Often missing for children in today's world is a sense of community. This sense of belonging to a larger group, says Erikson Institute President James Garbarino, is one of the best ways to combat the growing "toxic social environment" he sees across the nation.
You can help your child develop a good feeling about his or her neighborhood and village in many ways. Remind your child that the Golden Rule applies here. And contributing to one's community is an excellent way to reap its benefits.
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Make a community scrapbook. With a camera, take shots of houses and buildings in your neighborhood, the police and fire station and other favorite community sights.
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Offer to shop for a neighbor with a new baby.
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Go on a walk in your neighborhood with a garbage bag. Fill it with trash.
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Introduce your child to the mail carrier. Perhaps he or she will let your child peek inside the mail truck.
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Pick up the newspaper from the lawn of a neighbor and deliver it to the front step.
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When you have elderly neighbors, volunteer to carry their recycling to the curb each week. Your young child could help you until he is old enough to do it himself.
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Wave to the police officers or the garbagemen as they drive by.
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Get to know the pets in the neighborhood. Your child will love to know their names, what breeds they are and which ones like children or prefer not to be disturbed.
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With your child, make cookies for your neighbors and deliver them together, not because they are sick but just because they are your neighbors.
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Introduce yourself and your child to the clerks in the stores. Call them by name the next time you go into the store (and they'll undoubtedly call you and your child by name, as well).
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Offer to shovel snow or rake leaves for a neighbor who is elderly or sick. Your child can help you.
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Demonstrate friendliness to your child. Say hello to families with children as you pass them on the street or ride by on bikes.
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Show respect for your neighbors by keeping children's toys and bikes off of the sidewalk. Explain why to your child.
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Encourage your older child to read to a younger neighbor.
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Make a list of people who help us. Divide them into subcategories, such as: people who help us stay well; people who build things for us; people who sell things; people who help us travel; people who help us eat. Make a list and add to it as you do errands around the community.
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Use babysitters from the neighborhood. Include your babysitter on a family outing, from time to time.
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Sing "Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?" from Sesame Street.
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As you walk or drive around the community, look for McGruff House signs. While he may be familiar with McGruff Houses in his own neighborhood, your child will be delighted to discover them elsewhere. Remind your child that McGruff Houses signify that someone is usually home and willing to help children.
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Visit the fire station and the police station on their open house days.
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Even if your child is too young to go to the neighborhood elementary school, visit there from time to time. Watch the children playing on the playground. Introduce yourself and your child to the principal. Perhaps you'll spy older neighborhood children who are enrolled at the school.
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Teach respect for other peoples plants. Don't pick someone else's flowers or "pop" the hosta.
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Plan an annual neighborhood event, such as a holiday caroling or a block party. Or begin spontaneous baseball, kickball or kick-the-can games on warm summer nights.
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Help your child write thank you notes for presents or acts of kindness.
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Put up a birdfeeder. Make it your child's responsibility to keep it filled or to alert you when it's empty.
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Welcome new neighbors with a "welcome knock" on their front door. Tell them how lucky they are to have chosen such a wonderful community!
