Chapter 6. Empathetic Children Practice Kindness
6th EMPATHY HABIT: Developing and exercising compassion to increase children’s
concern about
the welfare and feelings of others
Corresponds to pages 119 to 140 in Unselfie
1. Did Harvard’s survey (pg 124) as to the values teens deem “most important” surprise you? What values would your child say matter? Do you agree that “achievement and success” are trumping “kindness and character”? (pg 124) How can parents help kids realize that kindness matters?
2. Do you agree that kindness can be stretched like a muscle? Why do many parents think that kindness is a fixed trait? How can you help your child practice kindness (such as on pg 129-135)?
3. Jessica and Mark initiated Secret Kindness Buddies (pg 136) to focus on kindness and giving. Are there other family rituals (such as those on pg 135-139) you would like to try with your kids?
4. “Kids learn kindness best through example” (pg 134). If your child had only your example to watch, would he catch kindness? How can parents be more intentional about modeling kindness?
5. Were you surprised by the findings on random acts of kindness studies with children (pg 127)? How could you apply Sonja Lyubomirsky’s findings with your family? (A few ideas: pg 129-132).
6. What books and films help kids understand kindness? How could parents share selections amongst so more children can be exposed to their messages about kindness?
7. Is starting a Kid Kind Club (pg 139) something you might consider? If so, how might you begin?
Chapter 7. Empathetic Kids Think “Us” Not “Them”
with others to achieve shared goals for the benefit of all
Corresponds to pages 141 to 168 in Unselfie
8. How has the decline of unstructured play affected childhood? How much free time does your child have to learn collaborative skills?
9. How might parents join forces to use the cooperative game ideas (pg 163), mix up the social scene (pg 162) or movie nights (pg 162) to boost their children’s cooperative skills?
10. How are you strengthening your child’s collaborative skills (like playgroups, team membership, family meetings)? What family projects (pg 164) might help your family work together?
11. How could you use the Family Meetings (pg 154) to polish your child’s social-emotional skills?
12. How has stiff competition affected empathy (pg 148)? Are you more likely to praise “the win” or your child’s “camaraderie” (pg 162)? How can parents help kids grasp that teamwork counts?
13. We empathize with those “like us.” How can you expand your child’s Circle of Concern (pg 150)?
14. What community resources might you use to expose your child to more diversity? How do we help children understand racism and injustice happening in the world?
No comments:
Post a Comment