Teach Your Children Well

South Bend Tribune

At left, Edwardsburg Middle School sixth-graders Brayden Curtis, Mallory Sager and Kylee Pinkston pack boxes at Feed the Children in Elkhart for a community service project for their social studies class.

A recent news story profiled students in Elkhart who volunteered with a Feed the Children service event at their school. The story makes us smile, but what caught our eye was the headline: “Kids Find Helping Others 'Fun.'” The angle suggests that the kids were prepared to find other results of their service, and were surprised by the happiness that doing good brought them.

Unfortunately, volunteering is often viewed in the context of surprisingly fun at best. In a society where we usually want monetary compensation or other awards that directly benefit us, providing service for others may seem more like a chore than something one does willingly. However, we can shift this perspective in many ways – starting, perhaps, by setting a positive example for our youngest citizens.

Together we can show our children that doing good for others is fun, positive, and a necessity in life. Getting kids involved with service work at a young age is a great place to start. When making plans for family activities, include a service project or two in addition to more recreational activities. Volunteering at a food kitchen, helping clean up a community park or street, or participating in a charity walk are all great activities that are family-friendly as well. Many parents also give their kids an allowance. Set up a bank or an envelope for your child to set aside a portion of their earnings to a cause of their choosing. There are many ways we can teach our children how to be involved with service work and ensure that they have fun doing it!

If children become involved with doing good at a young age, then the joy that comes from service may not be such a shock to them later on. This in turn may lead to a gradual shift in cultural perspectives towards volunteering and lending a hand. Let's make it a point to ensure that doing good is a part of our fondest memories as we all grow and learn together.

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