When it comes to teaching children, children follow their parents' lead. "Monkey See, Monkey Do." Therefore, it's important for parents to demonstrate ways to be compassionate at home. After all, when parents show kindness, their children will learn kindness. When parents show intolerance, impatience, and injustice, children will learn to behave in the same ways.

Here are some hands-on examples of ways parents can model compassion so that their children will follow:

1. Teaching Compassion for Other Family Members

Scenario: It's the weekend. Mom and Dad have been doing chores all day long. Both are tired. When they decide to call it quits for the day, Mom offers Dad something cold to drink and they sit together on the couch. Dad massages Mom's feet after a long day.

Effect: Little Matt sees that both Mom and Dad feel for and understand each other. Little Matt learns what empathy and compassion look like. He also sees the positive effects such kindness has on others.

Learning Moment: Talk to Matt about the importance of showing compassion to others in the family. Even if you're tired or even if you're a child, you can still show kindness is easy, helpful ways. These acts of kindness make people feel good inside' both the receiver and the giver!

Participation: Let Little Matt bring a cookie for Dad or let him massage Mom's fingers. These little ways of contributing to others will send the signal to Little Matt that he can make others feel good by showing compassion.

2. Teaching Compassion for Animals

Having pets in the home is a great way to teach children compassion.

Scenario: Polly the cockatoo is making a raucous in her stand. Mom checks her out, sees the seed bin empty, and the water cup empty. Mom cleans the bird's dishes, pours some seeds into the food cup and replaces the water with fresh, clean water.

Effect: Little Matt understands that if pets need and deserve attention.

Learning moment: Explain to Little Matt that the bird became noisy because it couldn't fend for itself and she was hungry. Just like when he was a little baby, and he was hungry, he would cry. Mom treats Polly as a member of the family who needs caring, Little Matt would treat Polly in the same way.

Participation: Assign Matt to be the "listener" for Polly's cries or the "food checker" every other day. When able, he can put seeds and pour water into the container.

3. Teaching Compassion for Playmates Scenario: While playing in your backyard, Little Matt's friend, Tommy, bruises his knee and starts crying. Mom washes his bruises, blowing to keep the pain away, and placing antiseptic to make sure the bruise doesn't get infected. All this time, Mom explains to Matt what she is doing.

Effect: Little Matt sees that his friend is in pain but also sees that his Mom is working gently to take the pain away. Again, Little Matt learns empathy and compassion.

Learning Moment: When our friends get hurt, we need to stop what we're doing and take care of the. That means helping them when they trip or getting an adult when they need some extra assistance.

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