I want to show my six year old son a video about child poverty. Which one?

Question

I can only find long ones which his attention span will not cover (15 minutes talking about economics in the third world is not of interest to my Jimmi!). All that I found on Youtube was set to music and words...his reading is not that good! So, does anyone have any suggestions as to a suitable video to show him that will get accross to him how lucky he is just to have clean water and explain that what I spend on ONE days worth of ''sweeties for Jimmi'' a family have to SURVIVE on for a week in the third (and forth?) world. His grandparents spoil him and I am not innocent of that either and he NEEDS to see how lucky he is. Thanks and Have Fun :0)

Answer 1

Maybe a video isn't the right tool for this job.  I know there was a book published recently that shows families from different countries around the world pictured with the food that they would typically consume in 1 week.  The families come from the US, Germany, Italy, Poland, Mexico, Rwanda, etc.  I saw the pictures in a chain email, and they were very striking (a picture is often worth a thousand words).  I'm sorry I don't know the name of the book, but I bet you could find it on Google or something.  You could use the pictures to start a conversation with your son about how blessed he is and how not everyone else is as fortunate.

There was also a story in the news last week about a 5-year-old boy who saw Oprah's Big Give and got involved -- instead of birthday presents for himself, he asked his parents to buy toys for needy children.  I'm sure you could find this story online or the Oprah clip on YouTube and use this as a conversation-starter as well.

I think it's great that you want to teach your son to be less self-focused, but be prepared that he may not grasp the concept readily at 6 years old.  It's a bit of an abstract and worldly concept for a small child.

Answer 2

I don't know why everyone is on your case, it sounds to me that you are trying to show your kid that not everone has it as easy as he does that to me sounds like your a great parent.  I don't know for sure but you might want to check with your school library or even your public library. I know most schools use united streaming vidieos for topics like these and usually the hole vidieois maybe 10-15 minutes long and it is for school age children. If neither library can help try going to a teacher specialty shop or maybe even try a church, or christian book store, they might have something like what your looking for. Good luck to you and don't let all these other people make you feel bad. You very clearly care for your son and want him to be a good person and that's all that matters.

Answer 3

I guess six is too young to sit thru an economics lecture, its hard enough for adults. I don't know of a good video but I do agree that maybe doing some type of volunteer work my explain part of it. If you go to a soup kitchen he'll see how many folks do not have a meal, let a alone treats.

If you have an area where homeless live, drive thru and show him the people living in tents and under bridges.

As an adult I went on a trip to the Dominican Republic and was shocked by the poverty.  I grew up in Appalacha and was still surprised by the lack of things we take for granted.

Your doing a good thing Mom.

Answer 4

Take him to a soup kitchen or a women's shelter...

Answer 5

If he *needs* to see how lucky he is then start by example.  Start limiting his toys and treats, not as a punishment but as a responsible parent.  Show him how not to be wasteful.  This is the proper forerunner to compassion, not a video.  Frankly even if you find an appropriate video it is not going to teach him anything.  A child's world is just too narrow and he cannot understand what he would be seeing.

Answer 6

I think that at 6 years old a video might be a little overwhelming. How about those World Vision or Foster Parents Plan infomercials? I think that just talking to your little boy about the difference between "want" and "need" and talking about poverty is a good start for his age. How about a adopting a foster child from a poverty stricken country and having your son give up a treat once or twice a week and explaining that you will use the $$ instead to help another child?

Answer 7

i think a video sounds like a great idea, i would love to do it for my daughter and our girl scout troop. I know when we watched american idol gives back her eyes were opened that night.

Answer 8

Leave it out.

Answer 9

if you think so much about world poverty why are you spending money on sweets? if you care so much send it to the third world

Answer 10

You could try the Christian Aid website, it has links to child - friendly information on this kind of issue. The info is not specific to Christianity. From memory, I think you need to go to resources, then scroll down to find childrens' or schools activities, there's a link in there somewhere!

Edit - try www.globalgang.org , that'll save hunting through the Christian Aid site for the link.

Answer 11

How about you talk to your son, instead of having him watch distressing videos