Teaching Kids Compassion
Children are born with the natural ability to be compassionate. Kids typically relate and act compassionately to their favorite stuffed animal, other kids and their pets. Problems arise when their ability to be compassionate must compete with other developmental forces such as limited impulse control and the belief that their needs come first. This is why it’s not uncommon for children to hurt pets impulsively and have a hard time sharing with others.
Teaching Compassion
In a world filled with so much hatred, it’s more important than ever to teach our children to be kind to other people and animals. While this might seem like a difficult lesson to teach, it can easily be accomplished by setting a good example every single day. In fact, you’re probably doing this now without even realizing it.
How you speak to your child, how you help them solve conflicts and how much you encourage them to think about the feelings of others all play an important part in how compassionate your child will be.
Although studies show that the most important place that compassion is learned is in the home, for best results all adults in the child’s life should do their part. Children learn from what they see. Practicing compassion is the best way to teach it.
Consistency is Key
Some kids are naturally more tuned in to other people’s feelings than others. No matter which end of the spectrum your child falls, it’s always possible to teach them to be more compassionate.
Developing empathy is a lot like building muscles; the more you use them, the easier it gets. Children learn compassion through their experiences. Compassion is an emotional response and attitude that is deeply empathetic. Compassion allows us to connect to suffering with care and understanding. This enables us to act in ways that bring comfort to those around us.
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