• Home
  • Brooke Burke
  • Must Have
  • Recalls
  • Contributors
  • Contests & Twitter Parties
  • Become An Insider
  • ModernMom Store

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • Ask Dr. Psych Mom
  • Cooking
  • Around The House
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
  • Career
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Hot Topics
  • Games
You are here: Home / Relationships / How to Teach Kids the Importance of Giving

How to Teach Kids the Importance of Giving

October 11, 2013 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

“I want one,” “Give me that,” and “That’s mine” are all pretty familiar sounding phrases to most parents. A child’s world is naturally all about himself, so looking out for number one is really not selfish behavior. Children need to learn that giving is as important as taking, and although a little maturity will help get that message across, there are lots of steps parents can take to help kids understand and appreciate the importance of giving.

Step 1

Understand how children see the idea of sharing and provide them with non-threatening ways to share. In her book “Children Learn What They Live,” Dorothy Law Nolte says, “It’s best to start with sharing that doesn’t involve personal sacrifice.” She suggests that letting the child distribute cookies to everyone in the family, including herself, is a good way to begin teaching that concept. In addition, Nolte suggests that parents teach children that some personal possessions, like a treasured “blankie,” are not for sharing.

Step 2

Make giving a gift a part of every occasion when a child receives gifts. For example, during the holidays, help children make three lists: one listing holiday gifts they would like to receive, another listing holiday gifts they will give to family members, and a third listing gifts the family will buy for an anonymous, less-fortunate family. On a child’s birthday, make one of their gifts a donation to a charitable organization of the child’s choice.

Step 3

Model the importance of generosity by sharing your time and resources. Talk about the family budget and explain how some money is set aside every month for charitable purposes and what those are. Even a small child can understand that a parent is giving up a Saturday to help clean a playground that has seen better days. By the time children are in grade school they can go along with parents who help stock a food pantry or serve meals at a homeless shelter.

Step 4

Show your enthusiasm for gift giving; involve kids in the excitement of picking out just the right gift for Aunt Lucy’s birthday. Give gifts of time, such as babysitting coupons for young parents in your family. In her book “Raising Charitable Children,” Carol Weisman tells about a grandmother who asked for a special gift from her grandchildren. When they asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she told them that she would like them to do something nice for someone else, draw her a picture showing what they did, and then tell her all about the experience.

Step 5

Consider a volunteer vacation. An amazing variety of opportunities are out there for families who want to spend their vacation time doing something for others. Even with just a short time available volunteering, families can make a real contribution close to home or halfway around the world. A family might find themselves part of a team sprucing up blighted areas in their own town, assisting at a children’s clinic in Romania, volunteering at a summer camp for children with special needs, or helping research scientists save sea turtles.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Relationships

About ModernMom Staff

Search

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

10 Life Lessons I Want To Pass On To My Daughter

10 Life Lessons I Want To Pass On To My Daughter

I look at my little girl, who is now three years old, and I …[Read More...]

ModernMom TV

Early Signs You Are Pregnant With Twins

Early Signs You Are Pregnant With Twins

Those who are pregnant with twins have an increased risk of …[Read More...]

How to Detect a Miscarriage

How to Detect a Miscarriage

A miscarriage, the loss of a pregnancy, can be emotionally …[Read More...]

Causes of Lethargy in Toddlers

Causes of Lethargy in Toddlers

Common Causes of Lethargy in Toddlers Parents just know …[Read More...]

How to Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

How to Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

How to Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken Convenience …[Read More...]

How Long Can Cupcakes Be Stored After Baking?

How Long Can Cupcakes Be Stored After Baking?

In a perfect world, cupcakes would always be enjoyed a few …[Read More...]

How To Know If A Married Man Hides His Feelings For You

How To Know If A Married Man Hides His Feelings For You

Married people, both men and women, often find themselves …[Read More...]

Signs of Water Breaking in Pregnancy

Signs of Water Breaking in Pregnancy

When you are in your ninth month of pregnancy, your water …[Read More...]

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2019 · Mom, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc. The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.