Compassion and kindness go hand in hand when raising a child.. It's part of how children can learn to be respectful, develop moral values and allow them to become more mature, developed human beings. Find tips for how to raise a compassionate child below.
Not sure when or where to begin guiding your child in becoming compassionate? In this guide we sought the advice of a middle school in Herefordshire to show you ways to build compassion in your child.
Flag rude behaviour
The way children will see what they're saying is wrong is only through reinforcement. If they're often insulting others without being told otherwise, it'll be hard (though not impossible) to change your child's thought process.
Show them what it takes to be nice and how minimal the effort actually is. There are lots of little changes that can define a child's growth in terms of being kind and respectful.
Model positive action
If there's an abundance of positivity in the home and a child's surroundings, they're more likely to follow this pattern. As adults we should aim to model happiness and positivity around the home and in day-to-day situations.
For instance, getting angry at a cashier for being unable to file a refund for an item is no way to show your child how to behave in public. Allow your child to understand what being reasonable is and see that they know that.
Acknowledge when your child is kind
Handing their sibling something they've asked for, or making a cup of tea for a family member, are examples of the little things we all appreciate. Tell your child how proud you are of them for making the effort to do something kind. They'll remember all of those little positive affirmations they're given, and are more likely to do things that give them praise or the chance to have a reward for their effort.