How Can I Teach My Child the Importance of Giving?

Whether, it is a neighbor, the church, their community, their country or the world. If we want to instill giving into their lives, we have to teach them by example. It is very true when they say that a child learns by example.

Children need to know, that to give does not always mean that you have to give money or material items. They need to know that time can be one of the most precious gifts one can give.

We need to start teaching our children when they are very young, how important giving
For the younger child you may want to take them with you if you visit a nursing home, do something for your church or deliver a meal on wheels to an elderly person. Most elderly people love young children and just being in their presence makes them happy.

Older children can donate some time at a local nursing home, hospital, soup kitchen, animal shelter or library. It is good for children to give back to there community, too. A lot of nursing homes have a program called "Adopt a Grandparent Program." They can read to them or just play a game of checkers. This is especially nice for children that do not have grandparents anymore...

They might want to do some thing to help out a neighbor or member from their church. They can help in the yard, do a small task for them or even just take their pet for a walk.
They can send cards or letters of support or thanks to our troops. Even though they will probably not get a response back, our children need to know how much our troops appreciate their cards and letters. As President John F. Kennedy once said "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

They can donate money or material items by collecting from family and friends for a charity such as Salvation Army, Goodwill or United way. Non-perishables foods are always needed at a food bank or soup kitchen. Goodwill and Salvation Army are always helping families that are in need.

Young children can be taught that they can give by donating their old clothes, books and toys to a women's shelter, homeless shelter or goodwill. They can donate their old coats when a coats for kids drive is held. Let the children know how important giving these items will be to someone that has nothing.

If a child gets an allowance or a teen has some sort of a job. They can purchase socks, hats and gloves to give to a shelter. They can save some money and donate it to a charity that helps feed and clothe other children, here at home or in a third world country.

Giving is a wonderful virtue that we all need to instill our children. The fulfillment of giving to others is something they will soon learn and love. An American Psychological Association study found that giving to others is linked to a longer life.