A child is constantly learning and is taught many things – reading, writing, sports, fitness, painting, drawing, dancing, and so much more. But that’s not all. There are several values that, too, must be inculcated in a little one from early childhood. Teaching these values, however, is trickier than explaining a topic that fall under a defined curriculum.
Values are learnt through emulation, by seeing them being practiced actively in the environment around us. In this article, we focus on two very important values – kindness and empathy, tools that are necessary to practice gentle living and eventually lead our next generation towards a more humane and inclusive tomorrow.
Kindness, though it seems a simple enough concept, is difficult to practice consistently. Let’s admit – it is difficult even for us adults to remain kind when situations become demanding. How do we then ensure that our children grow up to be kind human beings?
Let’s explore a few simple things that can help create an environment to teach our children kindness and empathy.
- SMILE
Smiling is contagious. It is disarming. It is the first step towards making others around us feel comfortable. Giving comfort to each other is an essential ingredient in ensuring a kind and benevolent outlook towards them. A study conducted in Sweden showed that smiles, involuntarily, beget smiles. If you maintain a pleasing and pleasant countenance, the mirror neurons in your little one’s minds will make them smile as well. This will help maintain a cheerful disposition which in turn will lead to a patient and kind approach especially in demanding situations.
- TELL A STORY
In our culture, stories have been an effective tool for