Child development experts call these kind acts "prosocial" Some
prosocial behavior is for selfish reasons: to get approval or to
get something in return. But kindness for kindness' sake is the
goal. Of course, you won't always know what motivates your
Sproutlet, but there are things you can do to promote a more
caring child. Giving children concrete rewards such as candy or
money for their behavior may encourage kind behavior, but not
for the right reasons. Praise is a better option, such as a hug
or compliment, although it still is not the best way to
encourage selfless acts of kindness. Focus on Empathy & Sympathy
The most effective way to promote kind acts is to help your
child develop her capacity for empathy and sympathy. Empathy is
feeling another's emotion, or what that person might feel in a
given situation. For example, if your child sees someone who is
sad and feels sad as a consequence, that is empathy. If your
child hears a news story about children who are victims of an
earthquake and feels sad,