Samantha is not yet 4 years old, but she already has the makings of a charitable child. She was distributing school supplies with her family to kids at a homeless shelter, where I was volunteering, and noticed one child in a corner didn’t have a backpack. She picked up a spare, walked to him and said, “I sorry you don’t have one. I hope you happy.”
The preschooler may have missed a few words, but her message displayed empathy and a charitable spirit – all because her parents were raising her to care about others.
Kids benefit in many ways from learning to be generous and caring about others. Researchers have found that empathy is the cornerstone for becoming a happy, well-adjusted, successful adult. Studies show that possessing empathy also makes children more likable, more employable, better leaders, more conscience-driven and even increases their lifespan.
The best news is that empathy can be cultivated, and one of the best empathy generators are service projects to help kids step out of their comfort zones, open their eyes and expose them to others’ lives. Here are 10 simple, science-backed tips adapted from my book, “UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed In Our All-About-Me World,” to inspire generosity in your children 365 days a year.
Read more at US News
