The saying “charity begins at home” is a lesson not only for the holidays. At this time of year, we receive dozens of solicitations from charitable organizations looking for end-of-year contributions. But how do we instill the spirit of giving in our children and show them that giving to charity is more than a one-time Christmas event.

Difficult economic times for many families make it harder to give to charity. After all, your hard-earned pennies have to feed and clothe your own children. So acting charitably – smiling at someone on the street, visiting with a lonely or elderly relative, or volunteering in some capacity –  are some ways that young children may be taught to be generous.

What about all those clothes that children grow out of and toys that are no longer played with? There are many organizations that accept used clothing or toys that are still serviceable. Get your children to help you clean out the closets and bring the bags to agencies that donate to the needy. In this way, you encourage the kids to reflect on their fortune and think beyond their own circumstances.

Sensitizing your children to larger global issues, such as famine and war, depends on the age of a child. For example, if you want to educate your child about protecting the environment, join in a clean-up of a local river or park. Providing leadership teaches a child the importance of giving back in the community.

At learningtoys.ca, young children (age 5 and up) are encouraged to save by using a Moonjar, which is a piggy bank with three compartments: Save, Share and Spend. The idea behind the three-part piggy bank is that financial responsibility involves making a plan for how you will allocate your funds each time that money is earned or received. The Moonjar kit helps your child to create that plan and then stick to it.

You can also incorporate charitable giving into fun activities, such as birthday parties or Christmas events. Your child can select a gift that he or she received and donate it to a worthy organization, such as a hospital or a shelter. Likewise, children attending a party can each bring a small gift that will be donated to your child’s charity of choice.

While adults receive a tax deduction as a “reward” for making a financial contribution to a charity, children also need from some kind of payback or encouragement for their goodwill efforts. As parents, our words are all important, so it is important to share your pride in your child’s charitable accomplishments.