There’s no denying that parenthood is one of the most rewarding experiences life has to offer. After all, what could be more fulfilling than raising a happy, healthy family? But parenthood also comes with its fair share of challenges – financial, emotional, and otherwise. Indeed, raising a little human, instilling the right values, and guiding them down the right path can feel intimidating.
Jonah Engler believes that one of the best ways to do this is to teach children about love and kindness from an early age. Doing so will help them develop into well-rounded, compassionate individuals who are better equipped to deal with the challenges life throws their way.
Jonah Engler Approved Ways to Instill Love in Your Little One
1. Talk about love often
Encourage your child to talk about love frequently. Jonah Engler suggests asking them open-ended questions about what love is, telling them stories about acts of love and kindness you’ve witnessed or experienced yourself, or reading books together that deal with the topic. The more you talk about love, the more your child will internalize its importance.
2. Lead by example
Of course, it’s one thing to talk about love and another thing entirely to show it. As such, you must lead by example in your own life. Show your child what it looks like to love others by being kind and compassionate. Demonstrate acts of service, such as volunteering or helping a neighbor in need. And make sure to express your love for your child through words and deeds.
3. Encourage acts of kindness
One way to encourage love in your child is to help them see the value in acts of kindness. When your child does something kind, take a moment to point it out and praise them for their good deeds. You can also encourage acts of kindness by involving your child in service projects or charity work. Not only will this help them feel good about themselves, but it will also give them a chance to see the difference that love and compassion can make in the lives of others.
4. Help them understand emotions
Part of being loving and kind is understanding and empathizing with the emotions of others. You can help your child develop this important skill by teaching them about different emotions and how to identify them in themselves and others. When your child is sad, angry, or scared, take a moment to talk to them about what they’re feeling. Help them understand that it’s normal and okay to have these emotions, and encourage them to express how they’re feeling in a healthy way.
5. Promote positive self-talk
Self-love is an important foundation for being able to love others. As such, it’s important to promote positive self-talk in your child. Help them understand that they are valuable, special, and loved just the way they are. Encourage them to speak kindly to themselves and to treat themselves with compassion and respect.
Bottom Line
While there are many values that should be focused on from an early age, Jonah Engler believes that love and kindness are the most important. They are the foundation of a good personality and develop human beings that truly add to the world.