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Home is
every child’s first community. What children see in that context
influences greatly how they interact with one another in the broader
communities of their neighborhood, school, town, country, and ultimately,
the world.
Parents can have an enormous impact in helping young people become good
citizens of their communities. Here’s how:
First, stay informed. Keep up with community concerns, beginning in
your own neighborhood and extending to global issues. Let your child
see you using a variety of sources for your information: friends and
neighbors, newspapers and magazines, radio and television, and responsible
sites on the Internet.
Be sure to vote. Let your child go with you to the polls, or watch you
fill out an absentee ballot, and explain why it is important to vote
in local, statewide, and national elections. Explain that at age 18
he or she will have this right and responsibility as well.
Speak up by writing it down. When you can’t speak directly to policymakers
about an issue that is important to you, write a letter. Explain to
your child why you are writing. Encourage children to write letters
about issues that concern them, whether it’s a misleading toy advertisement
or pollution by a local industry.
Find at least one cause or need in your community where you can volunteer
your help. Let your children know why you think it is important and
how you’re trying to help. Let your child join you if he or she
wants. Most children will be eager to become involved. Don’t force
it if they’re not. Let each child choose where and how to help.
Opportunities range from helping other kids or senior citizens, to helping
animals or an environmental project.
Find and share success stories with your children. It’s easy to
become overwhelmed by problems in the community or the world, but individuals
can and do make a difference. Talk about the importance of joining forces.
Encourage children to involve their friends or classmates in tackling
big projects such as a creek or playground cleanup.
All these activities help reinforce the actions of good citizens.
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