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Tips To Help A Child Live More Charity-Oriented
by Liam Marven
http://www.funcharity.com
Is your child ready to understand the importance of charity
giving? Some children are more ready than others to grasp
the importance of charity. To a large extent, the child s
readiness begins at home where charity can be introduced in
stages. For example, a two-year-old can understand some
elements of charity giving such as sharing and caring. As
adults, we conceptualize this as compassion. However, to a
child, these thoughts are stepping-stones to becoming more
charity-minded. The more that a child can be exposed to
these qualities, the more the child and the world will
benefit.
Many children have a naturally limited and idyllic view on
how the world works. This starting point works well to
introduce charity-minded traits. Some tips for helping grow
charity-oriented behavior is listed below:
1. Modeling means charity begins at home. How you decide
to share your value of giving sets the stage for how your
children will model your behavior. Many times children
begin giving behaviors after copying yours and then form an
internalized set of beliefs and self motivation. Some ways
you can model this behavior for a child is to pick one
charity during a holiday each year and make a point of
letting your child see you donate items, gifts or cash. As
the child gets older, involve the child in the decision
process. When you show that charity giving is worthwhile,
children see first-hand that charity is worth offering.
2. Discuss charity in a way a child understands. This may
mean brainstorming to dispel fears and mystery. A child's
mind expands about charity the more that your discuss it.
For example, a young child can discuss brief ideas for a
short time while an older child can explore global society.
Find times that open the doors to these discussions such as
after a disaster. These discussions also relieve a child's
thoughts about these issues and help a child focus on
positive ways to help. Charity Navigator
(www.charitynavigator.com) is one source for locating a
charity.
3. Charity giving is cathartic and promotes social
development. When a child is involved in charity, he is not
only helping someone else but he is also strengthening his
ability to show compassion. Child development studies show
that partaking in charity leads to higher-level thinking and
greater creativity. Children who actively participate in
charities also tend to hold higher moral standards, more
self-confidence and are more self-reliant.
4. Brief discussions and discussions relevant to the
child's age and development have a greater long-term impact.
"Bloom's Taxonomy" explains how children go through
different levels of cognitive thinking as they age. The
mind fostering questions that you send to your child should
be presented according to that child's stage. Use concepts
and words that fit that child's cognitive thinking. For
example, would you ask your child to propose charities that
best match a global society before asking your child if he
knows what a charity does and who a charity is trying to
aid? For a young child, begin with several well written
books, such as "Berenstain Bears: Think of Those In Need"
and "Bear In The Big Blue House: Everybody's Special".
5. The American Dream asks everyone to help those in need
and treat everyone as special human beings. The American
society is especially philanthropic. According to the
Catalogue for Philanthropy, the top states that rate high on
the charitable index are Mississippi (first place),
Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The index measures the
amount of discretionary income given to charities.
Giving to charity is great lesson in reality - there are
times when everyone needs help. The sooner that a child
starts to learn the importance of sharing, giving and
participating in charity the better off the future of the
world is for everyone.
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