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                    Tips on how to teach children about tzedakah
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                <strong>1. Start young</strong><br />
                Children as young as three or four understand giving and caring. They are already aware of what they like, and they understand what thy care about and how they want to help others. Start out with a collection of different tzedakah boxes- spend time discussing why we care about different parts of our world.<br /><br />
                
                Below are a few examples of how to frame this in a Jewish way:<br /><br />
                
                <strong>We care about animals:</strong> God told the first person that he was responsible for taking care of animals so we need to take care of it too.<br /><br />
                
                <strong>Environment:</strong> Jews believe that we need to treasure the earth our earth is a beautiful place that God lets us borrow - we always need to take good care of the things that we borrow.<br /><br />
                
                <strong>Hunger:</strong> we say blessings over bread because we like to show that we are thankful for food. Other children do not have food to say blessings over, and that is sad. <br /><br />
                
                <strong>Israel:</strong> we have a special land that is a home for us. We can help the people that live there by sending money to help them live happy healthy lives. <br /><br />
                
                <strong>2. Help kids decide where to give</strong> <br />
                Talk to children about what they enjoy and appreciate - giving will help other people appreciate such things as well (one example is the shows that they enjoy on public television).<br /><br />
                
                <strong>3. Make the giving relevant - talk about impact</strong><br />
                Take some time to research the effect of the donation and help explain it to your child. Try to describe some of the changes that the contribution supports. Children are often moved when they hear the news that disaster has befallen a community. Take some time to draw a picture of this together and hang it up. If the organization offers a gift, opt not to receive it, as this can distract from the real reasons for giving. <br /><br />
                
                <strong>4. Start with small donations </strong><br />
                Children have trouble understanding how much things cost. Start with small amounts so they can see the funds grow before you make the donation.
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                Take time every year with your child to go through toys and clothes that can be donated. Remind your child that some people do not have any new clothes to start school and have to wear clothes that are too big or too small. Some children do not have enough clothes to keep them warm.  In addition, have children make a habit of setting toys aside when they feel too old for them. Help them imagine how much fun a younger child could have with an old toy - emphasizing that some kids do not have any toys at all. <br /><br />
                
                After a natural disaster such as a flood or forest fire, provide children an opportunity to give away what they do not need. This will help them feel more grateful for what they have and might dissipate some of the fear. <br />
                
                <strong>6. Increase involvement and contribution as children get older</strong><br />
                Children who are given an allowance can be encouraged to collect a portion and give some every year to a cause that matters to them. Help them research how the recipient organization works and imagine together what their gift can buy to support this good cause. <br /><br />
                
                <strong>7. Make lasting memories</strong> <br />
                Create a tzedakah chain or place in your house where you hang pictures that celebrate your family's giving and achievements. This can help children understand that they should remember and be proud of the good that they have done. <br /><br />
                
                Create a scrapbook to collect recognition that the children receive for giving. Most organizations send a thank you note for the donation 
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                (Inspired by the work of author of Raising Charitable Children, Carol Weisman,)

                
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