Our small community does SO many things GREAT, BUT one of the things that I have appreciated over the last several months as a parent and professional is the hard work that so many have put into giving our kids the opportunity to serve others locally.
In a world that has a multitude of challenges, we all need to be more focused on raising kids that have the ability to empathize with someone else. According to Dr. David Walsh, PhD (http://drdavewalsh.com/posts/ask/228), researchers have documented that teens with higher levels of empathy are MORE likely to stand up for someone outside of their social group, be BETTER equipped to collaborate with their peers, and be compassionate problem-solvers...EVERYTHING that parents and educators want for them! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those individuals in our community that have had our youth out helping paint, clean, move, and clean-up our neighborhoods. As parents, please continue to help support these efforts for our youth... If you are newly excited about raising empathetic children...Here are some GREAT strategies to get you started... 1. Consider regularly engaging in community service projects together. 2. Take an interest in those from various backgrounds facing many different types of challenges. **Have conversations about what is going on in the news....Talk about immigration, political issues, unemployment, homelessness, etc, and TRY to bring out an opposing argument. 3. Help your children understand that the world doesn’t revolve around them. **There is a MIDDLE-PATH between you matter AND no one else BUT you matters...FIND IT!!! 4. Encourage empathy for their peers. Ask them about their classmates and other peers. 5. Emphasize with your child the importance of really listening to others, especially those who may seem unfamiliar OR they don’t immediately understand. 6. Encourage children to consider the feelings of those who may be vulnerable AND give children some simple ideas for taking action...Role-play it, and practice IF...THEN scenarios. As always, call or stop by with questions or concerns. Stacy
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