10 Great Tips on Raising Tomorrow’s Leaders: Our Children

In a world teeming with individual ambition and digital distractions, raising children who understand the value of service and purpose is a breath of fresh air. It’s a journey that calls for deliberate parenting, where values are not just taught but also caught through everyday experiences. 

Children absorb the world through stories, which makes books one of the most powerful tools in shaping their young minds. Audible has a extensive range of audible books which teach about service, humanitarianism and the powerful impact being of service has had on others. Great for listening on the way to school and various activities or lounging around in their room during downtime.

Stories about heroes of faith, community leaders, and even fictional characters who exemplify service and purpose can ignite the flame of leadership. Also be honest about the mistakes you have made and what you have learned to do differently.

Help your children understand why service is essential. Communicate the impact of helping others not just in the community but in their personal growth. Kids who grasp the 'why' behind their actions are more likely to make service a part of their lives.

Having meaningful conversations with your kids can give you deeper insight into what they are thinking and how they are feeling. Conversation cards such as The School of Mindfulness are great conversation starters. Don't neglect quality conversations as they can be the key to developing their heart of service.

Incorporate the concept of service into play. Toys and games encouraging cooperation and understanding can lay the groundwork for future leadership and service. Peaceable Kingdom is a great option and builds collaboration skills.

Children learn by example, and there’s no better way to teach service than by doing it yourself. Get involved in community service as a family. This not only shows your children the importance of service but also gives them hands-on experience. Make service a family tradition.

Whether volunteering during the holidays or a monthly community clean-up, regular participation in service projects can instill a lifelong habit. Volunteer Match is an excellent resource for finding opportunities to serve.

Awareness of the world around them can foster a sense of responsibility in children. Discuss current events and societal issues at a level they can understand, and talk about how leaders are addressing these issues. Exposure to different ways of life, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds can build empathy.

Please encourage your children to befriend people from diverse backgrounds and engage with communities that differ from their own. Learning about different cultures is exciting and fun, Little Passports kits are so fun to open and dig into. Make a bucket lit of places you and your children would love to visit and experience in person.

Leadership often requires organizational skills. Teach your children to set goals, manage tasks, and prioritize their time—skills critical for effective service and leadership.

With all of their various activities, assignments, sport events, lessons and the list goes on, it can be overwhelming for kids but staying staying grounded and writing in a Big Life Journal about their experiences can be a great form of release, reflections and insight into their own personal growth. 

Include your children in the process of financial giving. Please explain why you support particular causes and let them help decide where to donate a portion of their allowance.

There are a variety of different ways to be of service to others, Project Kids Giving is a great way to find projects your kids will be interested in learning more about and get involved.

While the intrinsic reward of service is invaluable, recognizing your child’s acts of kindness reinforces positive behavior. This doesn’t have to be a material reward—praise, a special outing, or a family celebration can all serve as encouragement.

Make service a family tradition. Whether it’s volunteering during the holidays or a monthly community clean-up, regular participation in service projects can instill a lifelong habit.

Exposure to different ways of life, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds can build empathy. Encourage your children to befriend people from diverse backgrounds and engage with communities different from their own.

Introduce your children to role models who embody service and purpose. Local community leaders, educators, or family friends who dedicate their lives to helping others can provide a tangible example for children to follow. You, being the first example and a mentor can also help guide your kids. A great way to find one is in your community and also based on your child's interest, Mentor National, is another great way to find a mentor.

Educate your children about the electing of officials and to look at the fruit of their works to determine what type of candidate will work for the greater good. 

Help your children create a Vision Board where they can post images and quotes that remind them of their goals related to service and leadership.

Hold regular family meetings to discuss ways to help others and make a difference in the community. These meetings can foster a sense of purpose and collective responsibility.

Conclusion

Raising tomorrow’s leaders is no small feat—it requires commitment, resources, and a village of support. By leveraging books, conversations, hands-on experiences, and digital tools, we can impart the values of service and purpose to our children.

Remember, every small act counts, and the lessons learned through these experiences are the building blocks of robust and service-oriented leadership. In nurturing our children’s hearts and minds, we indeed shape the future—one leader at a time.