Cultivating Kindness in Children
By Cheryl Gochnauer
As the first tender rays of sunshine peek into your room, you turn to your baby and realize a new day truly has dawned.
A pure and unique life has been placed in your hands, and though many will write upon this unmarked slate before the child is grown, it is your chalk which will draw the greatest arc.
How do we build character in another? There are so many qualities we want to instill in our children -- love, joy, and patience, to name a few.
One of the best legacies we can give them is a kind heart. Cultivating kindness in youngsters develops a priceless quality which will infuse all other areas of their lives.
The best way to teach has always been by example. Early on, especially, children naturally turn to their parents, picking up cues on how to respond to life events. Emerging viewpoints are dramatically influenced as they watch Mommy and Daddy interacting with one another.
Do my parents treat each other with respect and gentleness, or do apathy or anger permeate the household? How is tension, which appears at every doorstep from time to time, handled?
Nurturing a compassionate spirit doesn't mean creating a Utopia for the child. Rather, a kind heart is developed through observing difficult times weathered with the right response. It's generally not one instance that shapes a youngster's outlook. Consistency is the key.
Relationships with brothers and sisters are important, too. Kids should be expected to treat each other kindly. There's no need to let philosophical trends mush up convictions of right and wrong. "Aw, it's just sibling rivalry." No, it's Johnny beating the stuffing out of his brother, Billy. And it's not acceptable.
Our homes are our havens, and as such, we sometimes use critical words we would never dream of uttering anywhere else. Cursing co-workers and neighbors obviously works against the goal of teaching kindness. Complaining about extended family members also allows angry birds to swoop down and gobble up seeds of compassion sown in your child's psyche.
But just as much damage can be done by subtle negative observations. These can be as simple as mentioning the girl who would be "so pretty if she'd just lose some weight". Speak well of others, accentuating their positive qualities and praising their successes. Get in the habit of discovering ways to minister to people, and encourage your child to learn alongside you. Young children absorb your interpretations and take them as law. What a wonderful opportunity to build an open and accepting nature!
Kindness is an admirable quality that can be cultivated in any child. There is great strength in putting another's needs before your own, in taking the time to nurture and not trample. Plant compassionate seeds early, and you'll not be disappointed in the harvest.
Comments? E-mail Cheryl at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, or write her at PO Box 6883, Lee's Summit, MO 64064-6883. Visit her website at www.homebodies.org.
Dear Reader: You can help us make this website even better! We'd love to hear your comments about this article! Scroll down to sound off! All of our articles and ideas have come from our imagination and from reader submissions. Please use this form to contact us if you have articles, crafts, activities, games, recipes, songs or poems that you would like to add to this website. Make sure to stop by our friendly forums too! Read more articles from moms in our section devoted just to them! Webmasters and Authors: We are looking for more "mom authors'! We will gladly include a link back to your site or book in exchange for sharing your content. Just contact us!
Make Sure to Visit These Related Links and Articles
Quote this article on your site
To create link towards this article on your website,
copy and paste the text below in your page.Preview :
|
