With what is going on around the world, it has become more important to teach our youngsters to be kind.

At Springlake School, we nurture traits like kindness, compassion, and sharing.

It’s wonderful to dream about our children growing up to be doctors, presidents, etc. Yet, it is most necessary that our children grow up to be wonderful caring people.

While it may seem like children are too young to grasp these big concepts, research shows that the foundation for the skills that help us become “good” people is built in the first years of life.

As early as 6 months babies show signs of empathy. Social-emotional skills and pleasant character should be nurtured from birth.

Here are a few ways to help nurture compassion, kindness, and empathy from a young age:

1. Modeling Appropriate Behaviour:

Children learn by watching everyone around them, especially their parents.

If your child sees you sharing, expressing gratitude, being helpful, and sharing your feelings, they learn from what they see.

Modeling the behaviour you want to see in your children will tip the odds more in your favour.

2. Offer Praise:

 Offer praise when your children show good social behaviour.

Helping your child feel good about themselves plays an important role in developing a sense of empathy and emotional competence.

3. Teach Empathy and Cooperation:

When talking about feelings, connect behaviours with the feelings for children so they understand cause and effect?

For example: “Max is feeling sad because Oliver took his toy. What do you think might help Max feel better?”

Teaching children about cause and effect can also be done through stories or play-acting.

4. Reading of Books:

One of our favorite ways to introduce most abstract concepts like positive character traits at Springlake School is through reading.

Especially reading of Social Stories or Stories with moral lessons.

Consider reading some following books:

– I can share by Karen Kate (Ages 0 -3)

– Hands are not for hitting by Martine Agassi

– I am not a bully by Olayemi Ejemai.