You can teach children to convert their gratitude into generosity by connecting the concept of giving with what they already know from their life experiences. Teaching children how to practice generosity empowers them from an early age to know that there is something they can do to help others instead of simply becoming overwhelmed with the amount of suffering in the world. Teaching children generosity also enables you to ensure that your children mature with a sense of social conscience.
Giving to the Elderly
Your child can "adopt" an elderly person from a local nursing home. Find a nursing home close to your home and call to find out if they would like an additional volunteer (most nursing homes welcome new volunteers). After going through any required orientation programs for volunteering in a nursing home, your child can adopt a grandparent by committing to making weekly visits to the adopted elderly person. As many elderly people suffer from memory loss, your child can make a difference to an older person by writing down the memories this person reflects about. The experience of adopting a grandparent is rewarding for children because it helps them learn how to connect with older people and to learn from their wisdom.
Giving an Animal
Some nonprofit organizations have a program in which a person can give chicken or water buffalo to families in impoverished communities and help them get animals to participate in farming and other related agricultural activities. You can teach your children about the lives of underprivileged families by explaining how just one animal can make a big difference to farmers who may be struggling.
Giving Gifts to Needy Children
Have your children purchase gifts for underprivileged children. As you shop for these gifts with your children, use the experience as a way to remind your children to be grateful for all the books, toys and clothes they have. Remind your children that the kids you are shopping for probably do not have many of the same items they have.
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