Children are born into this world with the expectation of being the center of the universe. It is not their fault or anything they control. When your child cries, feed him or change his diaper. He realizes that he can get a reaction from you that makes him feel better and naturally thinks that all his whims will be catered for.
When your child is a young child, he can start doing things on his own, and that’s a good time to start teaching him to take care of his own needs, when appropriate. You can start by having him pick up his own toys and learn to use the utensils to feed himself at the table. It is a learning process that leads to teaching you to take care of others.
When your child is a preschooler, you can start participating in some service projects that change people and show him how good it feels to serve others. Up to this point, your child has only learned that he can take care of himself. But now you will see the benefits of helping others. Read 1 Peter 4:10, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” So where do you start with service projects for young children?
Take a walk around the neighborhood. Bring a pair of gloves and a garbage bag to collect garbage on the way. During this walk, you can talk with your child about the importance of caring for the environment and what can happen if we don’t. You can also come up with other ways to help the environment while out walking. Consider bringing a notepad and pencil as well. In this way, you can write down any ideas about future service projects that are useful and do not necessarily have to be in the order of helping the environment.
Hold a food drive in your community and / or church. There are many food banks in the US that thrive on donations of non-perishable food. Announce your family’s willingness to bring donations to the Food Pantry by a specified date. Then put boxes where people can put their donations. Be sure to express to your preschooler the importance of good nutrition and choosing foods that are beneficial to low-income families who cannot afford to shop at a grocery store. You could even encourage your child to buy food with money from his own piggy bank. Stores always sell canned goods, making it easy to choose.
Visit an assisted living community in your neighborhood. Just reach out to a community close to your home, ask the event coordinator about any volunteer needs you have, and see what your family can do to help. Some places allow children to “adopt a grandparent” who will benefit from additional care. Or, your family might consider reserving a spot on the community calendar for a talent show, running a trade, or holding a game session.
There are many more opportunities for your family to get involved in service projects, including holding a yard sale, making aid packages for soldiers, learning about foreign countries, and even playing with pets in your local humane society. Regardless of what you choose, it is important to explain to your preschooler why you are serving in a particular way and who benefits from your actions. This way, your child will know that he is making a difference and touching someone’s life in a positive way.
