By: Laura Lambert
At The Livermore Learning Tree, we emphasize giving back and fundraising for those in need throughout the year. It is important for children to learn habits of helping others in the early stages of their lives, although often times, educators, caregivers, and parents may find it difficult explaining to preschoolers how and why it is important to help others in need. The following blog informs parents of how we implement these tactics at The Learning Tree and how you can apply them to your child’s life at home.
Currently, the Livermore Learning Tree is participating in the Pennies for Patients fundraiser. For those of you that may not be familiar with this charitable event, the money earned from each class benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In school, we make sure to discuss with the children the importance of helping others by relating the situation to their own lives. We may say to them, “There are kids in the hospital that don’t feel good and they need a little extra money to help make them feel better.” We then explain that they may use the money to buy school supplies, books, or medicine and need us to help them if we can. We also make it an exciting routine by allowing the children to put the spare change into the classroom box and giving them responsibility of taking care of their own boxes (with parents help). Because preschool aged children are sometimes still dependent on others as well as naturally egocentric at times, there is also the incentive of getting a pizza party for the classroom that makes the most money!
There are numerous ways to help your children understand the importance of giving back at home as well. Here are a couple of ideas you can try:
- having him/her choose a charity that interests them to collect money or supplies for such as arts in schools or a local
museum - create a project together that can be donated such as blankets, scarves, and/or cards
- Each time you shop at the supermarket, have him/her pick up a nonperishable item and store it in a bin and when it’s full, you and your child can bring it to a local food pantry