As a parent, it is likely that you recognise the importance of empathy for children and families. However, you might be stumped as to how you are going to instil this within your children. As such, here is a quick guide that will get you started and ensure that your kids grow up to be understanding and compassionate individuals.
Talk to Your Kids About Empathy
The first step that you should take to encourage your children to be empathetic is to talk to them about how important it is to see the world from other people’s points of view. You should explain that everyone has different lives and perspectives and that it is important that your child is understanding and tolerant. You should discuss the importance of kindness and generosity and some of the ways that your child can display them.
Donate to a Charity
Once you have had this discussion, you can then start acting on it. For instance, you might encourage your children to donate to a charity that they are passionate or curious about or that has helped your family in some way. By encouraging your kids to save up their pocket money and donate to charity, you will be teaching them the importance of charities and giving to others, rather than simply spending money on themselves. You might even show your kids where their money is going by visiting a fundraising event or stall that the charity is running or by signing up for the charity’s magazine. However, if you are going to do this, you should always try to allow them to pick a charity of their choice.
Teach By Example
To create empathetic children, though, you need to be empathetic yourself. For instance, you might speak about others in a kind and caring way, help anyone that you see struggling in the street, and give people the benefit of the doubt. You might also give to charity often and pursue random acts of kindness when you are out and about. By doing this, you will be showing your children what empathy is and making it cool. It is likely that when you are showing empathy, your child will want to copy you and practice it themselves.
Show Your Kid Empathy
You should also show your own child empathy, or else they are likely to grow up without any idea what empathy truly is. This means that you should always try to validate their feelings and give them the room they need to explain them. You should also ask your child questions about their feelings and try not to dismiss them or cut them down. Your child is likely to model this behaviour in their own life.
By encouraging empathy in your children, you will be able to ensure that they grow up into kind and positive human beings who are emotionally intelligent and confident about their own feelings. You will be able to help them become generous individuals who care about others and who know the correct behaviour when interacting with their peers.
Georgina Monk
Since leaving university with an English and Creative Writing degree, Georgina has worked as a freelance copywriter, writing articles on everything from business technology to charitable giving. As well as running her own blog and performing in and writing plays, some of which have been staged in local theatres, she also volunteers at historical houses and enjoys watersports and getting out into nature.