How to Raise a Compassionate Child

All children are unique individuals, they have their own quirks, strengths, and interests. It’s these little distinctions that make them so special. Whilst trying to help your child unearth their character and sense of self, you’ll likely be able to think of a few qualities you wish to instil in them along the way. Compassion and empathy will no doubt feature on every parent’s list of desirable traits, as we want our children to move through their lives with kindness and respect for others. An international school in Berkshire has shared their insights to help parents looking to raise compassionate children.

Demonstrate Kindness

Be a role model and show your child how to act with compassion towards others. If someone drops their shopping basket at the supermarket, help them pick everything up. If the person in front of you at the coffee shop doesn’t have the right change, offer to cover the difference. Afterwards, you can discuss what happened with your child, talk about how you think that person must have felt and how it’s important that we help other people out when they need it. Empathy and compassion are intrinsically linked, so learning to acknowledge other people’s feelings will encourage children to act with more compassion.

Talk About Emotions

Emotions can be a lot for children to navigate, and difficult to express in a constructive way. It is important to remind children that other people feel the same things as they do, this not only normalises the way they’re feeling but encourages them to acknowledge that other people have feelings too. Try to empathise with your child, even when they’re acting out. Say things like “ I can see you’re very upset right now, but it’s not ok to shout at me because it hurts my feelings.” By doing this you are simultaneously validating their emotions, whilst highlighting that their actions have an effect on other people.

Praise Acts of Kindness

Praise helps children forge positive behaviour patterns. The more you acknowledge the compassion they show, the more they will be inclined to keep doing it. If your child offers you a bite of their chocolate bar, make sure you show them how grateful you are that they were willing to share. If they comfort a friend who has tripped and grazed their knee, tell them that you’re proud of them for being so kind. Your child will soon build a picture of what it means to be compassionate, and the validation they receive will encourage them to do it more often.

*This is a collaborative post