SmartBanking Blog

Fostering a Sense of Community in Your Children

               Many parents wonder about the best way to foster a sense of community within their children. Ironically, as technology has brought those around the world closer to us, it seems like it has pushed us further away from the people in our own communities. Rather than getting out and becoming involved, young people are more focused on the broader world. However, a sense of community is critical for the mental health and wellbeing of young people. How can your child build a sense of community?

1. Encourage your child to attend local events. Local events and gatherings tend to be how communities build a sense of togetherness. Shared experiences and being there for one another fosters your community like few other things can. Therefore, participating in and attending local events can not only make them feel like an integral part of their community but can promote camaraderie between themselves and fellow citizens.
2. Help them find ways to get further involved by making a list of their interests, hobbies, and skills. Then look on social media to see if there is a hole in the community that needs to be filled. Maybe the local animal shelter is looking for volunteers and they are passionate about pet adoption. Or maybe there are other youth in town that need some mentorship. Even something as small as offering to teach a niche skill or starting a group for a particular interest can really improve the quality of life for their community.
3. Show them how the community is already reaching out to them. Places like the local library, youth focused organizations, and more are already trying to reach out to children and young adults to get them out in the community. Many host youth-based events where they can meet each other and have fun! Whether they’re interested in sports, Dungeons and Dragons, or anything else, there is someone in the community already looking to help connect them with others who have the same interests!
4. Make them aware of those in their community in need. Sometimes this can jumpstart their passion for helping those right next door to them. Many nonprofits are always looking for extra help to do tasks they cannot allocate to paid employees, so volunteering is an excellent way to get them started.

       Fostering a sense of community in your child early on can help their mental health, wellbeing, and sense of purpose. It is also a life skill they can take with them wherever they go so that they can become well-rounded adults!