Volunteer As A Family To Teach Young Children Compassion!
Many of today’s parents are committed to raising their children to become compassionate adults who want to help others. They are looking for good ways to encourage character development but may not know how or when to begin.
“Giving back is especially top-of-mind around the holidays, so this is a good time to start a year-round habit with your young children,” said Dr. Mary Zurn, vice president of education and professional development, Primrose Schools. “Volunteering plays an important role in the development of character. It teaches children that they can do things that positively impact the world around them. Even young children can learn to become active participants in their communities.”
With more than 40 years of experience in early childhood education, Dr. Zurn oversees the development of the Primrose Schools Balanced Learning® curriculum, which places a special emphasis on character development. She offers parents four key steps to start their children volunteering in a meaningful way:
Step 1: Clarify your personal goals and motives for wanting to include your child in volunteer activities. Volunteering is a wonderful way to a share your values with your child. Pick a cause that is meaningful to you and your family rather than one that is simply convenient.
Step 2: Explain the importance of volunteerism and the contribution volunteers can make. A child’s favorite question is “why?” Keep your answers simple and concrete. For example, if you are going to volunteer at the food bank, tell your child that “The food bank has lots of food for people who need it, and it will be our job to sort the food so that people are able to find what they need.”
Step 3: Choose volunteer activities to do with your children that are age-appropriate. Children as young as three can begin volunteering. At this age they are better able to enjoy participation in group activities and follow directions. Remember that a preschooler’s concept of the world is not very large and is usually limited primarily to their home, neighborhood and school. It’s important to keep the activity within the realm of what they can imagine.
Step 4: Find a child-friendly not-for-profit. When selecting a volunteer opportunity, ask questions to determine if it’s the right fit for your family. Does the organization have experience with and a history of successfully working with children and families? Will the organization provide a reference from another family who has volunteered with them? Does the organization conduct appropriate background screenings on its staff? Does the organization have insurance if there is an accident while your family is volunteering?
Additional parenting tips from Dr. Zurn on raising compassionate children are available on http://www.drzandme.com/
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Welcome to Primrose Schools
The Leader in Educational Child Care®
Visit any Primrose School, and you'll notice the Primrose difference from the moment you walk in. Parents tell us it feels like home. Everything we do at Primrose, from our professional staff, to our school accreditations, to our clean, safe environment assures parents that their child will be safe, happy, and learning.
Our proprietary Balanced Learning® curriculum is brought to life each day by passionate teachers who nurture your child’s mind, body, and heart. In Primrose Schools across the country we train our teachers to consistently deliver our standards-based curriculum. Because we are committed to furthering each child’s development and learning, we make sure teachers have what they need to teach and to focus their energies on understanding your child and what he or she needs to learn and grow.
For over 25 years, the extraordinary quality of our people and culture has been the major reason parents give for choosing Primrose. With our passionate staff, comprehensive curriculum, and high standards, we partner with parents to provide the best education and care for every child.
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Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.
To find these and other great tips for parents, check out Dr. Zurn's blog at DrZandme.com. For more information on Primrose Schools, visit http://www.primroseschools.com/. You can also check them out on Facebook and Twitter!
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