Children and Teens: Volunteer Youth

Service learning programs exist across the United States, encouraging children and teens to learn valuable lessons through service to their community. This article will explain what service learning is, provide information about the different types of service learning programs and explain the educational and social benefits which children gain through their experience with helping others.

ADD? ADHD? Bad grades?ADD impacts classroom behavior, learning. We help teens & families.www.TheFamilySchool.comService Learning SoftwareFull featured for schools, students and partner agencies. Try it free!www.samaritan.comThere are two basic types of service learning programs. In school-based service learning, the program is generally guided by a teacher or other school staff member, with specific educational goals in mind. A science class may participate in a volunteer bird count, a river clean up project or a community garden planting, for example. The service project is meant to reinforce what the students are learning in the classroom.

In community-based service learning, children plan community service projects with the help of organizations outside of the school. These programs also have specific goals which are generally related to the learning of skills such as citizenship, leadership and life skills, through ongoing community service projects.

A school-based service learning effort engages students in planning and preparing community service projects that meet specific community needs. The projects should meet predetermined educational goals.

A community-based service learning project brings youth together outside of the classroom, to plan and develop projects that meet the needs of the community. Community-based programs are usually led by youth-centered community organizations such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or local faith-based organizations. Community-based service learning projects can be either one-time service projects or ongoing projects, which are each planned and implemented differently, in order to meet various community needs.

The benefits of children and teens working together to help others include:

1) Learning and practicing citizenship and understanding the value of helping others

2) Developing planning and organizational skills, work ethics and skills, leadership skills

3) Engaging in specific and real life application of educational goals

4) Learning team work and cooperation

5) Developing negotiation skills

6) Experiencing higher self esteem

7) Increased sense of being connection to the community

The myth that children and teens are not mature enough or responsible enough to plan community service projects is dispelled by the fact that all across the country children and teens are carrying out highly successful community service projects. Visit Learn and Serve America's National Clearinghouse to find a treasury of resources, articles and studies about child-led community service programs in the United States.

Some people also harbor the misconception that children and teens are not interested in helping others. The truth is that children are very motivated to make positive contributions to their communities. When adults encourage and empower them, children benefit greatly from being given the chance to make a difference in their worlds. Read "Teenagers and Community Service: A Guide to the Issues," by Maureen E. Kenny, for further information.