Nurturing Compassion in Children: 3 Simple Ways to Teach Compassion

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, compassion (noun) is the sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. It's about understanding the struggles of another person and wanting to help.

Some people are more compassionate than others – is this because of who they are naturally, or is this affected by how they were raised, personal experiences, etc.?

Regardless of what is directly affected by nature, nurture can always play an important part. As adults, we can help children understand the importance of being compassionate toward others.

Here are 3 simple ways you can show children how to be compassionate:

1. Lead by example. People learn largely through imitation. One of the best ways we can show kids how to care for others is to care for others. Make a point to help someone who needs it when you are with your children, and later, talk with them about it. Or express your feelings of concern for another directly to your children and even ask for their ideas about ways you can help.

2. Praise children for showing compassion. This is an important one. If children express concern for others, address the situation, and really listen to the children’s concerns. Tell them you are proud of them for showing compassion, and reiterate to them what compassion means and why it is important.

3. Ask, “How do you think that made him/her feel?” This question can be asked in response to seeing a situation unfold in person, or while reading about a character in a story, or seeing a character in a movie. Regularly get children to think about others’ feelings by asking them to imagine themselves in another’s shoes. You can join the discussion by sharing how you think a person must have felt. By doing this together, you both can practice and exercise your compassion skills.

Compassion helps us connect with others and restore relationships, while improving our own emotional intelligence and well-being. It’s good for all of us!

More on Compassion

Why Compassion Matters, Guild

What Compassion Is, Psychology Today

The Importance of Compassion and Kindness in Today’s World, Psychology Today