04/05/2022
Ways to promote kindness in your own home:
•Lead by example: children are creatures of habit that learn through observation. Be cautious of what kind of behaviors you display to your child.
•Reinforce Kindness without reward- instead of using charts and reward-based behavioral strategies, ask your child to think about how that makes the other person feel. Questions like “how would that make you feel?” or “how could you have handled that in a better way?” Help your child learn empathy in their own homes!
•Talk openly about differences- what differences make your child unique? How do those differences make you, you? What kind of differences may have the same impacts on other children’s identity?
•Create an open environment- something all parent strive to create is an environment conducive to their child’s growth. Focus on I feel statements and ask how you can support your child. Let them know that you are a safe zone without judgment.
•Remember that every child has the potential to be a bully. Do not be blind to that possibility. With your support a child can curb habits, but only if you are constantly looking for warning signs.
