Teaching Children to Share and Be Kind
All over the world, parents, teachers, and caregivers hope to raise children who are compassionate. The ability to give and care without expecting anything in return helps build the foundation of a peaceful and resilient society. When kindness and sharing are nurtured early, children grow up with a stronger sense of connection—to their families, schools, and even global communities.
The Role of Sharing and Kindness
From Europe to Oceania, there is a common goal: to raise a generation that understands the emotions of others. Studies in child development show that when children learn to share—even something as simple as a toy or their time—they become more empathetic and socially skilled.
In Canadian schools, a “buddy bench” encourages children who feel alone to sit on a special bench where others will notice and invite them to play. This promotes social awareness and action. In Germany, school projects include building community gardens together, which encourages sharing time, skills, and harvests with nearby families.
Understanding Empathy Through Childhood Development
Empathy forms strong social bonds. According to neuroscience research, the prefrontal cortex becomes more active when a child starts considering how their actions affect others. The more they see their parents or siblings modeling caring behavior, the stronger the brain pathways for emotional responses become.
At the University of California, researchers found that a simple family tradition called the “thank-you circle”—where everyone expresses gratitude every evening—reduced aggression and increased positive social behavior within six weeks.
Practical Ways to Encourage Daily Acts of Kindness
Families across many countries are finding creative ways to promote kindness through everyday routines. Here are four easy activities that many parents use:
Toy Rotation Box: Create a box where each child picks one toy weekly to lend to a sibling or friend.
“Thanks, Friend” Card: Every Friday, children can make a simple thank-you card for a classmate who showed care during the week.
Tidy-Up Crew Game: Turn cleanup into a race. If the children tidy up their toys in five minutes, the whole family sings a favorite tune together.
Kindness Map: Pin a world map on the wall and place notes on it every time the family reads a story about kindness from another country.
Through these routines, kindness becomes something real—not just an idea.
Examples of Compassion Around the World
In Japan, the cultural value of omoiyari teaches children to be considerate—from helping an elder carry a heavy bag to quietly cleaning their own seats at school. In New Zealand, Māori programs teach manaaki, or caring for others, through food-sharing during gatherings. In Kenya, Maasai communities practice enkanyit, or humility. When a child shows respect, they are gifted a necklace as a sign of their effort.
These stories from different places reveal that while traditions and languages may vary, the message of kindness stays the same.
How Parents and Guardians Make an Impact
Extensive studies have shown that children mimic what they observe at home. When they hear their parents say things like, “That was thoughtful of you to share your chocolate with your sister,” they begin to associate giving with positive emotions.
Another helpful method is using emotional labeling: “Ana looks sad because she doesn’t have a pen. Can you lend her one?” When children get used to this kind of dialogue, they become more attuned to others’ feelings.
Reflective questions also help build empathy. For example: “How would you feel if you had no toy to play with?” Questions like these guide children to place themselves in another person’s situation and consider other perspectives.
Technology With a Heart
Even as screen time becomes a regular part of children’s lives, guidance remains important. Some apps encourage teamwork—for example, puzzles that require two players to communicate in order to solve them. Screen time can also become a starting point for thoughtful conversations. After watching a short video about helping others, parents can ask, “What can we do tomorrow that’s like what you saw?”
Technology, when used this way, becomes a bridge—not a wall—between learning and doing good.
Recognizing Progress and Celebrating Small Wins
Kindness doesn’t have to come from big gestures. A kindness jar can be placed at home, where children write down something nice they did or received that day. When the jar fills up, families can celebrate by baking cookies together or doing a favorite group activity.
At school, monthly “Generosity Days” can be organized where students bring used books to donate. These efforts provide clear evidence of growth and make the value of kindness feel more visible. Simple actions, when acknowledged, become lasting habits.
Ongoing Support at Every Stage
The path to raising kind and generous children doesn’t end after one lesson. It’s a daily process shaped by observation, open communication, and real-life examples. As children grow, the acts they do today—no matter how small—become deeply embedded in their character.
Each good deed, no matter how simple, holds the potential to grow into something bigger. In many families around the world, these values are passed on like treasured traditions. By nurturing a culture of care and compassion, we shape a future where treating others kindly is not rare—it’s expected.