Empowering our children to lead with compassion includes teaching them how to practice generosity.
Discuss Giving with Conversation Starters
Talking about money goes a long way in encouraging our littles to be generous when it comes to financial giving. One study found that kids
“…were 18% more likely to donate money to a charitable organization if their parents had made any donation of their own in the past year.” If a parent had made a donation and talked about giving, that child was 33% more likely to donate.
Here are some conversation starter questions to help:
1) How does it feel when someone helps us? Help kids connect inside out and remind them of a time when they needed some care and support. (e.g., boo-boos are a perfect example)
2) How does it feel when we help others? Remind your kids of a time when they delivered a treat to a neighbor or wrote a Kindness Card to a grandparent, and the joy they felt in uplifting someone else.
3) Why is it important to help others in need? Remind your kids that our community is possible because of ALL the people in it. So helping others in need actually helps us all.
Set up your Jars
Creating Save, Spend and Give jars is a FUN way to teach even young kids the value of money and how good it feels to give to others. Follow our simple steps to get started:
Supplies Needed:
3 Mason Jars, Markers, Labels, Cash (3 $1 or however much feels comfortable)
Setup Process:
1) Have your child write out 3 labels (Save, Spend, Give) themselves.
2) Stick 1 label on each jar. Having your children do the sticking will help them feel empowered.
3) Make the first cash contribution to your child’s jars to get them started.
4) Determine ongoing jar distribution plan- from birthday/holiday gifts or weekly allowance.
Determine Where/When To Donate
1) Ask your child questions about what they love or feel passionate about.
2) Together determine where you will be making your Give Donations as a family and the timeframe. Special days like GivingTuesday can become a family tradition!
Complete the Donation Together
Complete the donation process with your child. Have them watch you write the check, or have them sit on your lap as you make the online donation.
Closing the loop with your children so they see that there’s follow-through is essential to their success.
Celebrate the Impact
Remind your child how proud you are of them taking the action to GIVE. Practicing generosity is a lifelong skill and as children they are equally important as grown-ups to practice compassion!
Share this: