| There seems to be a generalized opinion that kids and | | | | others while demonstrating to your children that doing |
| teens in America are selfish and spoiled. While this | | | | good things for the sake of doing good things can give |
| might be true of some kids, it doesn't have to be true | | | | you a feeling of joy and satisfaction. |
| of yours. By setting a good example, talking about | | | | Simple Projects Naturally you'll want to match your |
| people, animals and things that need help, exposing | | | | caring project with the age of your child or children. For |
| your child to charitable opportunities and stressing the | | | | kids who haven't started school yet, consider activities |
| importance of community, you can raise children who | | | | that involve picking things up or sorting things out. |
| are empathetic, giving and kind. | | | | Recycling projects are good for preschool age |
| The Most Important Role Model - You It is nearly | | | | children. |
| impossible - not to mention not fair - to expect your | | | | Six- through nine-year olds enjoy collecting things for |
| child to be caring and charitable if you are not acting | | | | donation, picking up litter at parks and beaches, and |
| that way yourself. On the other hand if your children | | | | making arts and crafts for worthy causes. |
| see you donating canned goods to a food drive, | | | | Once kids get older they can do more planning and |
| clothes to a thrift shop and toys to needy children at | | | | promoting events. Volunteering at an animal shelter, |
| Christmas time, they are more likely to think of doing | | | | after school clubs or a senior center can be a rich and |
| good deeds as the "norm". They'll see volunteering as | | | | rewarding experience for teens and tweens alike. |
| just something that should be done and giving as the | | | | There are many websites online that can match your |
| only way to be. | | | | children with age-appropriate volunteer opportunities. |
| Talk About Worthy The opportunity for charity is | | | | Caring DIY Style Eventually your child will bring up an |
| everywhere. Depending on the age of your children | | | | issue or cause that touches them. At this point it is |
| you can talk about those who need our help - be it | | | | important, even vital, that you encourage your child to |
| abandoned pets, the environment or families living in | | | | do something to help while you support in any way |
| poverty. If your children are in their teens, you can | | | | that you can. |
| watch news programs and international reports | | | | All over the news are stories of kids from six to |
| showing how desperate the needs of many are in this | | | | college that have collected pennies for clean drinking |
| world. Caring doesn't have to be done in big ways only. | | | | water in Africa, schools for children in impoverished |
| Little acts of kindness make a large difference and | | | | countries, a neighborhood playground, protecting the |
| you should be sure to let your children know that. | | | | rainforests and on and on. Everywhere kids are doing |
| Holding the door open for someone, picking up | | | | big things and the one thing they all have in common is |
| something someone dropped for them, smiling at | | | | someone believed in them and supported them. Be |
| someone who looks like they are having a bad day, | | | | that someone for your children. |
| these are all tiny ways you can improve the lives of | | | | |