Teach Kids How to Speak Up About Important Issues in Our Community
In every community, there are issues that matter. Whether you care about Biscayne Bay, hurricane preparedness, flooding, education, neighborhood improvements, or another local cause, your voice matters. You do not have to be an expert or have all the answers. Start by learning, listening, asking questions, and finding constructive ways to participate.
It can feel daunting when thinking about the sheer number of problems our community faces, but positive change begins when just one person is willing to speak up. And, empowering our children to speak their minds will lead to a brighter future for everyone. One of the most important ways we can contribute to our communities is by speaking up.
Start a Conversation
There are many important issues facing communities throughout South Florida. You might care deeply about protecting our beaches and waterways, supporting children and families, helping older adults, improving access to educational opportunities, caring for animals, or making neighborhoods stronger. Talk with your family about issues that affect your neighborhood. Learn about local organizations working on causes you care about. Share reliable information with friends and encourage them to get involved. And, contacting your elected officials when you feel strongly about an issue can teach your children about being engaged citizens.
Talk to your children about why it is important to be an active citizen. Encourage your children to bring up issues that matter to them, and talk about how they can make a difference.
Practice Speaking Up Without Shutting Others Down
Everyone wants to be heard, from kids, to grown-ups, to long-lost relatives across the holiday table. But too often, we steer clear of the issues we really care about, hovering instead on weather patterns and sports news.
These days, even those issues can feel risky.
Every topic worth discussing carries the risk of conflict, and we, as a society, seem to be losing our knack for disagreement.
At Doing Good Together™ we believe that facing disagreements with heart and curiosity is a crucial skill to teach our children and ourselves.
Turn Your Voice Into Action
Making a difference does not always require taking on a huge issue. Sometimes the best place to start is right outside your front door.
Get to know your neighbors. Participate in a community cleanup. Help keep a local park or shared space clean. (Miami-based volunteercleanup.org is the perfect place to start to find cleanups near you.) Check on someone after a major storm. Encourage your family to volunteer.
Spread the word for a cause you care about. Write your own newsletter, create a flier, or make a video about an issue your family is passionate about. Teaching others is a great way to learn about a topic while inspiring people to take action.
When people share their experiences and concerns, they help bring attention to issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Your family’s voices can help others understand why an issue matters and encourage them to get involved, too.
Doing Good Together’s Miami Kindness Project content is FREE thanks to the generous support of the Al and Jane Nahmad Foundation.