A fun curriculum suggestion: Teaching young children to be charitable

A quality child care program is a valuable addition to any community.  Teaching young children to be charitable will contribute to a positive reputation for your child care center.Parents are the most important influence in a child's life and child care staff can play an important role in involving parents in teaching young children to be charitable.  Volunteering to help others by organizing and running a charitable fund raising event is a wonderful way for children to learn the virtue of Christian love.  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Trike-A-Thon events are a rewarding and emotional way to raise funds for charity.A few weeks before the charity event teachers, parents and their children solicit pledges of money for the childen participating in the event.  All tax deductable checks are made out to St. Jude Children's Hosiptal, and the proceeds of the event help doctors and researchers find cures for children suffering from cancer and other diseases.Days before the event the children are taught bicycle safety rules, including the importance of wearing a helmet, and never riding in the street.  The day of the event the children bring to school their tricycles or any type of riding toy along with their helmets.  At a predetermined time all of the children are allowed to ride in an organized fashion.  If your child care center elects not to host a Trike-A-Thon, there are numerous creative alternatives i.e., Hop-A-Thon or Dance-A-Thon.The St. Jude Trike-A-Thon is a wortwhile cause which allows teachers and parents to involve children in a good physical activity, as well as a chance to set goals for a charitable fund raising event.Following the event the children can be rewarded for their charity with a fun special snack.Teaching children to volunteer their time and efforts is a good activity that builds decent, caring citizens.  Children should be presented with learning opportunities, as in this one that is designed to challenge them!