Today's guest post is written by Amanda Tradwick, a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on school grants for adults and Michigan education grants.

Volunteering with children is a great way to teach the importance of becoming involved and giving back to the community. It can also teach them to recognize their own privilege and practice empathy toward those who are less fortunate. However, volunteering can often seem like a "chore" to many children, and finding ways to make them feel excited about giving back can sometimes be difficult. Here are some ways that you can help your children learn to love volunteering to begin what can be a lifetime o giving back:

Make it a Group Activity

Look for opportunities to volunteer with groups to which you belong, such as your church, neighborhood organization, or school. Kids are likely to see these outings as a chance to socialize with friends, initially. Once the work begins, your children can get positive reinforcement from the group for a job well done, sparking the volunteer spirit.

Work with Other Kids

Often, children can be wary of working with strangers and other adults and may feel awkward or uncomfortable. They may feel more at ease working with other children with whom they can find some common ground. Look for opportunities for your children to volunteer with or for other children. For example, you might visit the children's ward of a local hospital to sing songs or deliver toys, or perhaps you can visit children at a shelter to bring donated clothes or toys.

Encouraging your children to work with other children can also encourage empathy since they are more likely to identify with those they are helping.

Work with Animals

Many people light up when they are around animals, and this seems especially true for children. Teach your children to show compassion and empathy for animals by volunteering with local animal shelters or hospitals. Kids are likely to enjoy being around these furry companions even if they're cleaning out cages or giving baths. Use the lessons they learn helping the animals to have a talk about the value of volunteering in other ways in the community.

Follow the News

When tragedy strikes -- such as the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan -- people around the world feel compassion for the victims and moved to find a way to help. Children are often no exception. Use the opportunity to talk with kids about ways they can help, either in the community or through organizing a donation effort. Point out how others in the community are also offering their support through volunteering or donating.

Donate

Volunteering encompasses the spirit of giving, and donating items or gathering items in the community for donation is another way to give back. Work with your children to gather items from your home, such as old toys and clothes, to donate to a local shelter. Or have them create craft projects or bake treats for a local hospital or health care facility. Use the time to talk about why it is important to give back to those in need.

Just as there are many ways to volunteer in your community, there are many ways to help you children get excited about those opportunities.

The key is to match your child's interests and skills to the opportunities available. For many children, working with other children and animals is a great way to get started. The best thing to do is to research what the needs are in your community and to find small ways to help that will get your children excited about doing more.