Where can I volunteer and have my four year old son with me?

Answer 1

Church is good. Helping in Sunday school class in an age group the same as your son.

Answer 2

Visiting the elderly ie. reading to them, help arrange living space, etc.? (Old people like seeing youngsters, getting visits and most times tolerant) It would also be a good place for young children to be and to learn about respecting elders and learning compassion.

ESL Learning Center with children close his age. Helps motivate the learner to interact with your child through language. Who knows, your child might even pick up other foreign language phrases.

This Thanksgiving, there are places that sever food to the homeless... They might not mind having a four year old around provided that he stays closer to the salad bar and crackers and not with the soup station.

"Samaritan's Purse" has lots of volunteer activities all over the country. You might want to check with them .... they have the Christmas Child project these next two months, where they sort toys and wrap Christmas shoe boxes. I am sure that they don't mind having little ones around. They usually have whole families volunteer. This helps them a whole lot with deciding appropriate gifts for certain ages.

Same idea goes for "Adopt a Chaplain". Where you go to some ones garage or home and package "necessities" for
Chaplains and Soldiers that are situated in different stations all over the world. It is not hazardous to pack a gift for people.

Hope these suggestions help. Have fun!

Answer 3

Because of potential liability and safety issues, most nonprofits (particularly animal shelters) are not going to allow your four-year-old to be with you while volunteering. For instance, imagine if your child was harmed by a person at a senior center while you were volunteering to serve meals or transport people -- is the center liable for your child's safety or are you?

If you want to volunteer but need childcare, ask a place you would like to volunteer with if they provide childcare. Some do. Be prepared to look knock on many doors, just as you would if you were looking for an employer that provided childcare.

If you are looking to expose your child to helping others, then look for activities you can do from your home, such as helping your child make drawings for a senior center, or to help you put together care packages for a women's shelter, etc.

Some church groups may have children's choirs that tour senior centers, rehabilitation centers, etc. -- talk to them about your child joining such and you joining as a volunteer to help with transportation, supervision, etc.

Answer 4

It's great you're teaching social responsibility to your child so early!

4 year olds are tough. I run into this problem frequently myself with two 9 year olds and a 12 year old. There are two reasons. 1) Attention span and 2) Liability!

Below the age of 8, there's not much they can do from a practical standpoint and, you'll spend your time babysitting and not working yourself.

On the plus side, any activity where one is stationed at one spot, like handing out fliers, tickets, light objects, and stuff like that (soup kitchens with hot or heavy food items are a bad idea for a 4 year old).

My kids, starting at age 8 have done Earth Day clean-ups, light creek restoration, painted antique railroad equipment at a museum (they normally won't take anyone below 12), etc. Next month they're helping at a pro-football game with givaways for Calif. State Parks.

Hope this helps a little. Time to take them to school!

Answer 5

Four is a tough age, because he's so young (and there are liability issues that come into play with the little ones), but I want to personally applaud you for wanting to engage your son so early on!!!

Senior centers are a good start, as are nursing homes. Generally older people LOVE to see the little ones, and he can help with crafts, or just visit with the residents, which makes a huge difference in their day!!

Answer 6

Volunteer for a local day-care center. Or, maybe (even better) a local company that has its own in-house. Another idea I had, is maybe Food SHOPPING for local elderly people in your area or confined in a home?... that can't get there (especially over the colder months). Then again, there's entertainment... too.. maybe you can provide or shuttle movies to/from a Senior Center? (phone one)

You want to do something in-doors clearly, for the season. And short of being a TV-watching Nielson Family for kiddie shows... it would have to include something where you can also keep your eyes on the little one. And that the environment itself won't do him/her any harm.

Answer 7

I would try shelters....
they usually let anyone volunteer and they probably wont let ur son near many fo the animals but he probably will be able to play with some!
it will be fun for him and u 2!!!
good luck with your volunteerness!! =]

Answer 8

I always took my children to the local nursing home. It's wonderful and it's like having 50 grandparents for your child!
They will love your son and he will bring them such joy!

Answer 9

maybe at the shelter for abused women with there children or at an alderly home elders really love pets and kids

Answer 10

Have you tried your local YMCA they will usally keep your child in their day care for 2 hours or so if you are looking for that kind.