Generally speaking, the world would be a better place if people were kinder to each other. If all parents raised their children to be helpful, the new generation would be the most compassionate yet. Bringing up a kind child means that you have to take the opportunity to shape your child as they grow. This desire has many parents searching for easy tips for teaching children kindness.
Having a compassionate child will result in having a caring adult, which will make the world a better place! Through teaching kindness, parents can help stomp out hate and bullying.
4 Easy Tips for Teaching Children Kindness
Teaching kindness to your child can feel intimidating. However, it can be quite straightforward. All you need is some real-life opportunities to teach and show compassion.
Using everyday situations to encourage understanding will give your child a chance to strengthen this skill. For example, encouraging them to help their siblings with homework or sit with a new student at lunch will give them real-life examples of how to be kind.
Next, you want to make sure your kids are confident so that they are not afraid to share their kindness to the world. Teaching your children consideration doesn’t have to be a challenge. Here are four easy tips for teaching children kindness.
1) Lead by Example
Children learn best when they see examples and experience real-life situations. By being kind yourself, you are not only leading by example, but you are also showing them how exactly to be helpful.
Maybe this is always saying “thank you” and “please.” Doing this can also be those times you maintain your composure when you’re angry or frustrated with someone.
Leading by example shows your child exactly what you expect of them. It teaches them how to be kind, learning from the person they trust the most.
Helping someone push a broke down car or giving your seat up on the bus shows your children kindness applies to all situations. It also shows that being kind is easy and natural.
2) Teach them Empathy
One important thing to teach a child is empathy. Your child will run into tons of situations with their friends or at school, where understanding can be helpful to them.
If something happens to another child, ask them how they would feel if it had happened to them. Talk about the feelings involved and how they can help the situation.
Maybe a child was bullied, but your child can sit with them at lunchtime. Or, your child may witness another child falling. Instead of laughing at them like the other children, they may be inspired to help the child up.
3) Give Them Opportunities to be Kind
An elderly neighbor may need help carrying their groceries in, or a relative may need their lawn mowed. Giving your child opportunities to be kind will show them how nice it feels to be generous without expecting anything in return.
Show your child how to open doors for other people and help them gather items to donate to charity. Help your child make dinner for the family or invite their friends over, which would allow them to share their toys. Doing this not only teaches them how to be kind, but it also allows them to exercise the skill.
4) Praise them
If you witness your child showing kindness, praise them with positive words. Doing this will encourage them to repeat their actions, and it will also give them positive feelings.
Maybe your child cleared the dinner table or helped carry a double jogging stroller up the stairs. Praise them for their hard work and tell them precisely what they did correctly.
If you see that your child missed an opportunity to be kind, tell them how you would prefer that they handle the situation in the future. Positive praise encourages children to repeat their actions. So, always tell them what a good job they are doing when they display kindness.
Sometimes, Teaching Kindness isn’t Easy
Some children may struggle with compassion as it doesn’t always come naturally. Children with developmental disabilities such as autism may struggle to understand the emotions of others. In this situation, it is essential to keep trying.
Every child is different, so some children may need extra support, encouragement, and patience in learning this skill. Continue to show them examples of being kind. Teach them empathy, give them opportunities to be helpful, and praise them when they show kindness.
Eventually, kindness will come naturally, although they may take longer than other children in learning this skill.
Tips for Teaching Children Kindness
Teaching your children kindness will improve their life. They will be more likely to make friends and less likely to make enemies. Parents can help by raising their children to be kind. Implementing kindness may be challenging, but the first step is to be kind yourself as this will give them an example to follow when they try to be generous as well.
