Kids are keen observers and fast learners! Their grasping abilities are a lot stronger than you give them credit for! There may have been times you’d have indulged in serious conversations with your partner in front of your child thinking that he’s too little to understand or pay attention to it. The next thing you know, he’s quoting words or phrases from that conversation in reply to a question you asked him. You may often have a good laugh at your child’s sassiness and candor. What you mustn’t ignore, however, is the opportunity you have to set a strong foundation of positive values in him, given his innate ability and willingness to learn. Compassion is one of the most important ideals that you must inculcate in your child. Here are five ways you can nurture compassion, kindness and benevolence in your child.
How to Nurture Compassion in Your Child
1. Be a Respectful Model Figure
The maxim charity begins at home couldn’t be any truer! To instill the values of kindness and compassion within your child, it is important that you be the one practicing it yourself as well! Being rude to the supermarket cashier, having constant arguments with your partner at home, raising your voice at your child are all signs that can negatively impact him. He may think of them as acceptable behavioral norms and may begin to practice them regularly, thereby shaping his conduct.
Important Note: It is essential that you set some behavioral boundaries that your child should abide by from the very beginning. Kids’ judgment between what’s right and wrong is not clear, so it is all the more crucial that you guide your child to the ideal path. Help him understand social etiquettes and humanitarian acts through both, your actions, and your words. The earlier you begin, the better will be the chances of you raising a compassionate adult!
2. Practice Compassion
Your actions can go a long way in shaping up your child’s value system. Helping an old man cross the road, feeding a homeless woman on the street a meal, being kind towards animals are examples of compassionate behavior. While you actively participate in these activities, ensure that you involve your child to do his share too! Make it a practice to visit either an old age home or an NGO to extend your support every fortnight with your child. Participate in charitable drives to give away old clothes and household essentials to those in need.
3. Appreciate Random Acts of Compassion
During times when your child does wrong, you always ensure that you correct him. It is equally important that you appreciate him during times when he does things right! Keenly observe your child’s behavior to people and situations and encourage him whenever he displays a positive spark. For example, at the park, if he asks a kid standing alone in the corner to join him and his group of friends, give him a pat on his back. Tell him that was a great thing to do!
4. Role Play Common Scenarios to Reinforce Compassion
More often than not, kids are clueless about how they should be reacting to situations. By role playing common scenarios, you give your child better direction to approach a situation in the right way. For example, if your child is in playschool, it is a rather common sight to see kids to argue over a particular toy or game. Through role play, explain to him that in such situations, he must always be sensitive towards the needs of his classmates, while also ensuring that they don’t ill-treat him.
5. Be a Good Listener
Listening is one of the most important traits associated with compassion and when nurtuing compassion in your child, you have to know how to listen. Without lending your ear to someone, there are very little chances to understand their points of view and dilemmas. It is, therefore, important that you are a good listener when it comes to dealing with your child while also encouraging him to be open to other’s ideologies and views. Doing this will not only make him calmer and patient but also more empathetic towards the needs of others.
About the Author
Aradhana is from India. She is a veteran writer on topics concerning parenting, child nutrition, wellness, health and lifestyle. As a regular contributor to popular sites like Huffington Post, Natural news, Elephant journal, Thehealthsite, Naturally Savvy, Curejoy and MomJunction.com, Aradhana writes to inspire and motivate people to adopt healthy habits and live a stress-free lifestyle.