The world is a big – and sometimes scary – place. As children grow up and discover who they are and what their place is in it, it’s important to give them the tools they need to contribute in positive ways. Raising your children to have a contributor mindset from a young age helps instill that value deep within them. By starting early, it becomes a core part of who they are and will help them to learn, grow, and contribute in positive ways to the people and the world around them. Here are some tips on teaching your children to be generous contributors to society.
Start with gratitude.
Generous contributors are grateful for what they have. By cultivating an attitude of gratitude, your children will be able to better identify what they’re thankful for an want to share that with others. Take time to point out things to them that you’re thankful for and then ask them what they’re thankful for. These could be physical things like their home, their food, their toys. As they get older, talk about the people who they are thankful for who have contributed to their life and growth.
Listen well.
As your children start communicating and sharing their thoughts, show them that you care about what they have to say by listening well. If your kids know that their ideas matter, they will want to share them with you – and others. Contributions like these are valuable to the world and as they grow into adults, they will have the confidence they need to think critically and share what they have to offer with those around them.
Get involved.
Getting your kids involved in community activities is the best way to show them what being a contributor looks like. This might be volunteering at a local organization that means something to your family, getting active in a club or sports group, or joining a church. Giving your children the opportunity to interact with other people and develop bonds with them is critical to creating a sense of community. It also gets them outside of themselves and shows them how big the world really is and gives them a tangible way to provide acts of service that have a meaningful impact.
Encourage generosity.
Whether it’s handmade gifts or cards, donating their old toys, or saving up some of their piggy bank money to donate to a special cause, encourage generosity in your kids from a young age. Let them see you being generous, too. This teaches them that generosity can brighten people’s day and can truly be life-changing, and those types of contributions are what really matter.
If we really want to make the world a better place, it starts with small acts of love that make a big difference. No contribution is too small.