How to Raise a Compassionate Child

Just as independence, resilience and hard work are important to teach children, so is compassion. The way that you treat others and the energy that you give off affects the energy that you receive back. It’s also a vital social skill. We’re human and it’s likely that your child will see others like their friends and family whilst they are feeling down which is where knowing how to offer support can help. Here are some tips from a group of childcare professionals on how to raise a compassionate child.

Think About Others and Consider Their Feelings

While feelings are complicated, there are typical tell-tale signs that can help you to work out how others are feeling. You can help your child in recognising these and encourage them to consider how those around them feel.

Think About the Example You Set

Your child is your mirror image. Children look up to their parents as role models and pick up the behaviour that they display. If you’re unkind to those around you, it’s likely that your child will learn to do the same. To be a compassionate role model there are a few things that you can do:

• Offer Support 

When you see a friend or family member having a hard time, you can offer support. Whether you’re able to help them or not, you can comfort them by just being there. 

• Ask Others About How They’re Doing

It doesn’t take much to show compassion. It can be done by something as simple as asking someone about their day and how they’re doing. 

• Random Acts of Kindness

Small gestures like offering to take an elderly neighbour’s bags in or picking something up off the floor for someone else are also ways of kindness without necessarily doing much.

• Smile

Smiling is another. Smiles are contagious. They cost you nothing and are an easy way that you can make someone else smile and feel better.

Note: This is a collaborative post