And they can get the same benefit from helping people outside their families. These activities can teach your child about being a responsible member of a community:

  • Help elderly neighbors. Think of favors you and your child can do for older neighbors. Together, go shopping or help with yard work.
  • Make a get-well card. Help your child make a card for a friend who is ill. Your child can draw on the front, and you can write on the inside.
  • Help a worthy cause. Even young children can participate in charity drives or fund-raisers. They can help make cookies for a bake sale, decorate boxes for donations or join you in a walk-a-thon.
  • Clean up a favorite spot. Invite other families to help you spruce up a popular park or other area that has become littered.
  • Deliver books to shut-ins. Many libraries don’t make home deliveries. And delivering books emphasizes the importance of reading.

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