We don’t have to teach our children to be narcissistic; they do a very good job
of that naturally on their own. Our job as parents is to set a great example,
being involved in community service ourselves, and ushering our children into
a life of giving. Children who are involved in community service tend to have a
much better awareness of the world around them and a greater understanding
of the plight of others. Community service also helps children learn how to
work together with others for one common purpose. When kids participate in
the community, they are no longer focused inward, but outward and become
an integral part of a team.
When to Get Kids Involved
Exposing kids to community service ventures from an early age is best. I started
taking my three children with me to the nursing home when the youngest was
just two. We would go play bingo, read stories, hold hands and sing songs. It
was two hours out of our week, a minimal investment for sure, and for the
kids and It became the best two hours. We all looked forward to going to the
home and visiting. We made friends, lost friends and developed a greater
appreciation for the elderly. My children continue to work alongside me on
a variety of community service projects each year. Although they sometimes
complain, they always have fun and have very fond memories. All of my
children are sensitive to other people, and I believe that their early volunteer
experience has made them more accepting and tuned in to the needs of others.
As a parent, I feel that we owe it to our children to show them the bigger
world, even though it is sometimes sad, it is the real world and the place that
they will one day live in as an adult.
Community Service Project Ideas
There are number community service activities that are well suited for children
and families. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does represent
the fact that there are many ways that children can serve others in their
communities.
- Plant a garden and give food to the hungry
- Beautify local parks and green spaces
- Pick up litter
- Make Christmas gifts for nursing home residents
- Volunteer at the local library
- Collect winter coats for children
- Fill backpacks with school supplies for children
- Take a Christmas tree and presents to a needy family
- Write letters to service men and women
- Clean a neighbors yard who can not do it themselves
- Bake cookies for local shut in’s
- Participate in National Youth Service Day in April
- Host a recycling fair
- Help children in the neighborhood learn to read
- Bake bread on National Bread Day in November and deliver it door to door
- Hold a carnival for needy kids in your neighborhood
Be Creative
Encourage children to come up with community service activities of their own.
It is amazing when a child is passionate enough about something to want to
help. Work side by side with your children to make your community a brighter
place and you will have done your children a tremendous service in teaching
them valuable life skills.
About the Author: Susan Patterson is a freelance writer and a homeschooling
mother. She is an advocate for community service and writes frequently for a
variety of family and health sites. She recently finished an article about the
out to more people in need.
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