The Simple Way to Teach Kids About Helping Others
Children are naturally curious. They’re also good at understanding feelings and they seem to automatically know how to be kind. But you need to encourage that kindness.
The good news is that teaching kids to help others is surprisingly easy.
You’ll want to tap into their desire to copy you. Lead by example and make sure they see the small actions you do for others.
Kindness can also be shown in everyday conversations, giving them lessons about compassion that will stick for life. Encourage them to make a small donation, it helps show how their choices can make a real difference to the world.
Lead by Example
Kids notice almost everything around them.
If they see you helping someone, being compassionate, or donating time/funds to a cause, they recognise your compassion. It helps them understand the value of kindness.
Make sure they see you helping a neighbour or volunteering your time for others. You don’t have to say anything, your everyday actions send a powerful message to your children. It tells them that helping others is not just something you say, it’s something you do.
Make Giving Tangible
Charity is a strange concept for many children to grasp. Instead of explaining this, try showing them how giving creates real change.
For example, let them pick out food items to donate to a local pantry, or involve them in choosing toys or clothes they’ve outgrown to pass on to other children. You could also introduce them to causes like the Surf Life Saving Foundation, where fundraising directly supports lifesaving services. Seeing how their contributions help keep communities safe makes the idea of giving more real and meaningful.
When they see their small actions making a visible difference they begin to connect generosity with impact.
Encourage Acts of Kindness at Home
Helping others doesn’t always have to involve money or organised events. Encourage kids to practice kindness in simple ways, such as:
- Sharing toys with siblings or friends
- Writing thank-you notes to teachers or caregivers
- Helping set the table or tidy shared spaces
- Checking in on family members with a call or drawing
These everyday habits teach that kindness isn’t a one-off gesture. It’s a way of life.
Use Stories to Inspire
Children learn best through storytelling. Let them read books, watch films, and even tell them personal family stories. Make sure the stories are compassionate.
Afterwards, ask your child questions like, “How do you think that character felt when someone helped them?” This helps children see empathy as something active and rewarding.
Celebrate Their Efforts
When kids take steps to help others, recognise it. Praise their initiative and share how their action made a difference. It will encourage them to do it again. Being positive about their actions will boost their confidence. At the same time, it makes kindness something they’ll do throughout life.
Planting Seeds for the Future
Teaching children to help others in simple, practical ways ensures they develop compassion, empathy, and community-minded living. It’s normal for children to take these simple lessons to heart and live by them for the rest of their lives.
