Parenting and Prevention
Connecting with the Community to Enhance Children’s Social Skills
By: Teresa Alford
Volunteering exposes children to individuals who may be facing challenges or adversity, helping them appreciate their own blessings and develop gratitude. Have you considered doing a volunteer activity with your children? Engaging in volunteer activities together offers numerous benefits to children. You will not only find that volunteering is fun, but will also make a positive and life-long impression on your child. Children who volunteer are exposed to different social situations and different social issues whereby they will develop empathy and compassion towards others who are less fortunate or in need of assistance.
Volunteer situations may involve working as part of a team or interacting with diverse groups of people. This can enhance children’s social skills, such as communication and cooperation. Helping others and contributing to their community can boost your children’s self-esteem and confidence. It provides them with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. It also teaches children the importance of taking responsibility for their actions and making positive contributions to society. It instills a sense of civic duty and encourages them to be active participants in their communities
Research suggests that children who engage in volunteer activities may experience academic benefits, including improved grades and increased motivation for learning. Perhaps best of all, volunteering together as a family provides opportunities for bonding and shared experiences. It allows parents and children to spend quality time together while making a positive impact on their community. Overall, involving children in volunteer activities with their parents can have a profound impact on their personal development, social skills, and worldview, while also promoting a sense of responsibility and empathy towards others
Volunteer activities exist in each community. It is important to identify what excites your child and follow their passion. Some ideas: stock food at the food pantries, help serve a holiday dinner, or volunteer at marathon walks and runs. Something very basic and a good starting point with young children is making blessing bags together to pass out to the homeless. Take a Ziplock bag and fill it with a water bottle, snacks, socks, and hygiene items. Perhaps have your child write a note of encouragement or draw a picture. Whatever you choose to do, involve your child as much as possible so they have a personal connection and will be invested and interested.
Reach out to Parenting Matters to learn about volunteer opportunities available.