Can you teach kindness? Absolutely. And as responsible parents, it’s one of the things we must do, just like we teach our children how to read or write or stand up for themselves.
Kids are naturally wired to help others and have an innate sense of empathy, but like most things kindness often requires patience, time and practice. Luckily, as parents we are the strongest role models for our kids when it comes to demonstrating kindness. Here are some simple ways you can teach your child how to be kind:
? Little acts of kindness add up. It could be as simple as offering to help a friend who may be overworked or busy, or doing something nice and thoughtful for someone. It may seem like a small thing, but every little act models kindness for your kids.
? Say thank you. To the bus driver, the pizza delivery guy, your house help who’s made you a cup of tea. A simple thank you can go a long way.
? Give a compliment to someone you know. It will teach your child that a few kind words can make a world of difference to someone!
? Talk to your child about the importance of being kind. It’s easy to do this as parents because we can see when our children are sometimes being mean and correct them. I often tell my kids that the most important thing is to be happy. I’ve learned that I need to tell them that the most important thing is to be KIND.
? Make gratitude a daily ritual. This is important because we learn to acknowledge and appreciate those who contribute to our day to day lives in a million little ways.
As the Dalai Lama said, kindness should be our prime purpose in life. And every little act of kindness we do or teach can go a long, long way.