Best ways to inculcate empathy in your children

“Empathy is a choice, and it’s a vulnerable choice, because in order to connect with you, I have to connect with something in myself that knows the feeling,” wrote Casandra Brené Brown, an American professor, lecturer and author. To put it simply, empathy is the act of putting yourself in the shoes of someone else. It is a cognitive capacity necessary for developing a gentle, kind and well-rounded personality and high emotional intelligence. Encouraging your child to be emapathetic will also go a long way in strengthening his relationships with people in personal and professional life while helping him be a great leader. Therefore, as a parent, it is important for you to inculcate this cognitive skill in your little one early on. While it may be difficult for a toddler to relate to the emotions of the people around him, kids above 4 years are better able to understand the feelings of others. Follow these strategies to help kiddo imbibe empathy.  

Set examples of positive behaviour 
In the initial years of their lives children imitate their parents. They will do what they see you doing or saying. So, your actions and behaviours are critical for them to learn anything. Let your kid see you in the act of kindness. For example, drive an old neighbour to a store or offer comfort to a friend in need. These acts of generosity will lay the foundation for a lifetime of kindness. 

Treat your child respectfully 
This is essential because kindness, compassion, or empathy are emotions that stem from an innate respect towards our surroundings. So, make sure that you treat your child with respect. Instead of abruptly snatching your little one away from her friends in the playground, alert her in advance saying, “We have have to go home in some time. Play time will be over in the next 15  minutes.” Also, do not belittle her if you don’t agree with her on certain issues. Agree to disagree, respectfully. All these will go a long way in inculcating empathy in your child.  

Teach your child to read facial expressions  
This is very crucial to understand how the emotional state and perspective of other human beings. Once we are able to grasp how someone else is feeling, we are more likely to be compassionate and offer help.  

Treat rudeness sensitively 
If you see someone misbehaving with you, don’t respond with a similar rudeness. Instead, maintain an firm and calm disposition. Also, discuss the incident with your child later on and have his opinion. You can ask something like this, “Why do you think was the receptionist so rude with us? Did she have a bad day?” This will teach your kid that meanness or rudeness isn’t the right response to an inappropriate behaviour.  

Acknowledge kindness  
Show your child that you notice and appreciate when someone is nice with you. For example, if someone slows down, allowing you to exit a busy parking lot, thank the person and tell your child, “It was really nice of him to let me out before him." Similarly, if your own child treats someone well, make sure that you acknowledge and appreciate.  

Involve your kids in acts of charity  
Encourage your child to donate his toys and clothes to people who need them. Take her for visits to orphanages and shelters and associate in some acts of charity from time to time.