Teaching your kids the value of being kind is not a sign of weakness but an important step towards character development. Most parents make sure that their child acquires as many skills as it possibly can while growing up. Teaching children to be independent and skilful is important to survive well but it is also equally important to teach them kindness. Many parents might think that teaching kindness to their children would make them more susceptible to being taken advantage of.
This isn’t true in the first place, and it is also important to note the benefits of knowing how to be kind. Kindness taught at school has been shown to increase students’ self-esteem, decreased bullying and better attendance. In addition to these benefits, it is also to be noted that health, academics and social circles. Teaching them kindness through random acts is a great way to inculcate the value in your child.
Saying Thank you
Writing thank-you notes should not be a ceremonious task that is done on special occasions but saying thank you to anyone at any time of the year is what your child needs to know. The most important thing is to teach them gratitude. They can write a thank you note to anyone and everyone who they appreciate in their life.
Donating
Donations to orphanages, old age homes and foster homes is a great way to teach your child to be thankful for what they have and give to those who aren’t as privileged as them. Tell your child all about the cause for donation and ask them to pick out toys and clothes that they wish to donate.
Gifts
Buying gifts is a good thing but it is convenient and does not teach your child any values. Making gifts for people who they love, appreciate or anyone who they wish to gift is a great way to teach them to appreciate and give. You can provide them with art and craft items that they can use to create things and gifts.
Spreading cheer
Making people happy for a specific reason or to return a favour is a great way to spread cheer and feel happy but teaching your child to act out of kindness randomly will help make kindness like second nature to them. Volunteering for a good cause, visiting an elderly or lonely neighbour or picking flowers to give them to anybody are small acts that make big differences.
Animal love
Teaching children to love and care for animals helps them become sensitive towards non-human entities. Even though animals don’t have the gift of speech, they feel love, hatred and all emotions. Caring for them and feeding them every day, visiting animal shelters are easy to do and great experiences as well.
Chores
Helping anybody who might need a helping hand around the house is a good thing to teach your child. If they do this regularly, they will learn to help as and when needed. Donating their time to help their grandparents every day with one chore will improve the child’s sense of empathy.
Compliments
Compliments are all about learning to appreciate and saying it out loud when you admire something about someone. Giving people random compliments helps instil values like gratitude and kindness.
