Involving Your Child in the Community

It is important to involve your child in the community and teach them about caring for others. There are many ways that children can help around the community to be a functioning member of society. Sometimes children need to be aware that there are people that are less fortunate than they are. Get together as a family and volunteer your time or skills.

How can children help? There are a variety of things that can be done to involve even the youngest of memebrs of the community. You want to make sure that the work your child will be doing is safe and age appropriate. For instance, you would not want a child of any age cleaning toilets at the local jail or a two year old walking the streets picking up trash.

Small children usually do well volunteering their time in local nursing homes. The elderly residents enjoy reading, coloring, singing or just talking to young children. Older children can play games with the elderly residents also. Encourage your child to make cards around the holidays and deliver them to residents that may not have families to visit them. Gift boxes filled with goodies can be collected and delivered for a nice surprise.

Do a family clean up day to improve the environment. Provide gloves and trash bags and clean the streets of the community. Walk around your neighborhood and pick up the litter that others have left behind. Visit the park and pick up any trash that has been left. Plant flowers or trees to improve the look of your neighborhood.

Offer to make meals for families in need. Some families need additional help because of sickness, death/birth in the family, low income or a sudden burden within their life. Encourage your child to help in the meal-making process and take them with you when you deliver the food.

Animal shelters can use volunteers of all ages to help. Children can help feed the animals, walk the animals or simply provide some belly rubs. Encourage your child to gather animal supplies for the shelter. Leashes, food, toys, feeding bowls, cat litter, towels and other items are always needed and welcomed.

Schedule a food drive one weekend and collect as many non-perishable food items as possible. Donate the food to your local food bank, churches or individual families in need.