Supporting charities is a great way to help those less fortunate than ourselves. With so many valuable skills to develop (like generosity, selflessness and gratitude), partaking in charity work can be a great learning experience for the whole family. But what about your young children?
If you‘re wondering how to teach your child about charity, here are 5 fun ideas to spark their interest:
1. Discuss what charity means
When we search the definition of charity, Oxford Languages provides us with two definitions:
- ‘an organisation set up to provide help and raise money for those in need.’
- ‘the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need.’
So why is this important?
It’s important because being charitable doesn’t always mean donating to an organisation. There are many ways we can give back, whether that’s visiting someone who feels lonely or unwell, smiling at a stranger or helping with chores and errands.
So whilst the lesson is still centred around helping those in need, it shows our children that they can still be charitable, even if they aren’t old enough to make their own financial contributions.
2. Let them choose a charity
Sometimes, the question isn’t how to teach your child about charity, but rather how to get them excited about giving to charity. A fantastic way to do this is to let your child pick a charity they want to contribute to. Whether that means sponsoring an animal with WWF or donating their old clothes to charities like Bernardo’s, the goal is to find a charity that engages their interest and makes them want to help.
3. Set a positive example
Leading by example is one of the easiest yet most effective ways to teach your child about charity. By simply making a conscious effort to donate to charity shops and food banks, you’re showing your children that being charitable and helping others can be a small but significant part of our everyday lives.
4. Get them involved
Volunteer work is an incredible way to teach your children about charity. Why? Because, unlike most monetary donations, they can physically see how their contribution is making a difference. Plus, it reiterates to your children that they can still help others, even if they can’t afford to make a financial donation.
As we mentioned before, try and find a charity that interests your child. If they love animals, why not volunteer at an animal shelter for the afternoon? Or perhaps go litter picking if they’re enthusiastic about the environment!
5. Have fun fundraising
If you’re looking for more specific suggestions for how to teach your child about charity, then here are some fun fundraising ideas to get you started:
– Host a bake sale
– Run a car wash
– Do a sponsored walk
– Sell old books and toys
– Create a raffle
– Throw a barbecue
– Organise a charity football match
– Host a coffee morning
These events can help show your children that fundraising isn’t only a great way to support those less fortunate, but it can also be a lot of fun.
Be creative
So there we have it, five ways to teach your child about charity!
It’s so important that we help others and give generously, so we hope you feel inspired by our suggestions. Most importantly, we hope you have learnt how to teach your child about charity. The lessons they will learn through partaking in charitable activities are invaluable, and their contributions can truly change lives.
At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.