by Ann E. Smith

Created on: June 07, 2009

Generosity comes in many forms. We give of ourselves monetarily by supporting our churches and various charitable organizations. We give of our time through volunteering at local hospitals, running marathons to raise money for research or teaching Sunday school class.

We also give of our spirits, as we strive to be kind and thoughtful in our actions. And we share of our talents with others through various activities.

As parents, it is important that we teach our children how to be generous. They look to us for their life lessons, and we have great influence over them in their early years.

It is never too early to start showing your child how to be giving, and to instill the importance of this in their hearts. Below are some tips on how to teach children generosity.

* Set an example whenever you can.

The first and primary way to teach and instill certain character traits in your kids is to live them yourself. You need to be a strong example of someone who is giving in nature.

Your children observe you and look up to you. They intuitively pick up on far more than you realize.

Do you exemplify kindness by being polite to people you encounter at the grocery store? Do you speak to your neighbors when you cross paths on the walking trail? Do you show patience when an elderly driver is in front of you, even if you are in a rush?

Do you engage in volunteer and community activities with some of your spare time? And do you find time to donate to various causes, even though you have a busy schedule?

True generosity is taught in the home, and the best way to teach it is through actions. And instead of choosing one charitable thing to do each year, it is far better to weave generosity into the fabric of your life, and those of your children.

* Enroll your children in volunteering activities.

Actions are indeed important. As a parent, you have a lot of influence over some of the things your children do. The summer often offers a lot of free time.

How about enrolling your children in volunteering activities for kids their age? This is an ideal way to let them explore their generous sides. And they can gain perspective and compassion during such projects.

* Talk to your children about the importance of giving.

You do not want your kids to turn out to be self-centered brats, now do you? It is up to you to try to stop such a terrible outcome!

Use books and Bible lessons as catalysts for talks with your children about the nature of giving. You need to consistently

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