Developing the Giving Habit - A Newsletter for Parents of Fifth Grade Children

When children are little, parents are anxious to teach them to share their toys with brothers, sisters, and friends. As they grow up, we want them to continue sharing.

Children soon learn people do not have the same resources. They notice the differences in clothes, toys, homes, cars, and other material possessions.

At the same time, children also know it takes money to buy all these things. As your child makes decisions about earning, saving, and spending money, you can help the child develop a habit of sharing with others.

Developing the Giving Habit

Start by talking to your child about what you do to share what you have with others. Point out the agencies, churches, or various causes you support. Then help the child set realistic goals for his or her own giving and sharing.

Next, spend time talking with your child about all the resources he or she has to share. The child may first think just of money. But remind the child about time, talents, and ideas.

Here are some additional ideas to help you teach your child the giving habit.

• Put a box in your child's room to put outgrown clothes and unwanted toys in.
• Have your child go with you to take the clothes and toys to the church rummage sale, the neighborhood center's clothing drive, or the Salvation Army.
• Take your child with you when you volunteer. As the child gets older, encourage him or her to volunteer too.
• Identify a community project that your entire family can devote time, money, or materials to.
• Make plans for giving gifts for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Help your child think about alternatives.

Learning Together 

As you discuss sharing and giving with your child, use some of the words listed below. Then have him or her complete this activity by drawing a line from the word on the left to its meaning on the right. It may be necessary to use a dictionary for some of the words.

Answers: 1f, 2e, 3a, 4h, 5d, 6g, 7c, 8b

Prepared by Donna K. Donald, family life field specialist, and Vicki W. Sickels, former family support program associate, and edited by Laura Sternweis, communication specialist, Iowa State University Extension

....and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Stanley R. Johnson, director, Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.

This newsletter is published for families with first grade children by Iowa State University Extension. For more information about parenting education, contact your local county extension office or access the Iowa State University Extension to Families website, www.extension.iastate.edu/families.