S/o - How to get LO's involved in charity?

CoffeeBeen

DS just turned 2 and I'm trying to find age appropriate ways to teach him about charity.  How are you helping your LO's understand giving to those in need?

CoffeeBeen

katem3277:

My DD is closer to 4, but before birthdays and christmas we go through the toys and pick out things to donate.  This year she seems to actually understand that we are picking out stuff that will help people who cannot afford toys, homes, food, etc.  Their daycare sponsers a family or two each year so this year I will let her pick out some things for them. I honestly think that 2 is a bit young for him to "get it", but it obviously never hurts for him to be part of it.

This is the part that I'm most lost on.  I don't know how to help DS understand that some people don't have enough.  

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

The plan was to have DD pick toys to give away to underprivileged kids. I figured it'd teach her about charity and make the parting with toys much easier. Except half her toys are in storage right now and there's no way I'm going to haul them all back home just so we can repack most of them. 

So there, that was the plan. But the plan will wait until after we move. 

Sonadora

I'm going to take her to the toy store this weekend and we will pick out a toy for Toys for Tots and donate it together.

I think that's about the extent she'll be able to grasp at this point. She's been pretty good with the concept when we go to pick something out for a birthday party for another kid that the item is not for her and she isn't getting something at this time. So I'm hoping this will go similarly.

andyyougoonie

I'm honestly not sure that I want her to understand that there are children that don't have as much as she does yet.  We donate to charities that are close to our hearts - we have taken her to walk in the Buddy Walk for Down's Syndrome for the past two years and next year I plan to join a walk for childhood apraxia of speech.  We have friends with children that have DS and CAS, so she knows these kids.  We also gather towels and blankets and donate those and money to our local humane society and animal shelter every winter.

I think I'm going to wait until she's closer to 4 or 5 or older to begin talking about really sick children or kids/families that don't have as much as we do.  She's very sensitive and I just don't think she's ready for harsh realities like that just yet.

CoffeeBeen

andyyougoonie:

I'm honestly not sure that I want her to understand that there are children that don't have as much as she does yet. 

This has been in my mind as well.  I don't want to scar him by telling him more than he's ready to hear, but I also want him to have appreciation for what he has and a giving spirit for others.  It's a fine line to walk.

 

andyyougoonie

CoffeeBeen:

andyyougoonie:

I'm honestly not sure that I want her to understand that there are children that don't have as much as she does yet. 

This has been in my mind as well.  I don't want to scar him by telling him more than he's ready to hear, but I also want him to have appreciation for what he has and a giving spirit for others.  It's a fine line to walk.

I agree.  Those are both qualities that I would like for DD to have as well, but right now we're working on sharing and giving to family and close friends.  There is so much sadness out there, I'm just not ready to expose her to it just yet.  I wish I could keep it from her forever, but since that's not possible, I hope I can introduce it to her at a rate that suits her. 

I remember how fortunate I was as a child and I didn't realize it until one December day I was on the way to a movie with my parents when we passed a whole family sitting on the side of the road.  The dad had a sign that said "Will work for food."  It hit me so hard that those kids didn't have a home to go to where they had a big Christmas tree and tons of presents under it.  My dad dropped us off at the movie and went back to help the family.  I think I was 8 or 9.

CoffeeBeen

andyyougoonie:

CoffeeBeen:

andyyougoonie:

I'm honestly not sure that I want her to understand that there are children that don't have as much as she does yet. 

This has been in my mind as well.  I don't want to scar him by telling him more than he's ready to hear, but I also want him to have appreciation for what he has and a giving spirit for others.  It's a fine line to walk.

I agree.  Those are both qualities that I would like for DD to have as well, but right now we're working on sharing and giving to family and close friends.  There is so much sadness out there, I'm just not ready to expose her to it just yet.  I wish I could keep it from her forever, but since that's not possible, I hope I can introduce it to her at a rate that suits her. 

I remember how fortunate I was as a child and I didn't realize it until one December day I was on the way to a movie with my parents when we passed a whole family sitting on the side of the road.  The dad had a sign that said "Will work for food."  It hit me so hard that those kids didn't have a home to go to where they had a big Christmas tree and tons of presents under it.  My dad dropped us off at the movie and went back to help the family.  I think I was 8 or 9.

   That sounds so sad.  I hate the way the world is sometimes.