Teach your child charity by being charitable

Teaching children to be charitable can start with simple acts such as encouraging them to donate unwanted toys to an orphanage. — Positive Parenting

Charity begins at home – that’s how the saying goes.

As such, charitable acts too, begin at home as children observe the adults around them on a daily basis.

When considering charity and charitable acts, it is important to remember that one does not have to be rich to be charitable.

Although charity is often associated with giving money, it is also the quality of being kind to others and not judging them in a severe way.

Not being able to donate money does not mean one cannot still be charitable.

This is the first message to teach our children.

The best way to to instil charitable thoughts in our children is to lead by example, for children learn through observation.

Start with simple acts of kindness, like smiling and saying thank you to others.

Instead of making fun of others in their presence, look for and talk about their good traits.

Empathise rather than criticise.

All too often, we mock and demean without actually meaning to do so, and these habits are witnessed and repeated by our children.

Avoid categorising people based on their appearances, nationalities and occupations.

Instead, teach children that everyone is equal and should be treated as such, irrespective of how they look or dress, or their level of education.

Emphasise less on material wealth and more on kindness.

While we need money to live, it is important that we not hinge everything on material wealth and measure success by how much one makes or owns.

The act of giving to charity can also be taught from a very young age.

While donating to beggars is frowned upon, we can contribute to various causes, many of which are publicised from time to time in malls, etc.

Take the time to stop by these booths so your child can hear about the causes these organisations champion.

Give generously to your staff and employees.

I grew up watching my mother buy a pack of apples for her staff from time to time, as well as sewing frocks with smocking when they had babies, as gifts.

In return, I also witnessed her patients help her weave kelongsong ketupat from the leaves she took to her clinic in the hope of weaving them in between patients.

Imagine her surprise when she found that these ketupat cases were all woven by the end of her workday.

Imagine too, the gratitude felt by her staff upon receiving the gifts.

These happened in the 1970s and early 1980s, yet they remain fresh in my mind, 40 years after her demise.

That is the impact of my mother’s charitable act on my impressionable child’s mind.

No lectures were needed; just acts of kindness, and proof that what goes around comes around, in the nicest possible way.

Our maids were also treated with respect and kindness.

We weren’t allowed to order them around.

Every request had to be made politely and be thanked when fulfilled.

An older child can also be exposed to organisations like soup kitchens, which provide food to the homeless.

Such exposure will enable them to reflect on their own circumstances and appreciate what they have.

While volunteering, they will also learn to be mindful of their words and actions, thus teaching them humility.

To avoid any untoward incidents, do brief them on the do’s and don’ts before heading out to the soup kitchens.

In summary, charity and charitable acts can be taught from a very young age, simply by practising them ourselves.

Children learn through observation, and witnessing their parents engage in charity and charitable acts can leave a long-lasting impact.

Dr Yong Junina Fadzil is a consultant paediatrician and paediatric cardiologist. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.