Encouraging kids to give back to their community

Teaching children to give back to their community helps foster a sense of empathy, gratitude and understanding that not all families have the same access to food, clothing and shelter. It's an important lesson for kids to learn early on.

"Giving back helps children understand that their contributions can have a meaningful impact on others," says Sara Loftin, LPC-S, RPT-S, Clinical Therapist at Children's Health℠.

Loftin recommends families find ways to give back throughout the year – not just during the holidays. This can help increase the chances of raising a kind and generous child.

How to get kids excited about giving back

Getting kids excited about community service can make the experience more enjoyable and meaningful for them. Here are some tips to make giving back fun:

• Make it personal. Let your child choose causes that are meaningful to them, whether it's animals, the environment, or helping other kids. This will make them feel more connected to the cause.
• Set achievable goals. Start with small tasks, such as collecting canned goods or organizing a toy drive at school. These goals give children a sense of accomplishment.
• Incorporate creativity. Encourage your child to think of creative ways to give back, such as baking treats for a bake sale, making art for hospital patients, or organizing a fundraiser.
• Turn it into a family activity. When giving back becomes a family affair, it can feel like a fun tradition. Consider volunteering together, starting a family project, or making a habit of donating time or resources regularly.
• Celebrate the impact. After completing a service activity, talk with your child about how their actions helped others. This reinforces the positive feelings associated with giving back. Discussing the act of kindness also helps integrate the event into your child's memory, increasing the likelihood they will engage in giving back in the future.

Ways kids can give back

Involving kids in community service can be both simple and impactful. Helping children give back shifts a child's focus from selfishness to selflessness. This can improve a child's prosocial behaviors, including compassion and understanding. Here are several ways you can help your child start giving back to those in need:

• Donate toys or gifts. Encourage your child to participate in toy drives or select gifts for children in need. You can find opportunities through organizations like the United Way, VolunteerMatch or here at Children's Health.
• Volunteer at a local shelter. Serving meals or assisting at a shelter can teach children about the struggles others face and build empathy. Talk to your kids about what it might be like for those who may not have regular access to food or shelter.
• Donate gently used items. Have your child select toys or clothes they no longer use to donate to local shelters or to children in the hospital. If your child is having trouble parting with something, ask your child to imagine the joy their toy could bring to another child.
• Participate in a food or clothing drive. Community drives offer an easy way for kids to get involved in helping others by collecting items for donation.
• Foster an animal. If your family loves animals, consider fostering a pet from a shelter. It teaches responsibility, compassion and provides a temporary home for an animal in need.
• Clean up litter. Organize a neighborhood or park cleanup day. Picking up trash helps beautify the community while teaching kids the importance of taking care of the environment.

Ways to give to Children’s Health

As a not-for-profit pediatric health care system, we depend on your generosity to make life better for children. Help us continue to do what we do best by donating, advocating or volunteering. Learn more.