As the headlines remind us daily, empathy and compassion are often in scarce supply. But something can be done.. Says Prof. Simon Baron Cohen of the University of Cambridge: "Empathy is a skill like any other human skill; if you get a chance to pevidence suggests that service to others even contributes to an individual's healthy development. Just think! Individuals who do for others are more likely to be happier, more successful and even live longer. Here are ways to strengthen your child's empathy muscle:
- Together watch movies and read books with themes of caring and giving, or characters that practice compassion. Check out our comprehensive resource list.
- Take on a simple service project and talk about how you feel as a giver -- and how the person you're helping feels.
- Establish simple family traditions of service. Rather than one-time projects, these are small routines for your everyday life.
- Start a tradition of charitable giving.
- Do activities that emphasize the diversity of the world's cultures. Visit a Russian museum, Mexican festival, Korean market or African church. Remind children of the similarities among us and talk about valuing the differences.
*From "Doing Good Together."
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