Encouraging Volunteerism in Your Children

During the holidays, I reflect on the numerous blessings I have experienced throughout my life. It boggles my mind that I have experienced so much in such a short amount of time. Yes, I have experienced some challenges and had some set backs, but I have been able to create a life that I can say I am proud of. 

One of my usual practices is to participate in some sort of volunteer activity throughout the year. At least one. But usually more. As we continued to add to our family, I became more selective on what I participate in because I want to actually participate and not just say I will participate. I want to be an active participant. I want to pass this volunteerism onto my children. This is a process that has to start early in their development. Just like developing their confidence and supporting them in their interests, demonstrating to them why they should volunteer has to be done. Volunteer activities can support positive characteristics in your children.

Steps in developing volunteerism in children

Step 1

Develop an understanding of their own situation

First, I have to assure that they know that they are blessed and live a comfortable life. They do not get everything they ask for, but all their needs are met. I try to help them understand not everyone has the same home situation or parental situation that they have. We discuss injustices. 

Step 2

Address their mindset

Second, I try to let them decide what they can do for others on a daily basis. How can they impact those around them for the better? 

My husband likes to ask them at dinner two questions: What did they learned today? Who did they helped today? When he started, the helping question received some interesting answers. As time went on, they have become more intentional in seeking out someone during their day who needs assistance and become more direct in what they actually do for the individual. It has created a desire in them to seek someone who needs help during their day. We attempt to turn their focus outside themselves. We are trying to make them less selfish individuals.

Step 3

Know your resources

Third, I have to know my local resources. I have to know who will accept younger volunteers. Or I have to create opportunities for them. I also have to know what will maintain my children’s interest. In doing this, you may receive some push back because volunteering is a lot like working without the paycheck. This is a hard sell to most young people. Many times they are wondering what will they get for themselves out of a situation. Volunteering is not like that. Volunteering takes the focus off of them and shines it on someone else.

What children learn from volunteer activities

Responsibility

As you continue to navigate the years of parenthood, one of your major goals is having your children take on more responsibility. You want them to contribute more in the household and become a major participant in how your home functions. Volunteer activities gives your child a sense of purpose while holding them accountable for their actions. They become responsible for what they give back to others. This type of responsibility is rewarding because they can see a direct effect it has on someone else’s wellbeing.

Communication skills

All relationships are either strengthened or weakened by communication.The more you can have your children practice communicating with a variety of individuals who are from various backgrounds, who are different ages, who may have varied opinions, the better equipped they will be in the area of communication. Children have to discover their own voice and learn who they are as a person, as well as the best ways they communicate. Communication also requires active listening which is a skill that some adults even lack. Addressing the skill of active listening from an early age is beneficial for your children.

Team work

No one can accomplish something great without a team around them. Being able to function in a team is one of life’s greatest challenges. Are you able to excel when working with others or do you prefer to be solo? Sometimes we prefer solitary work because we don’t trust others or we have our own deficits that we do not want others to discover. When a team focuses on one goal, more can be accomplished.

Empathy

Being able to relate to others when they are having a difficult time is a learned. Not making quick judgements based on how a person looks or speaks also has to be learned especially if the person is different than you are. Interacting with individuals based on them being a person who is worthy of care and respect is a crucial skill that children need to see demonstrated in front of them. Hopefully they are able to mirror the positives that they see and support those around them.

Selflessness

Giving of yourself is difficult to do. Society wants us to focus on ourselves and let others be concerned with their own progress. But we have to care about each other. We are all connected. We have to be able to give of ourselves to be able to push someone else forward. Children have to learn how to make sacrifices for others. This does not mean that they do not care about themselves. It means that they think enough of themselves to reach out from their own situation and assist someone succeed as well.

Volunteer activities for children

• Reading to others– Children need to practice their reading and reading comprehension. Reading to someone else is excellent for the person being read to and the reader themselves.
• Teaching someone a new skill– Does your child excel at a skill or sport? They could teach someone else how to perform the activity. Your child can find some joy in the activity and create that same enjoyment for someone else.
• Gathering new supplies to donate– You may be surprised to hear what situations your children care about. There have been some great donation drives that have been started by children. Your child could gather something from individuals they know in order to support others who are in need.
• Giving gently used items to donation location– Getting items and clothes organized is an on going process as children grow. Get your child involved in the process by having them take out what is not needed anymore but could be used by someone else.
• Helping out a neighbor with yard work, car washing, pet care– Being neighborly is not done as often as it has been in the past; however some neighborhoods are still close knit. Your child could help a neighbor out with some sort of task around their home on a volunteer basis.

Resources for volunteer activities for children

Check out the websites below to locate volunteer activities in your community that would be great from your children and yourself

http://redcrossyouth.org/scholarships/be-a-volunteer/

https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/near-you/youth-programs

https://www.humanesociety.org/volunteer

https://www.dosomething.org/us

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• What do you think when you see young volunteers?
• Is volunteering something you do with your own children?
• Do you volunteer?

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