15 Minute Practice: Building Empathy
When something is fun it becomes appealing and that gives young children a positive association with it. Here are some ways that you can build empathy-teaching moments into your parenting.
Collect some large stones when you are out for a walk. Wash them when at home and once they are dried you can engage your child in painting them. Once dry they can be gifted as paper weights to neighbours/family members.
Plant a seed with your child. Each day they must take care of and nurture their seed as it grows into a flower or plant. This gives them something to do each day and you can praise their kindness and thoughtfulness.
Have your child help you pack care packages and then go with them to drop them off at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
Encourage your child to re-gift toys to children in shelters/ orphanages or to buy a new toy for a child who is less well off.
Use this simply pnemonic to help:
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15-Minute Parenting 0–7 Years
Joanna Fortune
Parenting is for life – 7 days a week, 24 hours a day – and while it is one of the most rewarding experiences life can offer, it can also be frustrating when faced with challenging behaviour. But what if just 15 minutes of mindful playtime each day in you and your child’s routine could change all that?
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