How To Teach Your Kids To Be Part Of Their Community. The Ultimate Family Volunteering Guide.

Hey, Mama! You’re doing one of the most important jobs that you will ever do. You are loving, teaching, and training the next generation. Talk about daunting! That’s why Rey to Z has created their blog for moms. Rey to Z not only offers the cutest, most comfortable customized kid’s baseball hats, but they also provide valuable insight into navigating the mama trenches. 

There are so many ways that a mama can help her littles grow up to be awesome humans. One of the best ways to ensure that your cutie will grow up to be confident and secure is actually to show them how to interact with their community by volunteering their time and energy. Studies say that volunteering is actually the best antidote for depression. If your kids (and you,) can get some hours in loving other people, you’re bound to both feel good. 

The Ultimate Family Volunteering Guide

Raising kiddos who are actively engaged in their community is such a great way to show them their own worth. When we help others, it gives us a sense of purpose. Here is the ultimate guide to teaching your cuties about being part of their community. 

Set The Stage: The best place to start is to set the stage. Help your kids understand what a community is, and what their place is in your local community.

What Is A Community?

• A good place to start is to explain to your kids that a community is like a big family made up of people who live, work, and play together in our neighborhood. Talk about neighbors, local parks, libraries, and schools, and how all these places are part of your community.  In addition to these aspects of the community, getting involved in church communities can also be a meaningful way to be actively engaged in your local area, especially for religious families. Attending church not only provides spiritual guidance and support but also offers opportunities for your children to participate in various activities that contribute to the well-being of the community. Nowadays churches invest in age-appropriate curriculums to have more people engaged in religious and community activities. For instance, by participating in a kid’s ministry curriculum by Grow Curriculum, children can not only deepen their understanding of their faith but also cultivate a sense of community and belonging within the church. Another good point is that volunteering is often encouraged within church communities, providing children with the chance to actively contribute to their community.

Explore The Community

• To make the concept of the community more tangible for your kiddos, take them on a few community exploration adventures. Visit your local park, library, and community center, and talk to people you meet along the way. This helps them develop a sense of belonging and familiarity with their surroundings.

Get Involved In Community Activities

• Get out there, mama. Take the kiddos and volunteer at a local animal shelter, join a neighborhood clean-up event, or participate in a community fundraising event for a local cause. These activities allow kids to see firsthand how their actions can make a positive impact in their community. They learn the value of giving back and will be excited to be active participants in making your community a better place.

Encourage Empathy And Kindness

• Teaching empathy and kindness towards others is more important than ever. Talk to your littles about the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, regardless of differences. Encourage your kids to practice acts of kindness in their daily lives, such as helping a friend in need, sharing toys, or being inclusive towards others. 

Foster A Sense of Responsibility

• It’s good to emphasize the importance of responsibility in your kids’ understanding of community involvement. Talk about how being responsible means taking care of ourselves, others, and the environment. Encourage them to take ownership of their actions and the impact they have on their community, instilling in them a sense of responsibility towards their surroundings.

Get Out There! Now the fun begins. You and your littles can get out there and make a difference (and a whole lot of valuable memories!) 

Here Are Some Fun Ideas For Family-friendly Volunteering Options: 

1. Clean-up Events:  A lot of communities organize clean-up events to keep local parks, beaches, or streets clean and free of litter. Parents and kids can join these events and help pick up trash, plant trees, or participate in beautification projects. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about environmental stewardship and the importance of taking care of their surroundings.
2. Food Drives: Food banks and shelters often rely on volunteers to help collect, sort, and distribute food to those in need. Parents and kids can volunteer at local food drives, collecting non-perishable food items, sorting them, and helping with distribution. It’s a meaningful way to teach kids about hunger and the importance of helping those who are less fortunate.
3. Animal Shelters: Animal shelters are always in need of volunteers to help care for animals, clean cages, walk dogs, or assist with adoption events. Kids who love animals can volunteer at local animal shelters and learn about responsible pet ownership, compassion toward animals, and the importance of helping those in need.
4. Senior Homes: Many senior homes or retirement communities welcome volunteers to visit and spend time with elderly residents. Kiddos can create art, play games, or read to the residents, providing companionship and brightening their day. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about respect for elders and the importance of intergenerational connections.
5. Community Gardens: Community gardens are a great way to promote sustainability, healthy eating, and community engagement. Parents and kids can volunteer at local community gardens, planting, watering, and harvesting produce. It’s a hands-on way to teach kids about gardening, nutrition, and the benefits of locally grown food.
6. Local Events: Many communities host events such as festivals, fairs, or charity runs that require volunteers. Parents and kids can volunteer at these events, helping with set-up, clean-up, or assisting with various tasks during the event. It’s a fun way to be part of the community and contribute to the success of local events.
7. Neighborhood Initiatives: Parents and kids can also volunteer in their own neighborhood by organizing initiatives such as a neighborhood clean-up day, a community garden, or a neighborhood watch program. Your cuties can actively participate in planning and implementing these initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their community.
8. Community Fundraising: Parents and kids can also volunteer their time and skills to help with community fundraising events, such as charity walks, runs, or auctions. Kids can assist with organizing, promoting, or participating in these events, and learn about the importance of supporting local causes and making a difference in their community.

It’s important to choose volunteer opportunities that are age-appropriate for your little cuties and that align with their interests and passions. 

Benefits Of Volunteering As a Family 

Volunteering as a family can have numerous benefits that can positively impact your cuties into adulthood. Here are some ways that volunteering as a child can benefit us as adults:

1. Cultivates Empathy and Compassion: Volunteering at a young age allows kiddos to develop empathy and compassion toward others. It helps them understand the needs of their community, including those who are less fortunate or facing challenges. 
2. Fosters a Sense of  Responsibility: Volunteering instills a sense of  responsibility in your cuties, helping them understand their role and responsibility as active members of their community. This sense of duty towards the community can carry into adulthood, leading to greater engagement in community issues and a desire to contribute positively to society.
3. Builds a Strong Sense of Community: Volunteering allows kids to develop a sense of community and belonging. It exposes them to the diverse needs and perspectives within their community and fosters connections with others. These social connections and sense of community can carry into adulthood.
4. Develops Skills and Talents: Volunteering provides opportunities for kiddos to develop new skills and talents. For instance, volunteering in a local garden may teach them about gardening, while volunteering at a food bank may develop their organizational and teamwork skills. 
5. Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence: Volunteering can boost your kiddo’s self-esteem and confidence as they see the positive impact they can make on others and their community. This sense of accomplishment can carry into adulthood, leading to increased self-confidence and a sense of personal fulfillment.
6. Provides Exposure to Diverse Perspectives: Volunteering exposes kids to diverse perspectives and experiences, helping them develop a broader understanding of the world around them. This exposure to diversity can create open-mindedness, tolerance, and acceptance of others’ differences, leading to more inclusive and understanding adults.
7. Instills a Lifelong Commitment to Giving Back: Volunteering as a kid can lay the foundation for a lifelong commitment to giving back to the community.
8. Promotes Personal Growth and Well-being: Volunteering can contribute to personal growth and well-being, both as a little and as an adult. It can provide a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction, leading to improved mental health and well-being. 

There you have it, mama. The Ultimate Family Volunteering Guide! Don’t forget to grab the whole fam matching, adorable Rey to Z Hats to wear on your special volunteering days. Increase your kiddo’s sense of belonging even more with matching hats and lots of pics. Rey to Z has hats for Mama, Dad, siblings, and even grandparents! 

Bonus Points: Do something special for someone you know from work, school, church, sports, or anyone who you know more personally. This is also a great way to show the kiddos how important it is to pay attention to those in your circle and lend a helping hand whenever you can. 

For example:  Do you know a family who is having a new baby? Make a meal for the new mom and grab one of Rey to Z’s perfect gifts for toddlers, and make a new big sister or brother feel special (and ease the change of having a new baby in the house.) Rey to Z has the cutest gifts for toddler girls and boys, all the way up to adults! Making a personal gesture of empathy and compassion will really set in your little’s minds, the importance of giving and caring. 

Rey to Z has a message for you: We see you and we know you are doing your best. That’s why we do our best to provide every style you can imagine and make it customizable for you and your unique family. We also always offer 15% off your first order when you sign up for texts and free shipping on orders $60 or more. Also, if you love us as much as we love you, we offer a  Refer a Friend program, you and your bestie both get $5 off your order.

Read more – The Ultimate Weekend Fun Guide. 5 Family Activities To Build A Strong Bond.