Talking values with your children is important from a young age. Children have an innate understanding of community because of the way they interact with their peers at school. Do them a favour and help them to understand simple social rules – being nice is usually reciprocated! This is true of “giving” as well, as the giver gets a good feeling from being able to give.
It’s also very empowering for children to feel like they can make a difference in the world – and they can!
Talk to your children about how helping others makes us all feel like part of a community. By making children aware of this sense of community, they will realise that the important things in life are found in meaningful relationships, not in things or material possessions.
Explain to children that you feel good when you help others. As daily situations arise, discuss them with your children and explain that we all help each other. Use concrete examples from children’s everyday life such as:
- help to pick up toys and pack away
- help to sort laundry
- help lay the dinner table
- share toys/possessions with friends
- Look for opportunities at school such as “extra sandwich day” that can prompt a discussion with your children.
- Take them to local “firefighter” volunteer days, so they can see the value (and fun!) in volunteering
Try to emphasise the humanness of need when talking about these issues with your children. It’s very easy to “other” people who are poor or who have less than us. Instead of glorifying the noble deed of giving, rather encourage children to see that their giving (of their time, effort, pocket money etc) is part of a larger cycle of giving in the community and taking care of those in need, which also has a reciprocal reward.
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