It’s
important for children to learn how to be good citizens, and one of the best
teaching methods is for parents to model the right behavior.
One
good place to start is to find at least one cause or need in your community
where you can volunteer your help.
Let
your children know why you think that area is important, and spell out for them
how you are trying to help. Let your child join you if he or she wants.
Most
children will be eager to become involved — but don’t force it if they’re not.
It’s
important to let each child choose where and how to help, so they can take
ownership in the progress that is made.
Opportunities
range from helping other young people or senior citizens, to helping animals,
or tackling an environmental project.
It’s
also good to find and share success stories with your children.
It’s
easy for any one of us to become overwhelmed by the problems in the community
or the world. But the truth is that individuals can and do make a difference.
Talk
to your children about the importance of joining forces. Encourage them to
involve their friends or classmates in tackling big projects such as a creek or
playground cleanup.
All
these activities help reinforce the actions of good citizens. They help plant
the seeds that individuals make a difference, and that in a democratic society
we all have a responsibility to do things “for the good of the order.”
