5 Ways to Teach Your Kids How to Ask for Help in Your Community

Summer is a great time to get out in your community. It’s also a great time to teach your kids how to ask for help.

Did you know that one survey found only 27 percent of Americans ask for help before taking on a new endeavor and 13 percent never ask for help? Recent research also found that children as young as seven can believe “that asking for help would make them appear incompetent, weak, or inferior.” We need to make sure our children know it’s okay to ask for help.

We’ve created a small summer scavenger hunt to help you do just that while getting out in your community and becoming familiar with local resources. If your kids are young, you’ll be the one asking for help. Seeing a parent ask will show kids that it’s okay to ask for help. If your kids are old enough to ask, then have them ask or ask for help together.

1. Find a new food at a local farmer’s market.
   

   Walk around and look at the booths until you find a food that is new to your family. Ask the farmer at the booth what it is and how one would prepare the item. Then purchase enough for your family to try and cook it for dinner together.

2. Find something new to read/listen to/watch at your library.

   Find a librarian and ask for help finding a new book to read or listen to or a new movie to watch. Ask what their favorite book or movie is. If it’s one the family hasn’t read or seen, check it out and read, listen to, or watch it as a family.

3. Find a new activity to do as a family at your parks and recreation district.

   Head in and talk with the person at the front desk or give your local parks and rec a call on the phone. Ask if they have any family nights coming up or what activities they can suggest for your family. Then pick one and have some fun.

4. Find a community day.
   

   Call your local fire department or police station to see if they’re hosting any community days or open houses. If they are, attend and see what questions you can come up with and if you can learn something new.

5. Find an item in a store.

   Are you heading to a store to pick something up that isn’t normally on your list? Ask a store employee to help you find it. Even if you can eventually find it on your own, save some time and have an employee show you where it is.

By getting out into your community, you’ll meet new people, discover local resources, and create great opportunities to teach your kids how to ask for help.