Many schools have a community service qualification in their curriculum which encourages students to seek volunteer opportunities in the hopes they’ll become more well-rounded. It’s important to encourage volunteering early on because volunteering enhances a student’s educational experience by taking lessons outside the classroom. Here are some of the many benefits to encouraging students to volunteer.
Personal Responsibility
Though homework assignments and exams teach a student personal responsibility on a basic level, they are only accountable for themselves. Volunteer work puts students in a situation where they work on a team one main goal. A student can see how their actions have a direct impact on the community, which can develop a sense of importance to affect change on a higher level.
Puts Their Lives into Perspective
Young people who are still developing their view of the world may sometimes only be exposed to what they see online and in the media. Many students don’t fully grasp the idea of their own privilege, and it’s a tough lesson to teach without putting them in a situation with context. Volunteering, whether it’s for the homeless or at an animal shelter, can give students a sense of gratitude for the things in their life they may take for granted.
Community Awareness
Living in a bubble shuttling from school to sports and back home can prohibit young people from being aware of what’s going on right in their community. Civic engagement is important for students to learn early on, and volunteering is a great way to raise their consciousness of issues right in their backyard.
Experiential Learning
None of these lessons mentioned can be taught in a classroom from a textbook. Hands-on experiential learning gives students concrete experience of how things work in the real world. Developing a value system is not something that can be taught, but rather realized through life experiences.
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