As a parent, you are raising the next generation of policymakers, volunteer workers, charity organizers, and emergency aid helpers. You can guide your child as they learn about community responsibility and social issues, so that they can feel empowered to make a positive impact on the world. Here are a few family activities that can help your family tackle social issues in educational and inspiring ways.
Food Drives
Examine your local charity listings to learn about upcoming food drives. Organizations that often need aid include shelters for the homeless and emergency aid efforts during national disasters. Some grocery stores partner up with food banks so that you can quickly provide the needy with resources during your next shopping trip. Most of these efforts require non-perishable goods, such as canned soups, meats, and vegetables. Work with your children to pick up food and drop it off together at donation locations.
Community Clean Up
Litter at your local parks and beaches can become an eyesore for communities. Explore local cleanup options and get the entire family involved! Practice safe cleanup habits by using the right protective gear during your clean up efforts, such as reacher tools, gloves, and trash bags. Reward your children after these events with fun family activities, such as a barbeque.
Donating Belongings
What should you do when your children outgrow toys and supplies? Instead of leaving them for the garbage pickup, think about donating old belongings to local charities. Cribs, clothing, and toys can be extremely useful for parents with low-income backgrounds. Teach your children how to save belongings that are still in good condition. If they are old enough, bring your children along to donation sites so that they can give away their possessions.
Discussing the News
Once your children reach a certain age, they will start gaining a broader perspective of the world through online media and televised news. Turn this into a group activity and strengthen your family ties by discussing current political and social events. These discussions can help your children develop critical thinking and awareness skills.
Adults play a pivotal role in shaping the social awareness of younger generations. Parents, volunteer teachers abroad, and community leaders all contribute to climates of community responsibility and awareness. Get involved at the local, state, and international levels by exploring charity and volunteer efforts as a family.
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Originally posted on July 28, 2014 @ 10:43 am
