals and take part in charitable events at school.

Celebrate.

When your children give, tell them that you’re proud of them. Show them pictures and thank you notes from the places they have helped, so they can see the impact and feel appreciated for their contributions.

You got this!