In today’s world, there are only two constants in life: change and death. In the same way that we learn to walk, talk, play an instrument, or drive, we can all grow emotionally if we give our children practice. With a little effort, even young children can learn to understand and manage their emotions.
Here are seven ways to teach your child empathy and self-awareness:
- Practice sharing, empathy, and compromise
Most children naturally empathize with others, but without practice they don’t really know how to do it. They might be able to tell when something is bothering someone else, but they often don’t know what to do about it or how to help.
The easiest way to develop empathy and awareness is to model these behaviors yourself and be open to discussing conflicts. If your child says “I don’t want to eat that,” let them know that you also don’t want to eat it. The next time you come to a disagreement, be open to discussing why you have different ideas. It’s OK for children to express their opinions, and it’s important for them to realize that they aren’t the only ones who feel a certain way. If you practice this regularly, you’ll soon find that your kids are more likely to express empathy for others’ feelings.
- Help children take ownership of their emotions
It’s common for children to confuse their emotions for their personality or character. While this isn’t always wrong, children need to understand that it’s possible to feel happy or sad while remaining kind, generous, and loving. To help children develop this insight, parents can guide them through emotional conversations by asking questions like, “Are you feeling nervous, scared, or happy?” and then giving them a chance to explain what they’re feeling. This practice will prepare children for social situations later in life, where they’ll feel more comfortable expressing emotion without judgment.
- Make mistakes and apologize
Empathy is rooted in experiencing others’ feelings firsthand. When children feel a sense of connection with a person or situation, they’re more willing to forgive mistakes and apologize to avoid upsetting them. To build this empathy, children should experience failures in the same way that adults do: by taking risks and making mistakes. To cultivate an atmosphere of learning, be sure to acknowledge mistakes instead of covering them up.
- Use praise, encouragement, and support
While it’s natural for children to crave approval from their parents and teachers, it’s equally important to encourage them to seek it from within themselves. Praise for a job well done, good effort, or being nice is a wonderful motivator, but it works best when children believe that they deserve the praise. As you encourage them to improve, don’t be afraid to tell them things like, “That’s