Helping My Community
Here's What To Do
1
Identify a child-friendly volunteer or community participation event near you (examples: a walk-a-thon, park clean up or tree planting, making cards for nursing home residents, etc.).
2
Once you choose a volunteer opportunity, contact the organization and confirm that the service is an appropriate activity for small children.
3
Ask your child how their service helped their community, and why it's important to be involved in your community.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Say to your child, “you’re so helpful to me in our home, let’s get out and help others in our community”
E
Engage:
- When you arrive at the volunteer site, model for your children how they can participate and help.
- "How did you help our community today? Why is helping in our community important?"
E
Encourage:
- Young children may not have the attention span to participate in a long service activity. Take breaks, and emphasize how helpful they're being.
- High five your child for their efforts and helpfulness!
R
Reflect:
- Ask your child how it makes them feel to be a helper.
Not quite ready?
Bring your child with you to vote in an election and explain what you're doing.
Ready for more?
Plan and schedule a routine for doing volunteer work in your community.
As your child masters this skill...
They will show civic values like wanting to participate in and help their community.