How to Help Kids Help the Poor

Exposing children to the outside world gives them a more realistic perspective on life.

Helping the poor is an excellent opportunity for kids to learn how to tend to the needs of others and sacrifice for the betterment of society. Teaching kids the tools for helping the poor, such as donating goods and volunteering, develops their maturity, empathy and appreciation for life. Even though kids generally have fewer resources than adults, they can still make a noticeable contribution to their community.

Things You'll Need

• Kids
• Volunteer organization
• Toys
• Clothes
• Food

Instructions

1. 

   Gardening is a great activity that teaches kids how to patiently care for plants that will provide nourishment for the poor.

   Introduce your kid to volunteering. Observe your kid's favorite activities, hobbies and interests to decide on the volunteer activity. For example if your child enjoys baking or gardening perhaps both of you can volunteer at a soup kitchen or in a community garden. Or if your child is very young, read aloud the various service activities available and both of you can decide together. Call up the various organizations to confirm that the activity is child friendly and inquire about any safety risks.

2. Set a day aside to gather things to donate to the poor. You and your child can decide on lightly used books, clothes or toys that you no longer in use that can make a positive impact. Be an example by donating items that you still enjoy to teach your child about valuing other people over material objects. Encourage your kid to follow your example.

3. 

   An activity as simple as selling lemonade for the poor can teach your kid independence.

   Teach your child a skill that can be used to help the poor. Your kid can clean a financially struggling elderly person's home, offer babysitting services to a single parent, knit blankets or hats for babies of low-income families. Encourage your child to use his entrepreneurial skills for philanthropy. Purchase the resources and material needed for the business. Then the child can start with a small business such as a lemonade stand, bake sale or garage sale. Advertise that the proceeds will be donated to charity.

4. Help your child get more kids involved. The holidays are a perfect opportunity to assist your kid in getting others to participate in helping the poor. Your kid can organize a school-wide food or gift drive. Your kid can organize a school or class fundraiser, such as a charity run or golf tournament to sponsor a family for the holidays. Between seasons your kid can assist the teacher in starting a class project to help the poor. For example her classmates can dedicate a small portion of their allowance to sponsor a child or business in a developing nation.

5. 

   The more that people understand poverty, the more people will be willing to help the poor.

   Spread awareness about poverty with your kid. Spend time with your kid to research and discuss the causes of poverty. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation about methods for reducing poverty to present at school and organizations. The knowledge both of you present can dispel misconceptions about the poor and inspire others to help.

Tips & Warnings

• Continuously talk to your child to confirm that they are understanding the lessons you are trying to teach them.

• Be sure that your kid is engaging in age appropriate activities.

References

• Kids Turn Central: Volunteering
• Compassionate Kids: Volunteering with Kids
• TeensHealth: Volunteering

Resources

• AHC Arts & Crafts: Get Your Kids Involved in Community Service