How to Inspire Your Kids to Be Generous BY M A R I A N A K E L L E R
A S P A R E N T S , W E P L AY A S I G N I F I C A N T R O L E in helping children develop the virtue of generosity. In addition to continually teaching Biblical values, we can lay a firm foundation both through direct encouragement and the example of compassion, kindness, and generosity ourselves. Here are a few ideas to practice at home with your children. S H O W G R AT I T U D E D A I LY
A student in Mrs. Anderson’s class donates to Bear Creek’s annual Hopelink food drive.
Talk to your kids about the deeper meaning of
Research has shown that gratitude plays a major role
gratitude by guiding them to make a connection
in both adults’ and children’s well-being.
between doing or receiving good things, what they
A study on gratitude in children suggests that grateful young adolescents (ages 11 – 13), compared to their less grateful counterparts, are happier and more optimistic, have better social support, give
think about it, how do they feel about it, and what can they do to show their appreciation. Be on the lookout for stories of everyday acts of kindness to share with your family.
more emotional support to others, and are more
To further help your child cultivate gratitude, you
satisfied with their school, family, community,
can create a daily family tradition like taking turns
friends, and themselves. Another similar study found
during dinner time naming one thing each person is
that grateful teens (ages 14 – 19) are more satisfied
thankful for that day. If your children are older, you
with their lives, use their strengths to better their
can suggest creating a gratitude journal together. You
community, are more engaged in their schoolwork
can make a gratefulness jar for your family—leave
and hobbies, have higher grades, and are less
pieces of paper and pen next to it so you can all add
envious, depressed, and materialistic.
to the jar when you feel grateful for something or
Some neuroscience studies observed that the neural connection between gratefulness and generosity is profound, and that cultivating gratitude may
do a good deed. You will see how powerful it is to talk about positive things every day or experience the visual reminder of blessings as your jar fills up!
encourage us to feel more generous.
C U LT I VAT E E M P AT H Y
The Greater Good Science Center at the University of
Bear Creek actively and intentionally works to help
California, Berkeley studies the psychology, sociology,
students develop empathy. We can cultivate empathy
and neuroscience of well-being and teaches skills that
by helping our children imagine how others feel.
foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.
Ask them how they feel when something special
They suggest that there are four parts of gratitude that
happens or when they receive a gift. You can name
you should talk to your children about to help their
those feelings again when you do a good deed or give
appreciation grow: notice, think, feel, and do.
something to someone else.
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MODUS VIVENDI – Summer 2021
