Children learn many valuable lessons from getting involved in their local community, while helping those in need. They’ll understand how important it is to give back where we can, and how being part of a strong community helps foster a sense of belonging and improves self-confidence. There are many ways to get children involved in community activities, from volunteering to help the elderly to taking part in environmental preservation projects. Read on to learn more about the benefits children get from community involvement from an international school in North London.
Exploring their interests
If your child is particularly interested in something, like environmentalism or raising awareness of a cause, community activities focused on these aspects will give them a chance to explore their passion. They’ll learn more about the topic and gain a real-life perspective on it; for example, by volunteering to pick litter in their community they’ll see first-hand how discarded rubbish affects the environment and local wildlife habitats. Activities like these enhance children’s school learning and fostering their interest in this way will allow them to fully explore it and may even lead to a future career related to it.
Real world skills
Encouraging children to get involved in the community enables them to develop valuable real-world skills they can take forward into adulthood; for example, volunteering in a charity shop equips them with customer service skills, and making meals for the elderly teaches them how to cook. As well as practical skills, they’ll also develop a number of soft skills such as communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work as part of a team if they participate in team-based activities. They’ll also develop emotional intelligence, something which is important in working life.
A different perspective
Community involvement gives children a different viewpoint on life, one they might not have considered otherwise. Children often don’t realise that not everyone lives in the same way as them and that there are people less fortunate than them; getting out and about in their local area and seeing how other people live will help them feel grateful for what they have and hopefully eager to help improve other people’s lives where they can. This broader perspective on life will stand them in good stead as they grow and mature and help them show empathy for others going through challenging situations.
Building beneficial relationships
Having strong relationships with a variety of different people benefits children throughout their life and they can develop these important relationships through community involvement. They might form a friendship with an elderly person who can impart valuable knowledge and advice, or with someone they can confide in without fear of judgement. Sometimes children find it hard to talk to their parents or teachers about any struggles they’re facing, so having an objective person to offload to and seek support from can help them overcome any obstacles.
Improving self-esteem
Getting involved in their local community helps children feel a sense of belonging, and that they are important and have a role to play. This helps shape their sense of identity, which in turn boosts their confidence. Children learn what they’re capable of through taking part in community activities and learn to trust in their own abilities, which helps them approach life with a positive attitude, especially when it comes to overcoming hurdles.
As you can see, children gain a lot from community involvement. They’ll learn how good it feels to give back and help others and feeling a sense of belonging and importance will boost their self-esteem and encourage them to take on new challenges throughout their life.
