As the weather warms up, you can help your children warm the hearts of their friends, family, and community. There are so many ways children can meaningfully impact the lives of those around them. With just a little assistance, your child can put a smile on the face of a grandparent, a neighbor, or even a new friend. Here are just a few ideas for how you and your child can do something good this summer—and have fun in the process!
1. Donate Clothes and Toys
As children grow, they will grow out of clothes or have toys that no longer fit their developmental stage or interest. Summer is the perfect time to choose several items to donate to a worthy cause. When you’re sorting through toys and clothes together, take a moment to explain how donations can make a big difference in the life of another boy or girl. This activity will teach your little one the importance of helping those in need while also creating some extra space in their room.
2. Help a Neighbor
You may live close to an older person or another individual who could use a helping hand. Even small children can bring a newspaper to a doorstep, sweep a front porch, or pick weeds in a flower bed. You can help increase your child’s confidence, patience, and connection to others by letting them donate their time and effort to someone else. By helping out when and where they can, they’ll practice empathy, community awareness, and more!
3. Bake Up Some Friendship
Who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked cookies filling their kitchen? You and your child can have fun kneading bread dough, sprinkling chocolate chips in the batter, and icing delicious cakes—all for the benefit of others. Drop the chocolate chip cookies at the local fire department, the loaf of bread at a shelter or youth home, and the cake at your local assisted living facility. And since it’s summer, don’t forget the lemonade, too!
4. Make a Bird Feeder
Caring for local wildlife can be just as engaging and caring as for other people. You and your child can easily craft a bird feeder to hang in the backyard, providing some delicious seeds and grains for your neighborhood’s feathered friends. With just a plastic bottle, some pegs, and a pair of scissors, you and your child can attract amazing wildlife that will provide hours of entertainment and education.
5. Offer Some Refreshments
In many parts of the country, summer afternoons can be downright sweltering, especially inside a UPS, FedEx, or another delivery vehicle. Make the summer heat a little more tolerable by helping your child stock a cooler with some beverages on the porch or help them hand out ice-cold water bottles and simple snacks to your neighborhood delivery drivers. This small action will help your child see how even tiny acts of kindness can make a big difference.
A Preschool That Promotes Doing Good
The impact of doing good is limitless, and individual acts of kindness create a ripple effect. The Gardner School understands the value of providing ways for children to develop empathy by connecting with others. By investing in strong connections in our local community, we prioritize helping children feel connected to those around them. We are committed to helping you raise compassionate children who care for each other and the world. Schedule a visit or a virtual tour today to learn more about our warm and welcoming early childhood care.