Fundraising and 3 Other Ways To Teach Children About Charity

Children are easily impressionable, so there’s no better time than now to teach them about charitable efforts. Contrary to what many believe, it shouldn’t take too much effort (or money) to teach kids about the concept of charity.

From fundraising to simply using positive reinforcement to teach kindness, here are four ways to introduce charitable acts to your little ones.

1. Make Fundraising a Family Affair

If you want them to be passionate about charity for the long term, a fundraising program with a specific goal is a good place to start. Choose a program that raises funds for education, as it’s easy for them to understand the importance of going to school.

For instance, Paul Esterhuizen’s School-Days program lets South African residents raise education funds for their chosen beneficiaries. They can do this by simply shopping at the program’s partners. At the same time, they earn exclusive member discounts and promotions.

Leading by example is also another way to teach your child about charity. When planning a small fundraising event, ask them about their interests. By doing so, you allow them to realize which causes seem the most attractive to them.

2. Show the Importance of Giving Time

The Charities Aid Foundation recommends volunteering as one way to teach children about charity. The idea of giving time can send a powerful message to children that being charitable doesn’t always involve money.

Similar to fundraising, you should also ask your children about what they enjoy doing the most. In this way, volunteering won’t seem like a chore—like when you ask them to clean their rooms.

Parents can start doing this as soon as their child turns at least three years old, according to Make-A-Wish America. Children begin to feel empathy at that age, so it’s best to think of concrete ideas on how they can be charitable towards others.

3. Visit a Non-Profit Group

If words aren’t enough to describe charity, then schedule a tour at a non-profit group’s facilities. It can be a children’s foundation in your community or a local food bank.

When you make it a visual activity, children are more likely to remember the basic lessons about charity. Just be sure to inquire if your chosen non-profit group can accommodate guided tours.

4. Encourage Them With Positive Reinforcement

Once your child becomes familiar with the concept of charity, you’ll want them to develop a habit of doing acts of kindness. You can achieve this repeated behavior by encouraging them with positive words.

In fact, just talking to your kids about being charitable can already have an impact. The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy believes that children are 20% more likely to become charitable when their parents discuss the act of giving.

These tips should give you a clearer picture of how your child can develop a charitable personality. While teaching children about charity seems easy in theory, keep in mind that it’s a different story for them to follow through on engaging in charitable acts.