Here are ways that parents can plant the seeds of social consciousness in their children while providing guidance on how they can share with others:

In birthday party invites, ask your child’s guests to omit gifts and instead bring a donation to a charity that your son or daughter has chosen. Have your child present the donations to the charity in person.

You can also set up a charity jar in your kitchen and encourage everyone to put loose change in. Discuss as a family where you’d like the money to go and then present your donation together.

And always encourage your children to volunteer. By working at an animal shelter or doing yard work for an elderly neighbor, they will learn that sometimes the most precious gift we can give is the gift of ourselves.