Teaching Compassion

Thanks to the many technological advances from the past few decades, our children are growing up as global citizens not just Georgians or even Americans. With access to the internet and a computer or tablet, they can learn more about other cultures and interact with children in countries we never heard of at their age.

Expanding their world view is a good thing. With it comes the opportunity as well as responsibility to help instill in your child compassion, understanding, and acceptance of others.

Here are some things you can do to encourage compassion in your young child:

1. Show your child love and empathy through your every interaction.

2. Teach your child to recognize and name their own feelings.

3. Once your child can label their feelings, help them identify the emotions others are experiencing.

4. Help your child learn to read the facial signs and body language of others.

5. Use your child’s imagination to help them understand what someone else is feeling or experiencing.

6. Expose your child to the world around them and create conversation about what they are seeing, hearing or experiencing.

7. Read a diverse range of books to help your child distinguish other’s emotions.

8. Model compassion for your children by including them in volunteer activities and simply by showing kindness to others.

9. Help your children see what they have in common with others.

Borrow these books from your local library or add to your personal one:

1.  12 Books That Model Empathy and Compassion for Young Readers (Brightly)

2. 35 Children’s Books That Teach Empathy and Kindness

3. 25 Mighty Girl Picture Books About Kindness and Empathy

4. Books That Teach Empathy

More Resources:

1. How the Pandemic Can Teach Kids About Compassion

2. 13 Ways to Raise a Caring and Compassionate Child

3. Deciphering Facial Expressions for Kids: Can We Help Children Read Emotions?

4. How to Raise Your Kids As Global Citizens