(Family Features) At some point, many parents will likely find themselves encouraging their children to “be kind” or “be friendly.” While they lead with the best of intentions, nearly all parents will worry about whether their child is kind to others when adults are not around.
“We often encourage children to be friends with everyone, but that’s unrealistic,” said Carter Peters from KinderCare’s Inclusion Services team. “We don’t have to be friends with everyone, but we do need to be friendlywith everyone. When children learn to respect everyone, even those they don’t like, they help create a kinder, more welcoming community.”
While children are generally kind, it’s possible they might internalize societal messages that equate kindness with weakness. With a little help, children can develop a sense of empathy, which can help them have positive interactions with others whether they’re on the playground, in the classroom or at home.
Consider these three ways parents can encourage empathy:
- Try a new twist on “what did you do today?” Find a consistent time during the day – at pick up, during dinner or before bedtime – to ask your child, “How did you help someone today?” or “How were you kind to someone today?” Be sure to offer your own examples from your day, too. This helps your child understand the connection between his or her actions and kindness to others. It also opens the conversation for you and your child to discuss missed opportunities to show kindness, how you could both do better next time and how you and your child could show kindness in the future.
- Intentionally call out acts of kindness. Go beyond a simple “thank you” and be specific about why the action was kind: “That was so kind of you to clear the table after dinner. Your help made cleanup go faster. I appreciate that.” Don’t forget to use this same technique with other family members, too. Ask your child what compliments he or she likes to hear and encourage him or her to do the same for others. This teaches empathy and encourages children to treat others the way they want to be treated.
- Build a toolbox of responses for tough situations. First, help your child build emotional literacy skills by helping him or her learn to identify and name feelings. Then work together to identify appropriate expressions of those feelings.
“Children need to learn they can express big emotions, like frustration or anger, without taking those feelings out on others,” Peters said.
Some healthy ways to react to emotional moments could be to find a quiet place to calm down, talk with a trusted adult like a teacher, squeeze fists or name the feeling: “I’m so angry right now.”
The ability to think and react rationally diminishes when angry, so practicing potential responses while in a calm, low-stress state is essential to helping children learn to apply those responses when they’re upset. Having this toolbox of responses to rely on also gives children the autonomy of deciding how best to respond to an emotionally difficult situation, which can lead to a sense of empowerment when they realize they chose to act kindly despite their emotions.
For more tips about raising kind and caring children, visit kindercare.com.
SOURCE:
KinderCare
https://tnc.network/lifestyle/
- Impaired Driving Prevention Call-to-Action Mobilizes Georgia Students
ATLANTA (Newswire.com) – Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the Coalition of Ignition Interlock Manufactures (CIIM) today launched a … Impaired Driving Prevention Call-to-Action Mobilizes Georgia Students TNCRod Washington: Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He also produces news… - Manualidades festivas
(Family Features) Las manualidades aportan un toque festivo a toda la casa en esta temporada. Decore los pasillos con estas manualidades de Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, que transformarán su casa en un paraíso festivo con colores alegres en las repisas del hogar, etiquetas de regalos personalizadas, adornos ingeniosos y hasta una manera de incluir… - KIRCO and Phoenix Senior Living Announce Completion and Opening of Madison Crossings in the Huntsville, Ala. Area
TROY, Mich. and HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — KIRCO and Phoenix Senior Living today announced the completion and opening of Madison Crossings, an independent living and memory care community located in Madison, Ala., just 10 miles outside of downtown Huntsville. Operated by Phoenix Senior Living, Madison Crossings offers 105 independent living apartments and 27 memory care residences and began… - Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with Prince Edward Island
GATINEAU, QC /CNW/ – Access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care will grow the economy, allow more women to enter the workforce and give children in Canada the best start in life. That’s why the Government of Canada signed agreements with each province and territory to implement a Canada-wide early learning and child care system. Today, the Minister of… - Simplify Back-to-School Season
(Family Features) Regardless of whether your child is heading to school for the first time this fall or returning for another year of learning, you can set your student up for success by ensuring he or she has everything needed before the first bell rings. Between tools for the classroom and supplies for quick and…
Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He is also the editor, producer and administrator of STM Daily News, a part of the TNC Network.
