As a parent, we wish our children to grow up and turn out as well-rounded people. We ensure that they get good schooling and all the comforts in life. But what about teaching them life skills? Many of us ignore these aspects and assume they will develop on their own. But essential life skills like teaching children kindness and compassion* take some effort. But these efforts give amazing results that benefit your children all their lives. Through teaching kindness, your children develop good character and a positive mindset. They are also happier, content, and mentally strong. 

How to Teach Kindness to a Child?

So, how to teach kindness to a child? Have a look at different ways of teaching children kindness below. These tips will instil kindness and develop other positive traits in your children and will also bring you much closer to your children.

1. The Idea of Kindness

How to teach kindness to a child? By making them understand what kindness really means. Talk about kindness even before your children are old enough to act on it. This helps create the initial idea of kindness in their mind. We, humans, are already hardwired to have empathy. These discussions about kindness build the human trait and with time it thrives in your children. 

2. Model Kindness

We will never get tired of stating that parents are the primary role models for their children. Your kids copy you and follow your example all the time. So, for teaching children kindness, model kindness in front of them. And make it a habit, while you are at it. Be kind and don’t behave in a rude manner with others. Treat all with respect and dignity and as equals. Be kind to your children as well. Discipline them when required but treat them with kindness. Also, never demean them while teasing or having fun. Be the right role model for your kids and let them learn from your example.

3. Show them Kindness in Action

Kindness is all around us, you only have to find it. For teaching kindness, point out the acts of kindness to your children. Whenever you are with your kids, show them live examples of kindness. People opening doors for others, and giving up seats while travelling are some examples. When your children view these, they will be inspired to do kind acts themselves. And you will set in motion, a kindness domino that will have a far-reaching impact.

4. Empathy and Emotions

For teaching kindness, first, teach empathy to your children. Ask them to imagine how others feel the way they do. Teach your kids about emotions, feelings, and non-verbal cues. Take them to a public place and watch people. Point out the different emotions these people display. If this is not practical for you, then let them observe characters in a movie for the same purpose. This task will help your kids learn more about emotions and facial cues. 

5. Point Out the Impact of their Conduct

Make your kids understand how their conduct affects others. If they behave badly, others get upset and hurt. When they are at their best, other people are happy and delighted. All these tasks help in teaching kindness to your children. 

6. Rules of Good Conduct

For teaching children kindness, form rules of good conduct that they have to follow. Ask them to be nice to all and not behave in a rude manner. Ask your kids to help around the house. Ask them to care for pets and their younger siblings. Ask them to help their older siblings with their chores. Teach your children to smile, greet and compliment others and make it a habit. These rules of conduct develop kindness and also build discipline in your children. 

7. Set Kindness Goals

Set kindness goals for your children that they can do with ease. These should be simple like feeding pets and helping around the house. Achieving these goals helps in teaching kindness to your kids. Doing the assigned job right also develops self-confidence in your children. 

Final Thoughts

So, these are some of the ways of teaching kindness to your children. Teaching children kindness benefits them as well as all they come in contact with their emotions. Start as early as possible in this venture, so your children get the most out of it. 

As a parent, we wish our children to grow up and turn out as well-rounded people. We ensure that they get good schooling and all the comforts in life. But what about teaching them life skills? Many of us ignore these aspects and assume they will develop on their own. But essential life skills like teaching children kindness and compassion* take some effort. But these efforts give amazing results that benefit your children all their lives. Through teaching kindness, your children develop good character and a positive mindset. They are also happier, content, and mentally strong. 

How to Teach Kindness to a Child?

So, how to teach kindness to a child? Have a look at different ways of teaching children kindness below. These tips will instil kindness and develop other positive traits in your children and will also bring you much closer to your children.

1. The Idea of Kindness

How to teach kindness to a child? By making them understand what kindness really means. Talk about kindness even before your children are old enough to act on it. This helps create the initial idea of kindness in their mind. We, humans, are already hardwired to have empathy. These discussions about kindness build the human trait and with time it thrives in your children. 

2. Model Kindness

We will never get tired of stating that parents are the primary role models for their children. Your kids copy you and follow your example all the time. So, for teaching children kindness, model kindness in front of them. And make it a habit, while you are at it. Be kind and don’t behave in a rude manner with others. Treat all with respect and dignity and as equals. Be kind to your children as well. Discipline them when required but treat them with kindness. Also, never demean them while teasing or having fun. Be the right role model for your kids and let them learn from your example.

3. Show them Kindness in Action

Kindness is all around us, you only have to find it. For teaching kindness, point out the acts of kindness to your children. Whenever you are with your kids, show them live examples of kindness. People opening doors for others, and giving up seats while travelling are some examples. When your children view these, they will be inspired to do kind acts themselves. And you will set in motion, a kindness domino that will have a far-reaching impact.

4. Empathy and Emotions

For teaching kindness, first, teach empathy to your children. Ask them to imagine how others feel the way they do. Teach your kids about emotions, feelings, and non-verbal cues. Take them to a public place and watch people. Point out the different emotions these people display. If this is not practical for you, then let them observe characters in a movie for the same purpose. This task will help your kids learn more about emotions and facial cues. 

5. Point Out the Impact of their Conduct

Make your kids understand how their conduct affects others. If they behave badly, others get upset and hurt. When they are at their best, other people are happy and delighted. All these tasks help in teaching kindness to your children. 

6. Rules of Good Conduct

For teaching children kindness, form rules of good conduct that they have to follow. Ask them to be nice to all and not behave in a rude manner. Ask your kids to help around the house. Ask them to care for pets and their younger siblings. Ask them to help their older siblings with their chores. Teach your children to smile, greet and compliment others and make it a habit. These rules of conduct develop kindness and also build discipline in your children. 

7. Set Kindness Goals

Set kindness goals for your children that they can do with ease. These should be simple like feeding pets and helping around the house. Achieving these goals helps in teaching kindness to your kids. Doing the assigned job right also develops self-confidence in your children. 

Final Thoughts

So, these are some of the ways of teaching kindness to your children. Teaching children kindness benefits them as well as all they come in contact with their emotions. Start as early as possible in this venture, so your children get the most out of it.