TIP 7. Help children develop self-control and manage feelings effectively. WHY? Often the ability to care for others is overwhelmed by anger, shame, envy, or other negative feelings. HOW? We can teach children that all feelings are ok, but some ways of dealing with them […]

TIP 6. Promote children’s ability to be ethical thinkers and positive change-makers in their communities. WHY? Children are naturally interested in ethical questions and grappling with these ethical questions can help them figure out, for example, what fairness is, what they owe others, and what […]

TIP 5. Expand your child’s circle of concern. WHY? Almost all children empathize with and care about a small circle of families and friends. Our challenge is help children learn to have empathy and care about someone outside that circle, such as a new child in […]

TIP 3. Make caring for others a priority and set high ethical expectations. WHY? It’s very important that children hear from their parents and caretakers that caring about others is a top priority and that it is just as important as their own happiness. Even […]

TIP 2. Be a strong moral role model and mentor. WHY? Children learn ethical values and behaviors by watching our actions and the actions of other adults they respect. Children will listen to our teaching when we walk the talk. HOW? Pay close attention to […]

TIP 1. Work to develop caring, loving relationships with your kids. WHY? Children learn to care and respect when they are treated that way. When our children feel loved, they also become attached to us. That attachment makes them more receptive to our values and […]

Research in human development clearly shows that the seeds of empathy, caring, and compassion are present from early in life, but that to become caring, ethical people, children need adults to help them at every stage of childhood to nurture these seeds into full development. We […]