Sprinkle Kindness like Confetti

Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. We are not born with empathy but have to be taught. I’m sure you all know some people who might have missed out on the empathy lesson when they were younger. Have you ever thought about how you teach empathy to your children? Do you talk about your feelings so they can see different emotions and recognize that other people have feelings different than theirs sometimes. You can take everyday situations to teach your child empathy. When you drive by a car that is broken down ask them how they think that person feels or how they would feel in that situation. When your child sees someone they know crying ask them to think about why they might be crying and how they could help them. Take time to discuss emotions and validate your child’s feelings (“It’s okay to be mad. I’m here to help you calm down and think of what to do next.”). Children who can recognize others emotions and understand how that person might be feeling will better be able to problem solve how they can help in that situation. Another way to teach empathy is to complete acts of kindness! Below are some ways that you and your kids can share kindness. Talk with your children during these acts of kindness about how they people might feel and how their act of kindness might change their feelings or help them out. Plan a day every week or month where your family does something nice for someone else! Not only will your children learn about empathy and compassion, but your family will be able to make difference in the lives of others. Think of kindness like confetti...go and sprinkle it everywhere! If you have a story of how your family shared kindness or an idea of an act of kindness please share below!

Acts of Kindness

-Visit a nursing home and socialize with residents, help decorate for holidays, pass something out.

-Clean up the park.

-Leave a special surprise (popcorn on redbox machine, bag of quarters at car wash or detergent samples at laundry mat).

-Bake a treat for the neighbors.

-Volunteer at or collect donations for a shelter.

-Volunteer to walk or play with the animals at the animal shelter.

-Volunteer at your church.

-Adopt a family or kid for Christmas and shop for them together.

-Collect food donations for food pantry.

-Offer to help a neighbor, family member or friend with chores.

-Make encouraging and positive cards and send them to people (you know or strangers).