Parent Zone
December 2007

'Tis Better to Give Than to Receive

How do you teach generosity?  The easiest way for young children to understand charity is to see it in action among family members.  What better way to teach your children about charity than to teach them to give? 

Learning to share is a major accomplishment for a young child. But for parents, teaching this skill to kids can be frustrating.

Here are some tips for teaching youngsters this important value. The holiday season is a perfect time to try out some new ideas. Just a few rules and a little encouragement can bring out the generous side of any child.

• Praise often when you notice acts of sharing
• Learn to take turns by setting a kitchen timer
• Let children designate certain toys for keeping and certain toys for sharing
• Encourage children to trade toys during play
• Take turns choosing toys for each other
• Be a good example for your own children
• Explain why it is important to share your time with others
• Include your child when buying clothes, toys, or food to donate to others

Other Links to Explore

• Caring, Sharing, and Charity
  http://www.ymca.net/resources_
  for_families/caring_sharing_and_charity.html
  
  
• Teach Your Child the Charity Habit
  http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/
  experts/cm/the_charity_habit.html
  
  
• Teaching Kids the Value of Giving
  http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/
  drt/archive/2006/dt061115.html
  
  
• Teaching Children about Charity
  http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/
  5-ap/42-teaching-child.htm
  
  
• Teaching Kids to Give to Charity:
  Simple, Inexpensive Ways for Kids to Give Back
  http://www.abcnews.go.com/print?
  id=3395097
  
  
• Six Ways to Get Going on
  (Guilt-Free!) Giving
  http://fun.familyeducation.com/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/29608.html