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Encouraging teens to volunteer should be an integral part of family attitudes and activities from almost the very beginning of the child's life. Of course, they are taught math and science in school, but they learn personal responsibility and consideration for others when their parents encourage them to volunteer.

Long before the teen years, parents should start teaching children about volunteering. There are occasions where small children can participate, such as with church bazaars, community clean-ups, school fundraisers and walkathons. Participation in the events should be strictly voluntary for the younger children, and they may be encouraged to join in with a sense of shared family fun, as well as to establish a growing awareness of the spirit to help others.

As the children approach their teen years, the volunteer activities should continue with family encouragement. They're also the years when joining youth-oriented organizations is available, including Scouting, the Salvation Army, Red Cross, hospital aides and school community clubs. There are many other opportunities for the pre- and early teens to begin more challenging, long-term volunteer efforts.

Throughout the child's life, especially during the critical teen years, parents must show by positive example their own ongoing roster of meaningful volunteer activities. Volunteering and positive attitudes about community service should be a constant part of the maturation process for children.

Young children who've participated in community, church and school volunteer programs with their parents are most apt to continue doing it when they reach their teen years. It usually becomes an ingrained part of their lives and attitudes, and even during busy school classes, sports, relationships and social activities, they'll always manage to find time to continue volunteering.

As an important part of encouraging teens to volunteer, parents must continuously emphasize the very practical benefits. Of course, the primary gain is the teen's growing mature sense of personal and family responsibilities. Additionally, the community-minded teen with a meaningful list of volunteer work on the high school report card and a resume to match, has great advantages. When those admirable records are sent out to prospective higher education institutions and potential employers, a solid history of volunteerism can be just as important as grade averages.

Teens must be encouraged to volunteer, and the process should start long before they reach those critical teen years. Volunteering will teach them to become responsible and productive citizens, and eventually to pass on the admirable family tradition to their own children.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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