Encouraging kids to help

We live in an age of selfies, where not-so-subtle societal messages define worth by material possessions and approval from social media “friends,” some of whom we barely know. In such a hands-off environment, it is easy to retreat from others or to believe that we are the center of our own worlds.

Ironically, experts say that the acceptance and achievement people crave often come from focusing on others. Since empathy is a strong predictor of future success, children (and adults) have much to gain by cultivating a giving spirit instead of chasing recognition or seeking “likes” on social media.

Teaching children to identify with causes larger than themselves isn’t difficult. Even better, serving others as a family creates meaningful togetherness.

Children Are Born to Care

Children are hard-wired with a spirit of giving. That’s apparent in the toddler who cries at the sight of an upset playmate, the preschooler who offers his teddy bear to a sick sibling or the child who grabs a sponge when mom is washing the car. As they

grow, children learn from society that sometimes it’s unsafe or unwise to care. So, what to do?

Families have the power to foster empathy. Research indicates that parents who openly express warmth and compassion tend to raise more kind-hearted children. This process begins at birth and is intuitive. Routinely responding to an infant’s cries or a toddler’s skinned knee communicates that helping others is important. When children feel secure that the world is a safe and loving place, it’s easier to develop empathy.

The first opportunity for children to help others is at home; consider assigning tasks that benefit the family. “Children need jobs,” says Dr. William Sears, pediatrician and book author. “Once a child learns a sense of responsibility for the household, a sense of responsibility to society will come naturally in the next stage of development.”

Kids Who Help Others Help Themselves

Children who support others often gain more than they give. They experience a boost in well-being, self-worth and

optimism. Helping others becomes a shield against temptation and stress. When kids know it feels good to do the right thing, it’s easier to say no to the wrong things.

Volunteering as a family creates quality time together. Away from screens and other distractions, families discover new ways to connect and appreciate one another. Research shows that children who volunteer with their families are twice as likely to continue volunteering as adults, who then pass the tradition on to their own children. Helping others becomes a family legacy and makes a generational impact!

Even Busy Families Can Participate in Giving

Fostering a giving spirit doesn’t require huge amounts of time or money. Jenny Friedman, an authority on family philanthropy and founder of the Doing Good Together blog, says that finding time to help others is easier than most people think. She says the key is to consider current activities and hobbies and find ways to incorporate volunteering into those events.

6 Charitable Ideas for Busy Families

Support hospitalized children, families in need, deployed military service members and more. Here are ideas to get started.

1. Make a hospitalized child smile. Cards for Hospitalized Kids accepts handmade cards for distribution to kids in the hospital. Over 500,000 children have received cards from all over the world. Families can use their own creativity or visit the website for helpful suggestions: www.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com.

2. Provide comfort to children facing challenges. Project Linus accepts handmade blankets for children who are ill, traumatized or who need the security of a comfort item. No-sew patterns (and many others) are available on their site: www.projectlinus.org.

3. Offer encouragement to military and first responders. Operation Gratitude needs families to send cards, drawings and letters.

4. Visit the Giving Machine in Old Town San Diego. The vending-style machine allows families to easily support a variety of local and international charitable causes such as purchasing a jacket for a toddler or providing clean water or medical supplies for communities in need. Visit the Giving Machine in Old Town San Diego between Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and January 3, 2026. Learn more on page 13.

5. Adopt a family. The Box Project matches sponsors to families in need. Sponsors regularly mail household and school supplies, clothing or other needed items. Visit www.boxproject.org for more information.

6. Foster a pet. Organizations like Pact for Animals (www.pactforanimals.org) need foster families.

Shannon Dean is a freelance writer.