Most of us strive to make this world a better place. It all starts from home! As a parent, it is your responsibility to raise your child to be kind and compassionate to others. Kindness doesn’t happen naturally in your child. It is something that must be taught to them by yourself alongside the guidance of a Dee Why childrens centre. Many children tend to be helpful, but you have to put in the work towards motivating this behaviour even further. Here’s what you can do to teach kindness to your child:

Be a role model:

When you want your child to be kind and helpful to others, remember that you have to exhibit these traits yourself. When you respect other people and treat them with kindness, your child will start to do the same. As your child grows, they will constantly observe how you interact with others. Even things as simple as opening the door for an elderly will inspire your child to be good to everyone.

Teach good manners:

Most people appreciate polite interactions. Teach your child the two important words “Please” and “Thank You” that must be used in conversations. There are other important habits that your child should learn and practice. Some of them suggested by a Dee Why childrens centre include:

• Waiting for your turn to speak
• Apologising for rude behaviour
• Writing a Thank You note after getting a gift, and more.

Teach perspective taking:

Perspective taking is an important aspect that every child should know. This skill will help your child understand how others feel in a specific situation. Let your child ask themselves “What would I feel if that happened to me?”

When your child sees someone else struggling with something, get them to think how they would’ve felt about the same. By stepping into other person’s shoes, they can think of ways to help. It’s important to nurture empathy and creative thinking in your child early on.

Self-Compassion is Important too:

Being kind to yourself is as much important as being kind to others. Your child should be able to understand the importance of self-love and self-compassion. Help them practise self-compassion by letting them accept their own feelings, or a write a love letter to themselves. Here are some important points suggested by a child care Dee Why:

• Even if you make a mistake, you must continue to appreciate yourself.
• Talk to yourself in a positive way and know that you matter.
• Eat well, get good sleep, and don’t be hard on yourself.

Volunteer to help Others:

People appreciate those that are selfless. Encourage your child to help others whenever they can. For instance, if your child loves animals, let them make a small donation to an animal shelter. Volunteering as a family is also ideal, as it strengthens your relations and helps your child to be compassionate at the same time.

Being kind to others makes anyone feel happier. If you need any further assistance, talk to the staff at a Dee Why kindergarten today.