This article is EVERYWHERE! I've seen it on my Facebook feed, on twitter, and several friends and colleagues have forwarded it to me. It's message is simple, yet essential: You want your kids to be nice and here is how. The article really gives you a step-by-step guide on how to teach your kids to care for others. This is not something that necessarily comes easily or naturally to all kids or parents. We are often so focused on our own happiness and achievement to worry about that of others. But caring for others is essential. It can lead to empathy and understanding of others, which in our global, multicultural world is absolutely vital.
This article lets us know that caring for others is a skill; it needs to be practiced. We cannot expect that this is something that our children will just develop on their own without some help. I believe that developing this skill can help protect against numerous disorders. This skills may not prevent something like Conduct Disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorder, but it may keep some of the symptoms from developing. If you are taught to care about others, it is less likely that you will continually break the law or violate the rights of others-a hallmark symptom of Conduct Disorder.
Of course, teaching this to our children isn't easy-or everyone would already be doing it. If you find yourself needing help or support, a psychologist is a great person to turn to. We may not be able to teach these skills for you, but we can help design a method that works for your family or help you come up with something new when you feel like you've tried everything.
So enjoy this article and know that every small kind act, whether you are overtly teaching it or modeling, will help your child learn kindness. Let me know what you think in the comments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2014/07/18/are-you-raising-nice-kids-a-harvard-psychologist-gives-5-ways-to-raise-them-to-be-kind/
This article lets us know that caring for others is a skill; it needs to be practiced. We cannot expect that this is something that our children will just develop on their own without some help. I believe that developing this skill can help protect against numerous disorders. This skills may not prevent something like Conduct Disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorder, but it may keep some of the symptoms from developing. If you are taught to care about others, it is less likely that you will continually break the law or violate the rights of others-a hallmark symptom of Conduct Disorder.
Of course, teaching this to our children isn't easy-or everyone would already be doing it. If you find yourself needing help or support, a psychologist is a great person to turn to. We may not be able to teach these skills for you, but we can help design a method that works for your family or help you come up with something new when you feel like you've tried everything.
So enjoy this article and know that every small kind act, whether you are overtly teaching it or modeling, will help your child learn kindness. Let me know what you think in the comments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2014/07/18/are-you-raising-nice-kids-a-harvard-psychologist-gives-5-ways-to-raise-them-to-be-kind/
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