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Teaching Kids to Be Kind

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Last comment by Elizabeth_Nessmith 1 month, 1 week ago.

How do we raise our children to be kind? In a culture where cruelty and violence are all too often glorified in movies, music videos, etc… it can seem as though parents are fighting an uphill battle. However, even with the many negative outside influences, there are concrete things mothers and fathers can do to encourage their children to become compassionate, nurturing, fair-minded individuals.

First of all, adults need to be upfront with kids about just how important it really is to behave in kind and responsible ways. If parents observe their children doing something uncaring or cruel, they should admonish them right away, while giving a clear explanation of why they disapprove. Meanwhile, displays of empathy and compassion on the part of children should be heartily encouraged---"catch them being good," as my father, a psychologist, likes to say.

Also, parents can nurture altruism in their children by finding organized ways for them to get involved in aiding the community. Volunteer organizations welcome the help of teenagers and sometimes even young children.

Finally, the most important thing that a parent can do when it comes to teaching a child to be caring is to be a good role model. Mothers and fathers should show kindness to their children and kindness to other people in general. Children who are surrounded by caring and compassionate people are much more likely to grow up to be caring and compassionate themselves.

I leave you with an excerpt from an article put out by the American Psychological Association: "If you treat your children with dignity, concern, and regard for their achievements, you help them understand that all living creatures should be treated with dignity and concern…That nurturing itself is a perfect role model for children."

Latest Activity: Oct 12, 2008 at 2:18 PM

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pucamom commented on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 16:12 PM

Elizabeth,

I agree wholeheartedly. I made sure to show respect to my son and his friends. I treated them like people, not like some people treat children. Their opinions were listened to and acknowledged. As they grew to teenagers, I was amazed at how caring they became. I am proud of my son and all of his friends. I know that they will all become loving and caring parents. My son's first son was just born two months ago. He is loving fatherhood. He describes his son as amazing. By showing his son unselfish love, his son will become a loving and caring person as well.

Scargo commented on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 21:39 PM

Good blog. Parents are their child's number one teacher. My parents got me involved at an early age volunteering in my community. I can remember going to nursing homes while my mom played the piano and I would stand on the piano bench and sing with the residents. It's something I still do today...except stand on the piano bench. :) I posted this poem on another blog, but it is fitting to post it here.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first picture on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought
it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed there was a God that I
could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I felt you kiss me good night,
and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned
that sometimes things hurt,
but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared and I wanted to be
everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked....and now I want to say thanks
for all the things I saw,
when you thought I wasn't looking.

CBWill commented on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 21:49 PM

Great poem, Scargo. It would fit about any place. I must have done something right with my son. He turned out to be a wonderful caring son. We were always close because his Dad was gone so much. I had a great relationship with my parents also. Great blog, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth_Nessmith commented on Monday, Oct 13, 2008 at 10:05 AM

Scargo,
What a sweet poem!

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