The holiday season is soon-approaching, and so is the wonderful season of giving! As parents and teachers, it’s important to show our kids the true meaning of the holidays; it’s not about receiving, but about how we can give back to our families, friends, and the world around us. Here are some ways you can instill the spirit of giving in your children:

Donate

Encouraging your children—both young and old—to donate new and old clothes and toys they don’t want to a Goodwill, Salvation Army, or even a local toy drive is a wonderful way to get them in the habit of understanding why giving to help others is important. They can experience the act of giving first-hand!

Volunteering Around the Community

Going to places like animal shelters to volunteer is a great way to expose your child to volunteer work and how it can benefit their community. The impact: studies have shown that kids who actively volunteer within their communities are likely to have more respect for others and leadership skills that can stick with them well into adulthood. In addition, your child will love working with adorable animals like puppies and kittens (and you can use this as a way to dodge the question of whether or not they can have a pet)!

Pay it Forward

We’ve all heard of “paying it forward,” where you perform a small act of kindness in hopes that the person on the receiving end will be motivated to perform an act of kindness themselves. For adults, this may include paying for the person’s meal who’s in line behind us, which serves as a good model for children; however, children can perform similar kind acts. Encourage your child to possibly leave a kind note behind for a student at school to find, or offering to help their teacher after school.