Teaching Children Three Concepts about Generosity

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

~Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

Developing the trait of generosity and kindness is something that can be started early in small ways and then developed into bigger projects as children grow. What I love about this video is that it demonstrates these three concepts:

• Kindness and generosity can be something very small, helping someone up who falls or carrying something that is heavy for someone else.  We all have opportunities to be kind and generous daily.
• Kindness and generosity encourages kindness and generosity.  When we are kind and generous it begins a never ending spiral of similar acts.
• What you give comes back to you.   

All ages can learn to share random acts of kindness regularly, daily.  When we as parents and teachers model kindness and generosity we can be assured that the thread will continue and ultimately come back to us.
 
Developing and participating in service projects is one way to encourage children to develop a spirit of generosity.  Most schools provide ample opportunities for students to do this from donating canned goods at Thanksgiving to contributing funds when disaster strikes in different parts of the world. Age is of course a factor as well but even young children can learn to give food, toys or clothing to those in need. The best and most life changing service however, is service that involves giving of more than our excess. It involves giving time in service. This might mean spending a Saturday morning in a soup kitchen for the homeless, or volunteering in a nursing home visiting with residents who have no family. It's cleaning up a park or helping out at an animal shelter. Service that moves us out of our comfort zone and challenges us to make a difference in the world develops children and ultimately adults, of compassion and character.

The newest book in the Wyatt series addresses the issues of generosity and giving.  It's not quite ready for publication yet but stay tuned and I'll let you know as soon as its available.  Here's the cover:

Get ready for the upcoming school year by downloading a FREE digital copy of Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns About Being Organized.  It will be available Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 on Amazon.  Here's the link:  Wyatt book

If you are near Woodstock, Georgia on Friday, August 2nd at 6:30pm, come visit me at Foxtale Book Shoppe where I will be signing Wyatt books with lots of other local authors.  I'm also giving away this bag of goodies!  I'd love to see you there.

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