Teaching Kids to Advocate for Others

Throughout the world, there are people who are poor, struggling, and need assistance. They need others to stand up for them, and help them get back on their feet. We can teach even our youngest to show love to others. In fact, it’s easy to incorporate ideas for being kind into our families and homeschools. 

Our youngest children can do simple tings to show love to and advocate for others. Will you be trick-or-treating this Halloween? Talk to your preschoolers in a way that makes sense to them. Explain that some children cannot do the things they take for granted, like trick-or-treating. Find a candy drive in your area {one of our local pediatric dentists does one}, and encourage your preschooler to divide her candy in half and donate one half to the drive, telling her she’s sharing it with a child who didn’t get to go out and dress in a costume.

When you are going through closets and toy bins, let your preschooler pick out some of his old favorites to donate to families with children who may have lost their things in a natural disaster or house fire.

With your child’s help, organize a baby blanket or toy drive, enlisting the help of your homeschool group. Donate the gathered items to a low-income day care, shelter for women and children, or preschool.

Advocating for others is not limited to people. Your children may be interested in visiting an animal shelter. They can often help fill water dishes, feed the cats and dogs, play with them, and bring items to donate.

Older children can write to congressmen and other legislators to ask for change in situation for which they feel strongly. They can also ask what needs done at your church, and what parishioners feel needs changed. They can present a case for change or action to the church’s staff, board, or to your priest, and try to start a new advocacy program.

Will you share your favorite way to encourage advocacy in your kids in the comments? I’d love some more ideas.

For more great ideas to help you as you work hard to raise great kids, check out these other acts of kindness for kids.