Teaching Kids And Teens About Volunteering – Part 1: The Benefits

ClassB has long been an advocate for volunteerism, and we do a lot of work with kids and teens as well. That is why we wanted to share with you what a big difference volunteering can make in a child’s life.

This is the first of a four part series on how to teach kids and teens about volunteering. First we will discuss the benefits of volunteering for kids and over the next few posts we will talk more about introducing them to volunteering, how to convince them to actually get out there and do it, where they should or shouldn’t volunteer and what you can expect as a parent. As you will read below, introducing your child to volunteering can bring about some very powerful rewards that will last them a lifetime.

 

Part 1: The Benefits of Kids and Teens Volunteering

You’re already aware of the benefits that volunteering can impart on you and those you are lending your helping hand to. But what about kids and teens? Do they really understand the true reasons that people volunteer their time and energy to help those in need? Some may, but for those who don’t, volunteering can be a great tool to help them learn a lot of what life has to offer.

Volunteering is a great learning experience for children in terms of learning about giving back. Of course, it’s not always easy to get a child to understand that giving is better than receiving. But with a little perseverance and a caring attitude, they will begin to understand the true concept of volunteerism, and this can reward them for the rest of their life!

Plus, volunteering can teach them skills that they will use later in life, it can teach them compassion and responsibility, and it can help them to realize all the things that they have to be thankful for; things that most children simply take for granted.

But perhaps the most important benefit of volunteering for children was found in a study done by World Volunteer Web, which revealed that, “youth who volunteer are less likely to engage in risky behavior, are more likely to feel connected to their communities, and tend to do better in school.”

So if you’ve been thinking about introducing your child to volunteering, now is the best time to do it. It is one of the best educational learning experiences a child could have, and the social benefits are outstanding as well. Your child will have a better chance to do well in their studies and will gain opportunities that other children simply won’t have.

Do you volunteer with your children? Let us know the benefits you or your children have received through volunteering. Don’t be shy! Leave a few words in the comment field below.

Come back next week when we will talk about the best ways to introduce your child to volunteerism and let them “get their feet wet.”