DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Teaching Kids Money Management through Giving Back
Hello, fellow parents! Today, I'd like to share my family's adventure in teaching our kids about giving back through donating and volunteering. It's so important to help our children develop a sense of empathy and generosity, and I'm excited to share the steps we took to achieve this goal.
The Value of Generosity
Our journey began by discussing the importance of generosity. We talked about how giving back can make a difference in the lives of others and why it's essential to help those in need. I shared my own experiences with giving and explained how it made me feel happier and more fulfilled.
Generosity doesn't always need to extend to strangers. We always tried to make sure we remembered our extended family in our volunteering effort. Using a bit of our savings to buy a carnation for grandma or popping by in the spring to help grandpa with his garden were also ways we encouraged our kids to share with others.
Choosing a Cause or Charity
Next, we moved on to choosing a cause or charity to support. Together, we researched different organizations and talked about the issues that mattered most to each of us. My kids were excited to find charities that aligned with their interests, which made the experience even more meaningful for them.
Over the years, our family focused our efforts on the following charities:
- World Vision
- Red Cross
- local SPCA (where all of our pets came from)
Our favourite project was saving up for a whole year to purchase a water buffalo for a village. We named her George -- we have no idea what the village named her!
Ways to Donate (Time, Money, Items)
Once we had chosen our causes, we explored different ways to give back. We discussed how donating money can help support a charity's work, and we also talked about the impact of donating items, such as clothes, toys, or food. Additionally, we looked into volunteering our time and discovered local opportunities that allowed us to get involved and make a difference firsthand.
Our favorite opportunity was always the local community centers spring clean up and community garage sale. We'd bring by bottles, tidy up trash from the park and set up a lemonade and craft kit stand for the community garage sale. Profits from our stand went towards the community centers goal of building a new community hall (which was finally completed a couple years back!)
The Impact of Giving
As we embarked on our giving journey, we made sure to reflect on the impact of our actions. We celebrated the positive changes we were making in the lives of others and acknowledged the personal growth we experienced through our acts of generosity. This reinforced the value of giving back and inspired my children to continue their efforts.
Throughout this process, I watched my kids transform into compassionate and empathetic individuals who understood the importance of giving back. It was a heartwarming and empowering experience for our entire family. So, fellow parents, I encourage you to take this journey with your little ones – teach them the joy of donating and volunteering, and help them develop a lifelong commitment to making the world a better place. Happy giving!