Ways to Nurture Philanthropy Lessons with Your Child at Home

It’s never too early for children to learn lessons about sharing and giving, a belief we hold onto strongly to at The Learning Experience®. In today’s fast-paced, media-driven world, it can be overwhelming to pinpoint where to start or how to extend philanthropic lessons beyond the classroom and into the home. However, with a few simple ideas, it can be an enjoyable and educational experience for the entire family.

Get Everyone Involved.

• Start having frequent discussions about giving back as a family.
• Have the family share what they are grateful for.
• Explain that not everyone has the ability to enjoy all of the benefits and opportunities your family may take for granted.
• Find out what each family member is passionate about, do research together on which charities fit best with those passions, and work together to create awareness and give to those causes.
• Encourage everyone – even extended family – to give in some way, whether in the form of volunteering time and effort, or monetary donations.

Make it Fun!

• Get creative in developing philanthropic activities beyond the classroom with kid-friendly activities.
• Try decorating a donation box or jar with your child at home and encourage everyone to give a little every day. No amount is too small.
• Make t-shirts as a family to show comradery when supporting your charity of choice at events.

Shop with a Conscience.

• During your next trip to the grocery store, allow your child to pick out five non-perishable food items, and at the end of each month, make a trip to a local homeless shelter to make a donation.
• Swap one lightly worn item out of each family member’s closet for every new they purchase while shopping and donate it to a local charity.
• Make it a once a season event to clear out their drawers with your child and take the gently used clothing to a local organization that provides to those in need, such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army.

Remember, one of the most important philanthropic lessons you can teach at home is: “It’s not how big or small you are, it’s the size of your heart that matters!”

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