I’m sure you’ve watched the “I ate all of your Halloween Candy” prank parents played on their kids. Among all the yelling and screaming, I’ve noticed most of them saying, “If you were hungry, It’s OK!”
Makes you wonder whether it’s an instinctual characteristic since we see so many toddlers enjoy sharing and giving what they love to someone else. However, as caring adults and parents, we need to plant the seed of generosity in them wishing to raise socially conscious children.
One of the essential concepts they need to learn these days is donation and charity. It might be easier said than done! Many parents tend to avoid bringing it up since they are worried about making their kids depressed. However, raising kids unaware of the world and their significant role in changing it is even more depressing!
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Why Should We Teach Children About Charity?
Alongside teaching children about charity and donation, they learn other concepts like empathy with money, gratefulness, kindness, etc.
In addition, they’ll feel better about themselves when they realize their simple act of donating makes notable changes. Bear in mind that the sooner you introduce it, the faster they’ll learn.
Nevertheless, it becomes more and more tricky to talk about donation when tragedies like the Ukraine war happens.
If you are seeking a proper way to involve your children in giving back without overwhelming them with the horrors happening in the world, you’ve come to the right place.
YounGo Money is here to give some tips on how to do it!
What Is a Charity?
Take your time and start simple. Use everyday examples to familiarize them with charity. Point out how impactful it was when they helped their little brother climb up the stairs the other day. Or last week when they shared their lunch with a classmate who hadn’t brought anything.
Explain how our little acts of kindness can make someone happy.
When you realize they’re ready, you can mention that there are some organizations whose job is to help others. Some help animals, others support sick people, children, or even our environment like forests.
Then put a spotlight on the good in the bad.
Why We Give Money to Charities
We all know that it’s impossible to shield our children from hearing about the disasters that happen every day. Instead, you can explain how our donations to charities can ease the pain of these tragedies. For instance, if they are sad about seeing people living on the streets, you can make them understand how happy a homeless child would be after hearing that s/he finally has a place to live. And this is all possible with our help.
That’s why people choose to donate money to charities; based on a charity’s purpose, our donations can help them build shelters for animals, send children to schools, provide houses for immigrants, etc.
After they learn the basics and vitality of charity, donation and helping others, you should make the donating process a habit for them.
We Recommend the following methods to teach your child to be more charitable.
#5 Tips for Raising a Generous Child
Be Their Shining Example
The first stage of learning is seeing. That proves that if your children see you modelling the giving behaviour, they’ll learn it faster. However, according to recent studies, only being a role model is not enough. It would be best to talk about what you did and why you did it to your kids. You can have a casual conversation with them and say, “Every month, I donate a certain amount to a charity to support them”. Then explain your reasons. At the end of the conversation, ask them if they like to join you for the next donation.
Don’t Cut the Human Connection
Even if you successfully persuade your kids to donate, they still may have trouble understanding what poverty is. Experts believe that kids are more willing to help when they feel their help is needed. It would be harder to ignore someone in need when we feel their pain. Some organizations make it possible for donors to visit the families they are helping. There are also some school programmes introducing successful people who lived in poverty and now are having a better life with the help of charities. Keeping these connections between children and the people in need will make it easier for them to determine why supporting charities are vital.
It’s Not About Money
Your kids can take part in volunteering opportunities. These situations help them have fun, learn through action and support charities.
Help them find one based on their interest and talent. Donating something rather than money makes it more personal. That way, children feel more committed to the things they are supporting. It will also make helping others a part of their personalities.
#3 Envelopes
If you give your children weekly or monthly allowance or money for doing chores, you can play #3 envelopes with them. Ask them to craft #3 envelopes in different colours; for example, blue, yellow and red.
Tell them to separate their money for saving, spending, and helping others. Help them in deciding the amount for each pocket.
Make it Personal
If your children have some toys they don’t play with or clothes that they don’t wear, you can them stories about the changes they can make by donating them. The teddy bear you played with when you were #5 can now travel to another city or country and be another kid’s best friend. Or that yellow raincoat that used to keep you warm can now make someone else happy.
Top Five UK Charities
The charities we mention here have done a great job helping kids and raising awareness. We also directly align with these charities and believe in the same things.
- MyBnk
- The Money Charity
- Lifesavers
- Young Enterprise
- The Centre for Financial Capability
Wrap Up
Although teaching young children about Charity can be a tough row to hoe, it is not impossible.
Using our methods and tips and how you manage to do it based on your children’s personalities can help you achieve your goal.
