Thursday, October 10, 2024

Sometimes, it seems like there are more things that make us different than the same.

But one thing we can all agree on? Every person, no matter their background, political beliefs, or parenting philosophy, has feelings. And another thing we can agree on? That it’s important for our kids to learn to honor and respect other people’s feelings.

Empathy is way more than table manners or saying "please" and "thank you." Empathy guides the way our kids interact with the world at large, especially as they grow. Whether your kid is a toddler or a high schooler, there’s never a better time to teach them about empathy than right now.

Here’s how to do your part in raising an empathetic kid:

1. Read engaging books. Stories have the power to educate and resonate beyond what our parenting lectures could ever do. Books can help your kid understand emotion and encourage empathy.
2. Offer opportunities to work and give. It’s easy for kids to assume toys and clothes magically appear and a clean home stays that way by itself. Chores allow kids to see that hard work produces these outcomes—a perspective that matters as they grow. Working to earn their own money enables kids to give generously, which helps them see and understand the needs of others.
3. Help your kid name and vocalize feelings. Before kids can recognize and understand the emotions of others, they first need to name and vocalize their own. The best way to help our kids name their feelings is by modeling—we can start naming what we’re feeling aloud in real time.
4. Ask questions to inspire curiosity about others. Asking questions about others helps our kids lift their gaze up and out. Model asking questions that inspire curiosity about others like when spotting other kids and adults in various forms of work, rest, and play, ask, "I wonder what she feels like right now?" Or, "Can you imagine what it might be like to do that?"
5. Take advantage of teachable moments. Finding teachable moments helps our kids take what they’re learning and apply those lessons in a real-world setting. When teachable moments present themselves, point them out with grace and love.

Here’s to raising a generation of people dedicated to understanding one another and taking actions that reflect empathy.