How Do Children Learn Empathy and Positive Social Behavior?

What can you do to help your child develop empathy for others? Here are some tips to try:

• When a disagreement occurs, or when your child has done something to hurt another child's feelings, explain the other person's point of view in terms your child can understand; role-playing can also help children see others' points of view.
• Giving your child responsibilities can help her to develop a strong moral sense. Activities such as feeding pets, assisting with meals, and caring for siblings are all good examples of tasks that help children develop moral responsibility.
• As you make your own moral decisions, share them with your child when appropriate. Using words your child can understand, share your own dilemmas, and even your mistakes.
• Model charitable behavior for your child: help someone in need, or donate to charity, involving your child as much as possible. Participating in community, volunteer, and/or religious activities will provide a place where your child can be exposed to other adults who share your values.
• Encourage sharing and turn-taking.

These skills do not come easy, and it is important to acknowledge this to your child. Sharing and turn-taking can be encouraged by:

• Keeping turns short to allow your child the opportunity to succeed in waiting his turn.
• Using timers when possible, to help children monitor the time left until their turn!
• Setting aside some special items that toddlers are NOT expected to share