The following tips are from the Family Dinner Project, a grassroots movement to encourage eating well and family dinner conversations about things that really matter; in this case, about how to encourage children to give back.
Call someone you appreciate. Talk about people your family appreciates, then take time to text or call them, telling them so. Talk as a family about the person's reaction and how it felt to share your gratitude.
Discuss ways to "pay it forward." Explain that when we do something nice for someone, they can then do something nice for someone else. Brainstorm ways to pay it forward together. Examples include adding coins to an almost expired parking meter or pass along a book you liked for someone else to enjoy.
Plan to combine dinner and service. Think of ways to use some of your dinnertime to help other people enjoy a great meal. Volunteer together at a food bank once a month at dinnertime, or make a meal as a family and deliver it to someone who has limited time or resources.
Make giving a part of your regular life. Ask your children who earn an allowance to divide it into three jars: spend, save, and give. Establish a family "give" jar into which everyone contributes. Show your children where you donate your own money and encourage them to donate to causes they believe in, too.
Call someone you appreciate. Talk about people your family appreciates, then take time to text or call them, telling them so. Talk as a family about the person's reaction and how it felt to share your gratitude.
Discuss ways to "pay it forward." Explain that when we do something nice for someone, they can then do something nice for someone else. Brainstorm ways to pay it forward together. Examples include adding coins to an almost expired parking meter or pass along a book you liked for someone else to enjoy.
Plan to combine dinner and service. Think of ways to use some of your dinnertime to help other people enjoy a great meal. Volunteer together at a food bank once a month at dinnertime, or make a meal as a family and deliver it to someone who has limited time or resources.
Make giving a part of your regular life. Ask your children who earn an allowance to divide it into three jars: spend, save, and give. Establish a family "give" jar into which everyone contributes. Show your children where you donate your own money and encourage them to donate to causes they believe in, too.