3 Games for Teaching Empathy: Turning Kids Into Caring Children

Empathy is the act of understanding and feeling what another is experiencing. It includes sympathy, compassion, and identification. We observe the feelings of another with our eyes and ears. We respond with our hearts.

Experts say empathy is the cornerstone of character. Let's find out how games can help you build empathy and character in your children.

First: Character Building with "Describe the Emotion"

When reading stories with pictures, ask your child to"Describe the Emotions" of the characters they see. Nap time and bedtime stories provide easy opportunities to help your kids observe and describe emotions.

Flip through the magazines in the doctor's office to find expressive pictures for your children. It will pass the time and help your kids have fun too.

Recognizing feelings with facial pictures is a good step toward building character through empathy.

Second: Building Character with "Spot the Feeling"

When you and your kids are watching TV, play the game, "Spot the Feeling." Tell your kids to "spot the feeling" during advertisements when they notice a character expressing an emotion. When someone answers, ask "How did you know?" Listen to and help them discuss their answers. Give high fives each time they identify and discuss a feeling.

By asking, "How do you know?" you're helping your children to think more deeply about the cues the character in the advertisement is displaying.

This is what we want our children to notice when they see a classmate, friend, or uncool child who is sad, upset, or happy. Realizing others have feelings is a strong step toward empathy.

Third: Character Building with "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall"

Take turns with your child and make faces that express different emotions. Facial emotions might include anger, happiness, sadness, fear, shock, shame, surprise, nervousness, upset, silliness, or gratitude. Use the rhyme, "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall":

"Mirror, mirror on the wall,

What's my feeling?

Make your call."

Give credit to answers that are close.

Ask, "How would you respond to someone with this facial expression?"

After your child gives some suggestions, it's your child's turn to say the rhyme, make the face, and ask, "How would you respond to someone with this facial expression?"

This game helps your child to think in terms of taking positive actions to respond to others' feelings. Imagine how this game could help your child support a bullied student, ask a child why he's crying, or figure out how to help a needy schoolmate.

Conclusion for Turning Kids into Caring Children

Kids love playing games with their parents. Why not have fun and teach them to care about others at the same time?

Start out with"Describe the Emotion" in storybooks and magazines. Use "Spot the Feeling" to access your children's wisdom in recognizing someone's feelings. Choose "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall" to teach your children to both identify feelings and help others in need.

Many experts name empathy as the cornerstone of character. Why not use games to build a solid foundation for empathy? If you do, you'll be turning your children into caring people with strong characters.

Jean Tracy invites you to view this video of her e-book - Character Building: Stories for Family Discussions promotes empathy in kids. Now available on Amazon.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Tracy

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Raise Confident Kids: Teach Them Problem Solving

We all want to raise confident kids. Kids who can handle the challenges of life and come out stronger. We want our kids to have a strong positive image so that they will be able to withstand the classroom bully, the tough teacher and a disappointing team loss.

There are many ways we can build confidence in our kids. Here are 4 simple ways to do just that:

1. Ask their opinion:

Children like to be asked for their point of view. It helps them to develop their critical thinking skills.

For example:

Do you think we should go to the grocery store or the butcher first?
Should we have strawberries or apples for dessert today?
Sara is not feeling well. Do you think we should give her the fleece blanket or the fuzzy blanket?

2. Promote problem solving skills:

When we give kids some practice in solving the little problems of life, they may have an easier time solving the big ones.

We as parents can ask:

What can we do to make sure that your homework is in your backpack everyday?
There has been some fighting over the TV. What can we do to remedy this?
The table is not being cleared efficiently. How can we make sure that everyone is doing their jobs?

3. Let them know they can solve their own problems:

Kids also like to have a say in what will help them overcome the little challenges that they face everyday. To teach them that they have the ability to help themselves with a little thought, you can ask:

Your team had some trouble on the soccer field. What could you do to help your team?
Sam was mean to you today. That hurts. What can you do to prepare yourself if he does it again?
What could you do to help you manage Ms. M's criticism?

4. Reinforce confident behavior:

Finally, as parents we want to praise thinking that is solution oriented. Any time they come up with a solution that helps the household parents want to acknowledge it. Any attempts by children to come up with a solution to any of their problems should be noted as well.

• "I like that idea, let's try it and see if it works."
• "That is an interesting perspective. You were thinking out of the box."

Raising confident kids is possible. Asking our kids opinions, promoting problem skills, letting them know they are capable of solving their own problems and reinforcing their confident behavior are all great ways to increase our kids competence in the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adina_Soclof

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