12th Mindful Monday Word-Compassion
Graphic by Joni
12th Mindful Monday word is Compassion. What comes to mind when you think of the word, compassion? This is the definition in the dictionary; : sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. When one is compassionate, we are aware that a person needs a listening ear, words of wisdom or words of kindness, a hug from someone that they respect and admire. Now, any stranger can have compassion towards another person, however, the person who is in need of compassion is more willing to accept sympathy from those they know. This is not to say that you can not be sympathetic or compassionate towards strangers. Today we live in communities much different from yesterday, as our homes, schools, churches and gatherings. While we may not be able to be kind to every person who could use compassion, we can be kind to one person which will make a difference. I always say, “Characters of Character is making a difference one child at a time.” You’ve heard it said that a smile can make someone’s day. I believe this with all my heart. Not every person you meet is filled with happiness, or joy, or having a good day. While we all have the choice to choose joy, it’s much more difficult for some. This doesn’t mean that you can’t be kind and compassionate towards them. A smile, a nod, or a bent ear cost you nothing and can make a difference in the life of another. Have you been the recipient of an act of kindness? If so, you know how nice it feels. Have you ever given kindness away? If so, you know how much joy your kindess brings to another person or group. Don’t stop there, keep the kindness, compassion and being warm-hearted character alive, you are making a difference and the world needs more.
Here at Characters of Character we feel that this is an important quality or trait in others. To be compassionate shows you care. Our character Warm-Hearted Walrus has compassion and is warm-hearted teaching our children to be the same. Our YouTube Chanel has a lot of videos and there are some with Ms. Joni talking about being kind with Warm-Hearted Walrus. There are activities you can share, engage your children and introduce them to this trait. This video is Ms.Joni talking about kind words and compliments from the Kindness Coloring book and this video is of Ms. Joni talking about the choice to be kind. This video says, “It’s cool to be kind.” While I taught preschool, this character was a visual in our classroom, a reminder to be kind to one another and to not be a bully. I used activities and lessons from the Resource Book with Warm-Hearted Walrus as well as from the Poster and Bulletin Board Books with Warm-Hearted Walrus. There is a social story called “Let’s Be Kind” starring Warm-Hearted Walrus to help introduce this trait to your children and have a reference to turn to. At the end of this book is Warm-Hearted Walrus which you can cut out, laminate if you wish, and put this character on a ruler or a Popsicle stick to carry around as a visual reminder to be kind, compassionate and warm-hearted. Kids relate to the characters and internalize what the trait represents and stands for. With our Kindness Coloring Book, I take pages from their to color and use as a Journal cover. Children love to draw and write about their activities and to have visuals of being kind truly is engaging and empowering.
These are a few tips on how to teach kindness and compassion to our children with Warm-Hearted Walrus:
We hope you talk with your child about being warm-hearted. Below are some simple ideas to teach them:
1. To be kind in the home
2. To be kind in the classroom
3. To ask parent(s) how they can be helpful
4. To write a thank you note to someone they love
5. To pick up trash in the community
6. To tell a member of the community that they are appreciated for their hard work
7. To do volunteer work
This is a template for you to use to help reinforce and teach compassion at home or in your classroom.
This is a video from Pedatric Interactions who love Warm-Hearted Walrus and share some tips, too.
TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn. Ben Franklin
Graphic by Jen Downey