This is a collaborative post
In a world where things feel a little bit out of place, it seems raising children has become a more unsettling task than it has ever been. However, even though there are certain teachings that may be difficult to practice with your child such as the introduction of technology or the ever-changing social norms, there is something that you can teach them that the world craves – kindness.
The addition of one kinder soul in the world can make a big difference to many lives. Below are some tips on how to raise a compassionate child, as advised by this independent school in Bath.
Show kindness and compassion to those around you
Children are very observant and mirror many of the words and actions they see you do. This is why it is so important to watch how you act in front of your child and always model the correct behaviour.
This can be done by smiling at a stranger when you walk past them, or holding the door open for someone who has their hands full at the shops.
Look for emotions
Being compassionate starts with being aware of the way others feel. To help your child get a better understanding of this, point out the different emotions that they see. For example, if they are playing with a child that seems sad, point it out and talk them through the different ways they can comfort their peer.
You can also teach them how to point out different emotions when they watch tv, through the different characters that appear on their favourite tv shows.
Point out unkind behaviour
As important as it is to acknowledge the good, it is also important to acknowledge the bad too. Children are known for doing silly things, even if they don’t mean to. Use this time to teach them where they went wrong and what they can do in the future to correct their behaviour, in order to respond better to others.
