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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®








 THE GOOD NEIGHBOR TOOL KIT: IMPROVING YOURSELF AS A VOLUNTEER cont.

  

Why Volunteer?

Getting Started

Improving Your Community

Improving Yourself as a Volunteer

Fundraising

Working with Volunteers

More Resources

Directory: Links to Charitable Organizations		   Tips for Working With Children
Working well with children takes a special combination of patience, discipline, and love.

· You don’t have to be a parent to successfully work with kids, but you must love.--Rachel Garton, director, Children’s Miracle Network, a national organization that provides financial support to critically ill children and their families.

· Let them know you’ll be there every time. Many kids have had so much disappointment in life that they almost expect you to let them down. Don’t.--Oral Lee Brown, 2000 Good Neighbor Award winner

· Hold children accountable for their actions; if you do they won’t let you down.

· Set short-term, attainable goals; children don’t think long term.

· Keep children focused by reminding them of their goals. “We use a basketball for each class and remind them that Michael Jordan said that the most important reasons for his success were practice and keeping his eye on the ball.”--Jean Clary, 2001 Good Neighbor Award winner

· Expand their horizons. “We take the school classes we sponsor to museums, live theater, and to see state government in action.”-- Jean Clary, 2001 Good Neighbor Award Winner

· Prepare them for new experiences beforehand so they will feel more confident.

· Be firm. Even children who are ill need to have limitations on their behavior.

· Be patient. Be prepared to let children learn and engage at their own pace.

· Teach children about how to interact with others. “We give our third-graders a manners class so they’ll learn to behave in social situations.”--Jean Clary, 2001 Good Neighbor Award Winner

· Have fun.

Eight Tips for Working with the Elderly >