Guidance Program
 
This month's character trait:
Compassion
Pamela Long-Rice 330-664-4887
 
How to Teach a Child Compassion By eHow Parenting Editor Learning about compassion and sympathy early in life builds ethical character, reduces violence and cultivates a sense of confidence in children. In today's violent world, parents have the moral obligation to educate their children about compassion. Teaching them to take responsibility for their own actions and to have respect for fellow human beings aids them not only to co-exist but also to help the less fortunate and advance our community. Instructions: Step1 Teach them compassion by being an example. Children learn a lot by role-playing those in their house and school. Include them in little chores around the house like taking care of the pets or building a birdhouse. Consider your child's interest and choose projects that match them. Step2 Involve your child in animal care programs in nearby shelters. Encouraging the spirit of mercy to animals is the foundation for kindness toward the greater humanity. Demonstrate the positive outcome of loyalty and love between people and pets to your child. Step3 Encourage them to donate their old toys and clothes to humane societies. Remember to explain to them about the diversities in the society and the necessity for everyone to participate to make it a better world. Humane education through volunteering bolsters positive mindset and behavior. Step4 Engage your child in making crafts and cards and deliver them to nearby nursing homes, children's hospitals, assisted living facilities and homeless shelters. Teach them to write letters to other children overseas through charity organizations. Step5 Read to them from books and articles about developing countries. Explain to them about the cultural and living differences in other parts of the world. Choose a particular country and teach your child to pray for its poverty. Step6 Teach your children to be responsible toward the environment. Sign up the family for a cleanup day at the park and talk to them about recycling, mother earth, conserving energy and protecting endangered species. Kind compassionate children: * Recognize and express appreciation for others' talents and skills * Put others' needs before their own * Help others because you want to * Listen and provide sympathy * Show kindness without expecting rewards * Share * Recognize and help those less fortunate than yourself Put compassion into action * Do helpful things at home without being asked. * Be generous with your time and your belongings. * Be a good listener * Look for kids at school who are being left out and inviting them to join in activities * Put someone else's need before your own. * Forgive someone who has hurt you. * Stick up for someone being teased * Each week, do one nice thing for a friend or family member Compassion: A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. The Most Caring Child Author: Ellen Kreidman Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four- year-old child, whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."