Ask a child what it means to “help” and they undoubtedly understand, but volunteering is a whole new vocabulary word for many young kiddos. The truth is no matter what jargon you use to describe it, giving back to one’s community is a good deed that even little ones can be a part of. It’s up to you, though, to introduce it.

Since April is National Volunteer Month, now’s a great time to get your children involved in age-appropriate community service. As with, say, setting screen time rules and doing chores, starting good habits about giving back when kids are young can pay off big time in the long run; it can help them practice life skills in real settings, and maybe even give them a glimpse into a potential future career path.

Here are 5 ways to encourage your kids to volunteer (with a little help from the whole family):

Lead by example. Just as you may introduce and share hobbies or interests with your child — referred to in the parenting space as “mini adulting” — you can also turn volunteering together into a bonding activity. Something beneficial you can do together is attend a neighborhood clean-up (just in time for Earth Day on April 22) or a clothing drive. The whole family can take part, and the kids will see its impact almost immediately.

Determine the time commitment. Will your child be volunteering with the same cause weekly? Monthly? Or only for one-offs or special events? Figure out how much time your child can allot in their after-school and extracurricular schedule before committing. Then, ask around for community volunteer opportunities that fit the bill, or search sites like VolunteerMatch, which can help you and your child weigh your options. You can also check out remote volunteer opportunities for kids that may be more flexible.

Find an opportunity that interests them. Your kid (probably) won’t complain that they’re bored if the activity they’re doing aligns with their interests, and if they have a say in what the activity is. Some ideas: An animal lover can spend time at a shelter or rescue center; an aspiring chef can assist in preparing and serving meals at the food kitchen; a future teacher can tutor and/or help younger neighborhood kids with homework. In fact, in high school, two of my friends and I tutored three brothers at a local library (but side note, none of us grew up to be teachers).

Start small. You don’t need to spend hours volunteering or too much time figuring out what your kid can do to help. Even small gestures can drive the point home. My son has never stepped foot inside a soup kitchen, but we teach him the concept of good deeds in more subtle ways like by donating non-perishables and gently worn clothes to nearby shelters, sending in cereal boxes for his drive at school, and picking out and buying new toys for less fortunate kids during the holiday season. Sometimes, even engaging in friendly conversation with a chatty older neighbor “counts,” since it’ll put a smile on their face.

Take initiative. If there are no opportunities available that strike your kid’s fancy, help them start their own volunteering ops. Set up a lemonade stand and donate the money to charity, organize a letter-writing party to community workers, or gather a group of family and friends to walk and raise money for a near and dear cause. Honestly, the options are endless.

How do you and your kid(s) give back?

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