Why not begin this summer?
Let’s face it; our society puts most of its emphasis on improving a child’s athletic skills, popularity, physical appearance and/ or academic excellence than placing any importance on the growth and development of the very important characteristic of compassion.
What is compassion?
Compassion is defined as sympathy for the suffering of others, including a desire to help.
Why is compassion needed?
Without compassion we become humans, who only think about themselves; who disregard the needs of others; and most certainly, always, put self-first. All regard for the care of or needs of anyone else doesn’t enter the picture.
What compassion is not:
Compassion is not feeling sorry for someone but a determination that becomes a way of life to make things better for others. Compassion is a learned way of life.
How is compassion developed?
Compassion, first of all, is caught.
A child learns, “So this is what we do when ...” Compassion becomes the way of life; it is what we do. Parents seek to find opportunities where compassion can be shown and modeled; children are asked to think of ways to help others and join in the effort. A mindset is developed: When there is a need, I have the opportunity to choose to try to make the situation better is the idea.
Why teach our children to be compassionate?
It is explained by this statement: “It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.” – L.R. Knost
How is compassion taught?
Children learn from what they see modeled in front of them. When they themselves receive compassionate care, they tend to more easily become compassionate.
Young children don’t yet understand emotions and what they mean. Teaching children about the meanings of different emotions helps them to understand when someone is sad, happy, etc. Pretending the baby doll is crying or is hurt or needs to be fed is an opportunity to ask the child to take care of the baby. This can be the beginning of learning compassion.
Giving responsibilities to children such as caring for a pet is a good step for a child to learn to think beyond themselves. When a child gives their time to meet the needs of an animal, compassion soon follows.
Suggest a child gather a few toys, clothes, etc. of his own to take to a shelter or places where there are children who need these items. Go together and allow your child to hand these items over to the agency representative himself.
Take them with you when you visit someone in the nursing home. Ask them to draw a picture or make something for the person (or several of the residents).
Ask your child to think of someone who does not have many friends or someone who is new in the neighborhood and suggest they invite them over for a play time.
Outcomes of teaching compassion to our children:
When we bring children’s attention to compassionate behavior, we are not only helping others at that very time, but also, helping ourselves in the future as they will be the ones who care for us when we are older and we cannot care for ourselves. With those thoughts, we have a better understanding for the need to teach compassion to our children.
So have fun, do those summertime things you and your children enjoy, but remember to stir in a little compassion training along the way as you enjoy those fun filled days.
