When it comes to teaching children, children follow their parents' lead. "Monkey See, Monkey Do." Therefore, it's important for parents to demonstrate ways to be compassionate at home. After all, when parents show kindness, their children will learn kindness. When parents show intolerance, impatience, and injustice, children will learn to behave in the same ways.
Here are some hands-on examples of ways parents can model compassion so that their children will follow:
1. Teaching Compassion for Other Family Members
Scenario: It's the weekend. Mom and Dad have been doing chores all day long. Both are tired. When they decide to call it quits for the day, Mom offers Dad something cold to drink and they sit together on the couch. Dad massages Mom's feet after a long day.
Effect: Little Matt sees that both Mom and Dad feel for and understand each other. Little Matt learns what empathy and compassion look like. He also sees the positive effects such kindness has on others.
Learning Moment: Talk to Matt about the importance of showing compassion to others in the family. Even if you're tired or even if you're a child, you can still show kindness is easy, helpful ways. These acts of kindness make people feel good inside' both the receiver and the giver!
Participation: Let Little Matt bring a cookie for Dad or let him massage Mom's fingers. These little ways of contributing to others will send the signal to Little Matt that he can make others feel good by showing compassion.
2. Teaching Compassion for Animals
Having pets in the home is a great way to teach children compassion.
Scenario: Polly the cockatoo is making a raucous in her stand. Mom checks her out, sees the seed bin empty, and the water cup empty. Mom cleans the bird's dishes, pours some seeds into the food cup and replaces the water with fresh, clean water.
Effect: Little Matt understands that if pets need and deserve attention.
Learning moment: Explain to Little Matt that the bird became noisy because it couldn't fend for itself and she was hungry. Just like when he was a little baby, and he was hungry, he would cry. Mom treats Polly with the same kindness she shows to the rest of the family. She is kind and affectionate. Little Matt learns to treat Polly the same way.
Participation: Give Matt the job of "Polly's food checker". When able, he can put seeds and pour water into the container.
3. Teaching Compassion for Playmates Scenario: While playing in your backyard, Little Matt's friend, Tommy, bruises his knee and starts crying. Mom cleans out the cuts, blows the pain away, and places antiseptic on the wound to make sure that it doesn't get infected. All this time, Mom explains to Matt what she is doing.
Effect: Little Matt sees that his friend is in pain but also sees that his Mom is working gently to take the pain away. Again, Little Matt learns empathy and compassion.
Learning Moment: When our friends get hurt, we need to stop what we're doing and take care of the. That means helping them when they trip or getting an adult when they need some extra assistance.
Participation: Allow Little Matt to help you "blow the pain away". He can get a cotton-ball out of the container of a band-aid and ointment out of the closet.
4. Teaching Compassion for Those In Need
Scenario: One of the local charities called and they're doing a big clothing drive. Mom and Dad start putting their old or unworn clothes into bags and marking them "Charity." Matt's Mom explains everything she's doing, how it's helping and why. Matt's Dad tells his son that the clothes are going to people who need clothes but are unable to buy them.
Effect: Little Matt sees that his parents participate in giving to charity. He will likely want to join in and help the people in need as well.
Learning Moment: Matt's parents teach him that there are many children that rely on nice little boys and girls for toys, clothes, and household goods. While he may not like his Sesame Street Comforter Set anymore and he may not read his "board books" anymore, other little boys and girls may love them! What can he give away to help others?
Participation: Little Matt can take all his clothes from last year that no longer fit and put it in his own bag for charity. His parents tell him that his clothes are going to other little boys who will love everything Matt gives to them! They will be thinking, "thank you, Matt!"
Each time we take a moment to include our children in the process of giving to others and showing compassion to others, they learn valuable lessons about kindness and empathy that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Start early—start today!
?Money Makes the World Go ?Round.? It's debatable whether or not money is the most important thing in life. But it is certainly an aspect of life that we should be accustomed to. If we live any Amish Holmes County Ohio or any other county, we need money to pay our credit card bill, to cover our mortgage, and to buy those chocolate donuts with the little sprinkles on top. Children should also learn how money works, and how to manage it. What methods can parents use to make sure that children learn what they need to know about dollars and sense?
As a parent, you can take several steps to teach your child about money management:
1. Cater to the child's age group when teaching about money. Consider a child's age when discussing money matters with him or her. Toddlers and preschoolers can learn about money by doing tasks such as sorting coins. They can also be taught about how money can be used to get ?things.?
When children are in 4th or 5th grade, they're ready to talk about money matters, such as budgeting for an upcoming family outing or vacation. You can talk about opportunity costs, such as paying for a vacation in a place such as Amish Holmes County Ohio, instead of buying a needed washing machine.
2. Teach how to save for a rainy day. After a child starts earning money, open a bank account for any income that he or she earns. When the child becomes four-to-five-years old, help them to open their own account in Amish Homes County Ohio or whatever county you live in. After the child saves a sufficient amount, it's best to invest the money in ways that will earn more interest, such as cash deposits, stocks, or IRAs for children.
3. Teach children about credit and debt. Today, more and more people in society are falling into serious debt. So it's important that children realize that indeed, money doesn't grow on trees. It's limited, and they should learn how credit cards really work. Games such as Monopoly Jr. teach your kids about purchasing power.
4. Start giving your child an allowance. When children are four-to-five-years-old, give them an allowance for doing various chores around the house, which are appropriate for their age. Inform the child about the parameters for spending the money. Giving your child an allowance while paying for everything want, defeats the purpose of providing an allowance. As soon as you start the allowance, agree on what the child must pay with his or her own money. These things can range from candy to school lunches to video games.
Also, teach about the importance of saving. It's wise if kids save at least half of their allowance, for a big purchase in the future.
5. Teach your child to be charitable. Explain why you donate to various charities. You could also have the child select his or her own charity to donate to. It will teach children the importance of giving back to people who need help.
6. Find a part-time job for your child. When children are old enough, a part-time job at home (i.e. babysitting, washing cars, delivering newspapers, raking leaves etc.) can allow them to earn some bucks outside the house. Make sure to guide your child about how to spend wisely, and how much he or she should save.
Part of your child's education should involve learning about money matters. Games such as Monopoly Jr. and allowing them to earn an allowance, help in this process. Your child will learn how to earn, spend, and save money. Who knows? You might be nurturing the next Rockefeller in your home!
Both Dr Robyn Silverman & Nicole Munoz are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dr Robyn Silverman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Travel, Children and Kids and Teens. Child and teen development expert, Dr. Robyn Silverman, provides candid, easy-to-follow tips to parents and educators. The creator of the Powerful Words Character Toolkit, her tips have been posted in the press such as Prevention and Parents Magazines. S. Dr Robyn Silverman's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.