A Parent/Teacher's Guide to Service©

A number of recent studies indicate a substantial majority of Americans are disappointed with kids these days. When asked to describe teens and children, a strong majority used negative words like 'lazy', 'wild', and 'irresponsible'. Less than half of those surveyed believe the next generation will make the world a better place.

These perceptions fly in the face of substantial evidence to the contrary. Every recent study of student interest and involvement indicates young people are volunteering at record levels. In fact:

• 16-18 year olds volunteer more often than any other age group. Thirty percent of 16-18 year olds volunteer.
• 27.6 percent of all young adults volunteer.
• 83 percent of college freshman said they did volunteer work in 2004 compared to 66 percent in l989.
• More than 80 percent of US high schools offer some kind of service club as an after school activity.
• Half of all high schools and one third of all elementary schools have formal service learning programs.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is valuable for children because it:

• Gives parents a concrete way to share their values.
• Reinforces a child's innate sense of compassion for others.
• Boosts self-esteem when children see how their actions can make a positive impact on others.
• Helps ease children's fears. They may be powerless to stop a hurricane, or buy a house for the homeless, but they can regain a sense of control by seeing how their actions can help "fix" what went wrong.
• Helps them develop and do better at school. Community service has been found to improve reading levels, develop leadership and problem-solving capabilities.

The benefit of student programs encouraging volunteerism is extended by clear evidence that youth service establishes a life-long pattern of social responsibility.

• 44 percent of adults volunteer. Two thirds of these volunteers began volunteering when they were young.
• Adults who began volunteering as youth are twice as likely to volunteer as those who did not volunteer when they were young.
• In every income and age group, those who volunteered as youth give and volunteer more than those who did not.

Getting Started

Children want to make a difference. Show them how they can. Here's how to begin:

1. Think small. Kids are never too young to be taught to share and be compassionate. Here like everywhere else in education, studies show the earlier you start the better.
   
   
2. Start small. Help children learn no gift is too small. Little things take seed and become big things. Every act of kindness matters.
   
   
3. Walk the talk. Parents and teachers can set good examples for modeling values in their homes and classrooms. A survey sponsored by American Greetings found that while parents believe caring and sharing are important, they don't communicate those values clearly. Over 90 percent of parents surveyed said that knowing how to treat others well is very important for children to have long-term success in life. More than half said they talked with their children about these values daily; yet children reported the primary topic they heard their parents talk about on a daily basis was doing well in school and getting good grades. Only a third said their parents talked about sharing on a regular basis.
   
   
4. Make it a family/classroom activity. Families can establish a budget for giving. Think in terms of not just money, but of your time-how many hours your family may be able to share throughout the year. Assign each family member a portion of the budget and encourage him or her to choose a charity or cause to support. Teachers can encourage students to decide how they would like to positively impact their community. Give your students the option of doing a service project as a class. Decide together whether your class would like to fundraise, conduct a drive, or do some other activity to help meet needs in your area. Allow your students to brainstorm and encourage everyone's ideas.
   
   
5. Let the children lead. Children are most successful when they "follow their bliss" and volunteer in areas that interest them. Meet to discuss their interests and concerns. Listen and look for giving opportunities that are relevant to the children's experiences and interests. For example, writing a check is not a concept young children can fully comprehend. However, allowing children to choose how to help or what to donate (i.e., books, toys, winter coats, etc.) gives them a very real sense of the value their contribution has in others' lives.
   
   

It doesn't take long to make a difference.

With half an hour a week children can send birthday, holiday and greeting cards to service men and women, shut-ins and the elderly.

With an hour a week, children can gather clothing for the homeless, food for the hungry, or books for children less fortunate.

With five hours a week, children can tutor younger children, organize fund raising events for a favorite cause, pick up litter, clean up the environment or walk to fight a disease.

There are thousands of opportunities in every community. The list of things your children can do is limited only by their desire. Check your local volunteer center for opportunities for children to serve. For more information or to tell us about fun and creative ways you engage your children or students in service contact info@HeartofAmerica.org.

If you know of a child or teen who is already making a difference consider nominating him or her for a Christopher Reeve Award or a Heroes of the Heart™ Gee Whiz Kid™ Award.