Helping the Homeless in Austin, TX
One of the facets we try to instill in The Investing Kids is to always invest back into the community and help those in need. While that sounds great to the ears, it's not enough to just tell kids to help those in need and expect them to understand it. It's the equivalent of saying "Do as I say but not as I do."
Our brains learn more effectively by visualizing things or practicing. It is well documented that children learn more by seeing and doing things themselves. Thus, we are always looking to create opportunities to practice what we preach so our kids develop the mindset of giving help.
As we've been undertaking charitable projects, we have learned that helping others actually comes very naturally to children. They feel a sense of pride and joy when they help someone else.
Recently, our four year old has started asking us questions whenever she sees a homeless person on the street as we are driving by: "Why are they on the road? What does their sign say? What are they asking for?"
Those are tough questions to answer considering her age. We are always honest with her and tell how they don't have a place to stay at the moment so they sleep in the tent. Their signs sometimes ask for food, sometimes money, or some variation of those two.
This past November on a somewhat chilly day in Austin, she started wondering what they do when it gets cold. This presented us a combined helping and teaching opportunity.
In December, we created 100 bundles of sweatshirts, sweatpants, socks, gloves, and beanies that were distributed to 100 homeless people in Austin, TX.
She helped sort the different sizes and colors, helped organize as well as put together these bundles. (Our two year old was more interested in wearing the socks and gloves.) This was a great way for her to understand and participate in doing something good for which she was already curious about herself.
And she was able to practice by doing. We hope this memory lives with her for a lifetime.