Generosity Activities for Kids

Actions inspired by generosity require an awareness of the needs and feelings of others. Preschool-aged children aren̵7;t quite developed enough to completely comprehend another̵7;s point of view, but they can begin to learn to behave in ways that take others into account. Older children and teens can learn generosity by giving to family members and performing acts of service in the community and around the world.

  1. Preschoolers

    • Preschool children are encouraged to be generous with playmates by sharing their toys and other belongings. However, preschoolers still consider things that belong to them to actually be a part of themselves. They equate sharing with giving up a part of themselves. You can help your preschooler to gradually develop the habit of generosity by asking her to share for short periods of time. Moments of generosity can build over time to longer stretches. When creating an opportunity for your preschooler to share with a friend, give your child some control in the activity by asking her to choose which toy she̵7;d like to share and acknowledging her generous action with praise.

    Ages 6 to 10

    • Activities that connect topics of interest to children ages 6 to 10 with acts of generosity will help them see that giving can be fun. If your child is in this age group and loves animals, then find an animal rescue organization or a branch of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in your community where he can help homeless and abused animals. If your child loves to act, sing or dance, then help him gather like-minded friends to create a performance to take to the children̵7;s wing of a local hospital or a nursing home in your area.

    Tweens

    • Tweens -- youngsters between 10 and 12 years old -- are beginning to enjoy a true sense of independent thinking. Create an activity that offers your tween an opportunity to act independently and practice acts of generosity. Suggest that she secretly choose another person in your family and, over the course of a month or two, find ways to perform secret acts of generosity and kindness for that individual. She̵7;ll see that even when the act is secret, her generosity makes not only the receiver, but herself, feel good.

    Teenagers

    • You can help your teenager build on generosity activities practiced in earlier years by encouraging him to expand the reach of his actions into the world community. Your teen might use a jar or bank to collect a certain percent of his allowance or part-time job income to give to the charity of his choice. For this activity, help your teen do some savvy investigation of the organizations to which he is interested in donating. If you have an older teen who is beginning to think about spreading his wings and leaving home, he might enjoy the opportunity to combine travel and activities of generosity by volunteering to work abroad.

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