Service to Others-Asset 9

Children Serve Others in the Community

Investment in this empowerment asset results from both parents and children participating in service projects in the community.

Growing up in a community where it is the norm to volunteer and be involved in service projects that help others is very empowering. Doing for others goes a long ways in helping children gain access to feelings of accomplishment, worth, value and altruism. Altruism is the high human gesture of giving to and doing for others without expectation of return or reward. Altruism is its truest form is its own reward. It is the joy of giving of one’s self.

Some things parents can do to ensure their children receive the benefits of this asset in their life are:
• Parents should get involved in service projects whenever the opportunity presents itself. When children see adults in their lives helping others they are more likely to do the same themselves.
• Know that providing for your child’s needs as any loving parent would do is also teaching them the importance of helping others when they are in need.
• Create ways for your children to serve others with you. If your community is having a canned goods drive, let your children pick out things from your pantry to contribute to the drive. If your community has a Spirit of Service Day to help the elderly with yard work, let your child be involved with age-appropriate tasks, like raking leaves or weeding gardens.
• Parents can also create service projects that can be done at home that can also involve your children in simple ways. For instance, you could have your children help with a project of sewing pillow cases for a shelter. If they aren’t old enough to actually sew, they could help pick out the patterns and then fold the finished products. Parents could also cut out wooden pieces to make children’s toys. Let your child help draw the shapes and perhaps assist with painting or putting the toys together.
• Parents can make it a point to talk about and teach children how it is importance for everyone in a community to be willing to lend a helping hand because a day may well come that they will be the ones needing some help or support from the community.
• Create simple opportunities for younger children to serve others. If there is a toy drive for the holidays, let your toddler or preschooler go with you to the toy store and have them pick the toy to donate. Then let them put the toy in the toy collection box in the community.
• As children get older, let them make a list of ways they can think of to serve others. Then help them act on their ideas.
• Always thank and show great appreciation to children who do serve others. This will give them a greater sense of value and worth.
Montana communities norm already include service to other in most places. If you would like more information about this asset, contact me by mail or email.