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Community is an important concept for people of all ages. It refers to the connections between people living and working in an area. Strong communities can fight the effects of crime and poverty in their neighborhoods, and community service is one way to strengthen your community. It's never too early to get your kids involved in community service. Child-based community service offers volunteer opportunities for young people. Signing your children up for community service for kids can accomplish the following things.

1. Fulfill educational and disciplinary needs.

Some kids need to participate in community service to fulfill requirements for their school curriculum. Other kids must participate in court-ordered community service as a punishment for breaking the law. Community service can allow kids to perform reparations for prior harms against their community, such as vandalism and theft. Most community service programs will fulfill these requirements. Before signing your child up for a community service program, make sure the program you choose meets the necessary benchmarks for qualification.

2. Create an opportunity to talk to kids about civic duty.

Civic duty is a concept that's vital to any democracy. As citizens, people have certain responsibilities to fulfill that lead to a happy, healthy community. Starting a conversation about civic duty with kids can be difficult, but community service is a great conversation starter. When signing your kids up for community service, talk to them about the reasons it's good to participate in such projects. Let them know that contributing to their community is a great way to show their appreciation for it.

3. Instill good values that will stick with children for a lifetime.

Kids are learning every day. They're developing into the adults they will become in the future. As a parent, you must instill good values into your children. Volunteering is an excellent habit for kids to get into. Signing your kids up for community service can teach them the value of being helpful to others. Making a habit of donating their time will teach kids that it's important to consider others' needs in addition to their own.

4. Spend quality time together as a family.

Finally, community service can help you spend more time with your kids. Some child-based community service projects accept parents as chaperones. Volunteering with your child will give you an opportunity to do something new with them. You may find that you grow closer to each other as a result.

To learn more, contact a resource that offers child-based community service opportunities.