There’s no doubt about it: the world and nearly everyone in it, has been through a wild ride these last few years. The news headlines continue to bring sad and difficult stories, but thankfully, there are many stories of children and young people that are out in the world with their thoughtful, generous ideas and spirits.
Thoughtful kids and young adults are those that understand what it means to have empathy. Oftentimes, they are passionate about causes that make them look outside of themselves. If you want to empower the young people in your life to live thoughtful lives so they too can change the world, here are some tips.
#1: Introduce them to positive role models – in person and in what they read and watch.
From a young age, start introducing your children to people that are doing good things in the world. In books and movies, let them read about characters that are helping others, that are kind, and modeling thoughtful behavior. Social media, movies, and television are huge motivators in what children model, so limit their viewing of violence and aggression as much as possible. Instead, give them access to shows that demonstrate thoughtfulness, empathy, and promote caring about others.
#2: Work together on being thoughtful.
Kids model what they see at home. So, modeling kindness and thoughtfulness toward others is important. One good way to do this is to work together on being thoughtful. For example, come up with some ideas that you and your children can do together to give back to others. Maybe it’s cleaning up a local area park, it’s helping make dinner or dessert to a loved one who is sick, donating food to a local food bank, or writing a card to an elderly person in a senior living center. When your children see what it’s like to be thoughtful, they will want to continue mimicking that and as they grow up, it will become more inherent to their way of life.
#3: Encourage them that there is no thoughtful action too small.
Kids have limited physical resources like money or jobs, but their ideas, words and actions are what will change the world. So, when you are teaching about thoughtfulness, make sure they know that there is nothing too small for them to give. Changing the world often just begins with a smile or a kind word. That one thing – as small as it may seem – could be life changing to the person on the receiving end.
This summer, consider making a list of thoughtful ideas or things you can do that could help brighten someone’s day. Raising thoughtful kids is one of the best ways we can bring light and hope to our world!