Teach Young Children Generosity Through Instructional Charity
Here at eMite, we are big on the idea that charity can be developed generationally. It is an attribute, a characteristic; some would even say a gift of a character that can be nurtured and developed from one generation to another. One of the tools that we have found most useful in teaching generosity to a child is something we call instructional charity.
What do we mean by instructional charity? Well, instructional charity makes a point to recognize the giving in action. This is not to be taken as an encouragement to blow a trumpet so that all might know how generous you are, but rather, the intent is a shared experience between parent and child when giving is the purpose and passing on a heart for charity is desired.
Take, for example, this scenario:
You and your child walk past a beggar, and in an unseen or concealed way, you drop a couple of coins out your hand into the beggar’s cup, never making eye contact or letting your child know that an act of giving has occurred.
A beautiful act of charity has indeed occurred. Your actions have blessed both you and the beggar. However, if your heart is to share your love of giving with your child, an opportunity has been lost. How can one capture this opportunity and share it with their child in this charitable moment? Consider the same instance while utilizing instructional charity:
You and your child walk past a beggar. Stopping a few steps away from the beggar, you take some money from your pocket and hand it to your child, telling her that it would be a good thing to help those in need. Then you ask the question, “would we like to give to that person?” Make sure that visual contact is made so that the child understands the situation. Note: you should be ready at this moment for any reply to the question. If your child does not wish to give the money, you follow through with the charitable act.
Hopefully, the instructional event will cause a Q&A session between you and your child. As questions arise, answer them clearly and confidently. Since charity is a matter of the heart, verbosity only tends to muddy the waters. The most important thing to convey is your heart. Your child can read that without a word.
Below are a few more illustrations of Instructional Charity in action:
When planning your end of the year, giving, engage your children in the process. Help them understand that this act of charity is important enough to you that you plan it out. Enlighten them on why you are giving to the organizations you have selected. If desired and your planning allows, give your children a say in what organizations receive your end of year charity.
Share with your child updates or insight that you have on the impact made through a donation you gave in the past. Fill them in on how giving makes a difference and how it is exciting to be involved in helping others.
If your child has a school-led or you have a company giving campaign, engage with your child in that campaign. Discuss the particulars about the impact to be made and how you and your child can make that impact happen. Keep updated on the progress of the campaign and share updates with your child.