"Inspire a Love of Learning, Empower Learners with the Courage, Confidence, Creativity and Compassion to make learners the best citizen of Tomorrow."

This is a unique approach to education that is in tune with each child's unique needs and skills, and one that prepares the child to become a well-rounded adult.

We should believe there's more to teaching than dispensing curriculum, and adopt practices that lead students and their families to become more courageous and confidence being connected with us.

The freedom to make mistakes provides the best environment for creativity. Education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don't.

- Anatole Franc

Too often, I've heard teachers talk about how helpless they feel when it comes to reaching out to their students. The days of being the person whose job it is to exclusively provide students with an education -- and nothing more -- are long over. Honestly, some will say those days never existed. I've never wavered in my belief that teachers are much more than people passing out curriculum. For some students, school is the best part of their day because it offers an escape from their life at home. As teachers, it's important for us to understand that there is so much more to students than the life they lead in class, and it is important to show interest in a student outside of the day's homework. Here are three simple things a teacher can do to connect with students and let them know there is more to school than just a report card.

The First Five Minutes

I have read about the First Five Minutes before, and it is something I strongly believe. The FFM is a simple thing that any teacher can do in his or her class. I always take those first few minutes to engage my students in casual conversation. I ask them about their day and if they have anything exciting going on the rest of the week. We'll talk about gaming, music, television shows, sports, movies, and anything else they want to discuss. Sometimes it's only a couple of minutes with a handful of students or a larger class discussion on something in the news, but this is something I always do in class.

I can learn so much about my students in these few minutes each and every day. I figure out very quickly who has a tough home life based on their answers. If a student talks about babysitting most nights for her siblings, I can guess that the parents work late. If I notice they're always talking about the new books they're reading, I know I can count on them to be leaders in class discussion. I have made some strong connections with students, which has allowed me to help struggling learners and kids with other issues. I could help them because they trusted me, and they trusted me because I listened.

Attending Extra-Curricular Activities

This is something I have dedicated myself to doing since I started teaching -- and it's not easy. In fact, it's only become more difficult with the growth of my family, but I still make an effort to attend the events that my students participate in. It's important to take an interest in the things students love if you want them to take an interest in what you love. I never encountered a student that wasn't happy to see a teacher at one of these events. It's always big smiles and giant waves to get attention. For some of my students, my attending one of their events is more than any of their family members ever attend. It's a simple act to show that the students matter.

Another great reason to attend these events is to connect with family. I love interacting with my students' parents in an informal setting. It's nice way to keep in touch and have conversations about their child. We can share information about class issues and home issues, and then start working together. Parents feel more comfortable talking with teachers they feel are invested in their child's success. Attending a field hockey game at 7:30 on a Wednesday night is one way to show investment. Little acts like appearing at extracurricular events are a sure way to show students and parents that you are involved.

Be Available

Something I started doing more recently has really paid off when it comes to connecting with my students. I hold regular office hours before school starts. I promise all of my students that I will be available earlier until the seven-minute bell rings if they want to come and talk, use an iPad to study, or just relax and draw on the desks (which are covered in IdeaPaint, turning them into dry erase surfaces). I tell kids they can email me to schedule an appointment, pop in and schedule one for the next day or just stop by the room. I was surprised at how many students take advantage of the open door. Even better, I have students that I no longer teach stop in and catch up.

My open office hours have turned into a nice place for kids to come before classes start and just talk about what's going on in their lives. Sometimes it's typical high school stuff that can pass in a day or so, but sometimes students express fears about their future, or they're battling depression and fear being medicated for the rest of their lives. The conversations can range from deep and sad to light and goofy. For the students that stop by, I know it means the world to them to have an adult that will listen and be there when they need it. I give up time in the morning, but I gain important connections with my students that allow me to not only help them with their problems, but also engage them in the classroom.

These three things are very different from each other and require different amounts of effort to implement. It has taken me over 12 years of teaching to put them all into place. As I look back at the conversations I’ve had with students and parents and the events I've attended, I wouldn't take any of it back. I hope my son has teachers that are willing to listen to him complain about what a pain I'm being.

IMBIBING COURAGE WITHIN LEARNERS

What is courage? Is it putting your life at risk to protect others? Is it doing the right thing even when it hurts someone you love? Is it being able to go on after losing a child?

To be brave is to have courage, valor. Those are all certainly words we would love to be associated with our children. However, what is the essence of bravery? What is that certain quality we want to instill in our children that will make them brave when others cower?

We will attempt to break that down in these 10 ways:

1. Set the Example. We often talk here about how the eyes of our children are always on us. That most definitely applies here. Our kids’ prime examples of bravery are most likely going to come from you. Allow them to witness you stepping out of your comfort zones. If you are terrified of rollercoasters, face your fear with them and ride that monster at the park. Maybe you are afraid dancing makes you look like an idiot. Dance with them.

2. Invoke Culture and Heritage. It is nearly impossible to complete a brave act without a reason for doing so. Our various cultures and our rich heritage provide the foundation for what we believe. “Son, you are a Thompson and we have a long history of standing on the side of justice.” When we invoke family pride in that manner, we are invoking the heritage of our people and our nation. Teaching children their history and where they come from gives them the base they require to display courage and righteousness.

3. Challenge and Praise. We naturally want to protect our children at all times. However, we also must challenge them constantly to try new things and to do things they might fear. Trying new food, speaking in front of the class, or playing a sport are some examples. When they step up and do these types of things, be sure to give ample praise and love. Build on their courageous attempts.

4. Point Out Real Life Role Models. When we think of heroes, we think of soldiers, fire fighters or police men and women. They all can certainly provide many examples of courage and valor. Go even further by giving them brave quotes from people in all walks of life. Such as this quote from actress Mary Tyler Moore that states, “You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.” Perhaps you have a white board or chalkboard in your home. A weekly quote such as this for all to read is a great way to get a developing mind thinking in the right direction.

5. Develop the Courage to Reach Out. Young children are very accepting of almost anyone. Eventually however, as is human nature, cliques will form and social groups will stick in the same patterns. Those that are “different” often wind up left out. Brave kids, the type of people that become adults that we desperately need in society, will step outside of the boundaries of peer pressures. They will reach out to that child who is sitting alone in the lunch room or encourage and befriend the child burdened with a handicap. In the world our children live in daily, this is perhaps the strongest form of bravery. Wouldn’t you be proud if it was your child who was that brave soul who dared to share good will towards everyone they encounter?

6. Building Confidence and Conviction. Proper parenting insists that we build and nourish confidence within our children. While parenting styles may vary, this is a constant truth. Confidence regarding courage stems from deep belief in knowing what is right and what is wrong. From that platform, acts of bravery come forth. “All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.” – James Freeman Clarke.

7. Differentiating When Violence Meets Bravery. When we consider bravery, most envision some sort of physical encounter—standing up to a bully or coming to the aid of a friend in harm’s way. The trick here is to teach your child the appropriate time to be physically brave. Teach them righteous justice.

8. Role Play. Get creative. Television is mostly mind mush, so instead of sitting in front of it watching something that is teaching your child improper behavior, create your own live action dramas. Come up with different scenarios involving potential acts of bravery and courage.

9. Constant Communication. Courage is basically wisdom, and much can be gained just by talking. There are no stats to prove this, but it could be contended that 99% of all problems could be solved with a little common sense and real and honest communication. Talk to your child constantly and openly. Share with him things that happened to you at his age and how you dealt with them. Encourage him and create an environment where he feels safe to share the important things going on his private life. If your child can openly talk to you about his problems, then you are able to help him come up with real solutions.

10. Spiritual Foundation. Our Creator has given us all the tools we need to be great human beings. Since that is the case, then within every living soul lies a brave heart. Give your child a solid and life-lasting spiritual foundation.

INSTILLING CONFIDENCE WITHIN LEARNERS

An increasing number of students are struggling with self-esteem issues. All too often, they fall for the lie that “It’s worse to try and fail than not to try at all.” As long as they don’t put forth any effort, after all, they don’t have to be disappointed in themselves. In order to protect their self-esteem, students lower the amount of effort they’re putting forth and make little effort to accomplish anything. Unfortunately, this is the exact opposite of what will help them succeed academically. Many teachers are becoming increasingly aware of this issue, learning to guard against these negative attitudes in students. Teachers must work to build self-confidence in students in a way that encourages them to move on to bigger and better challenges, improves work ethic in students, and gives students the tools they need for success. Young people can achieve so much more when they feel confident. As teachers, we can play a monumental role in nurturing the self-esteem of our students.

There are, I believe, some sure-fire ways of doing this, so here are my five tips on how to get the best out of your students.

1. Create a secure environment for learning

If a student feels that at any moment a peer can ridicule them, this will obviously affect their willingness to express themselves in your lesson (for fear of getting picked on), as well as their wider confidence around school. It’s crucial that students feel safe in class, safe to express themselves and be themselves. But more than just having strategies to implement, this is also about taking a completely non-partisan approach to the class. You can’t have favourites who you allow to dominate, while others are pushed to the back.

Equally, however much you want to “keep a class onside”, there are certain things you simply can’t let slide. Having the gumption to face up to conflict to establish a secure learning environment is crucial.

2. Praise and positive reinforcement

I remember when I first started teaching, I would write the word “praise” in capital letters on a Post-it note and stick it on the screen of my laptop as a constant reminder to encourage pupils.

It’s often something I would overlook in the heat of powering through a lesson plan to actually stop and acknowledge individual students, especially during the early part of my career.

Yes, it’s important not to offer faint praise, but if someone answers a question, completes a task or even comes into the room in the right manner, a quiet and heartfelt “thank you” or “well done” can go a long way.

I recall that I once observed a secondary school MFL teacher who had a “star chart” on her wall and a box of “star tokens”. She would hand out these stars on a regular basis then add up the number of stars each student had on a wall chart, which would equate to merits.

I suppose it was a non-tech version of booster, a system used more extensively in primary schools. But the bottom line is, some praise and reward systems are very powerful in engaging otherwise disengaged students, providing an easy and effective way to build positive relationships with students.

3. Set tasks that are initially achievable

A lot has been written in education about “challenge” of late. As much as I absolutely agree that it is vital to push students academically, it’s my view that it’s also beneficial to offer students an opportunity to “get going” and, subsequently, a chance for you as teacher to build pupil confidence and self-esteem.

Sometimes setting tasks that are achieveable for students is one great way of doing this. The feeling of “getting something right” for a student, who rarely feels they do this, can be transformative in the short term.

4. Providing opportunities for independence

If the culture in a classroom is one in which students either rarely get things wrong, because answers are given, or where the teacher provides the answer too quickly whenever a student is stuck, then massive possibilities for confidence building are potentially missed.

By giving students the chance (at times) to learn for themselves, we can empower them and boost their self-esteem.

The best practice I have seen in this area is to have a “before you ask the teacher” poster displayed around the classroom with a set of rituals that each student needs to go through before engaging with the teacher. The 3B4ME poster is just one example:

• Brain – Think again about the task/question set
• Book – Look in the textbook or exercise book and re-check any example given
• Buddy – Ask a peer or consult a lead learner
• Boss – Ask the teacher for assistance

Setting smart lesson success criteria is also important. By ensuring students know what they have achieved and when, we give them a regular commentary on their own success.

5. Abandon all put-downs

“That’s a surprise coming from someone who…”

“I’ve never met anyone as ------- as you.”

“Surely you’re not going to break the habit of a lifetime and answer a question.”

Most teachers worth their salt understand that put-downs don’t produce results. However, on rare occasions, in the heat of the moment, I’ve seen teachers revert to them.

Unless you know a student really well, it’s best to avoid saying anything, even in jest, that might cause a feeling of alienation. Appearances can be deceptive; an apparently confident student who you think you know extremely well can have deep insecurities about particular issues that are completely hidden from all. One slapdash remark in haste can be remembered for a long, long time.

INSTILLING CREATIVITY WITHIN LEARNERS

Creativity is a big deal in the 21st century classroom. Many countries include it as a core aim for their students in national curricula and all the countries that come top of world education are recognising the need for more of it in their schools.

This surge of interest in creativity among teachers, school leaders, academics and governments is partly driven by a growing belief that a fast-paced global economy requires workers with the flexibility of mind to adapt to constant change rather than follow a traditional career path.

We live in a world where increasingly complex problems require creative solutions and where individuals’ lives can be enhanced by the greater sense of agency that comes with having opportunities to explore their own creativity.

Yet, surprisingly few teachers describe themselves as creative. This is perhaps because they have a performance-related, arts-based model of creativity in their minds, such as playing a musical instrument, painting a picture, acting a part in a play, writing a unique song, poem or story. This is in contrast to a broader definition of creativity as the ability to make connections between two previously unrelated ideas or contexts – what has been called “bisociation” by the Hungarian-British writer Arthur Koestler.

Let teachers be creative

They need to be given permission to innovate and improvise by school leaders, which is risky in a school culture structured around high-stakes testing. Once given this permission and support, teachers can develop creative learning environments for their students. This comprises both the physical environment of the classroom and a teaching environment with the following characteristics:

• students are given some control over their learning
• there is a balance between structure and freedom
• teachers are “playful”
• time is used flexibly
• relationships between teachers and learners include high expectations, mutual respect, modelling of creative attitudes, flexibility and dialogue
• students work collaboratively and assess each other

While each of these characteristics on its own might seem like a description of good teaching, it is their combination which creates the environment to promote creativity.

Two examples I uncovered during my career can help illustrate this. One teacher I observed in Somerset surprised his class by setting up a series of activities on their tables while they were out at break to introduce the topic of “gases”. These consisted of a candle burning, a series of plastic cups containing different numbers of marbles, and pairs of inflated and deflated balls.

The teacher gave no vocal instruction, but there were question cards with the activities, for example:

Watch the candle as it burns, what do you notice? Look at how the marbles are arranged, shake them, what is happening? Squeeze the two rugby balls, what can you say?

Initially bemused, groups of pupils soon began interacting with the exhibits and discussing their ideas. This unexpected start to the lesson – out of the normal routine – together with an invitation to look at everyday phenomena differently, provided the “hook” needed to engage children’s enthusiasm in a new scientific topic.

Abstract concepts, made fun

Another science co-ordinator at a South Gloucestershire primary school used stop-frame animation with plasticine models (like the Wallace and Gromit films) to help children understand forces in real-life situations. Working in groups of two or three, the children were asked to tell a story with their short animations that would involve everyday examples of forces in use.

Forces of nature. Ilike/www.shutterstock.com

One group of three girls shot a simple story of two boys having a fight “pushing each other over” and a dog jumping on top of them. They then annotated the resulting short movie on the computer with labels such as “push”, “pull”, “gravity” or “air resistance”. One child commented:

You can be more creative when you do animation, because you can design what you’re going to do, and you get to think things through, like what forces you’re going to use and how the forces work.

Not only did this experience help reinforce children’s understanding of the tricky and abstract conceptual area of forces, it also enabled them to exercise choice, make links with other areas of the curriculum and engage in critical reflection as they viewed the results of their work.

Examples such as these demonstrate how teachers’ own creativity and willingness to take risks can promote creativity in the way their students are learning. Such teaching for creativity is no laissez-faire, easy option – it requires careful preparation. As Thomas Edison said of genius, it’s “1% inspiration, 99% percent perspiration”.

Ways to Teach Creativity in the Classroom:

1. Open-Ended Projects: Teachers can encourage students to research a topic or question of their choosing. The students will be responsible for coming up with the topics, researching them and ultimately drawing their own educated conclusions. 

2. Passion Projects: Allotting a certain amount of class time for students to work on projects unrelated to the curriculum is important. Commonly called “genius hour,“ passion projects are implemented in the same manner as open-ended projects, only less frequently.

3. Classroom Collaboration/Team Building: Classroom collaboration can spur creative thinking and encourage the exchange of ideas. Putting students in groups for certain in-class assignments enables them to experience different perspectives while working towards a common goal. Teachers can even add a digital element to these groups by integrating social media.

4. Implementing Creative Arts: Teachers can have students create graphs in order to solve math problems or summarize historical events in poetic verse. Introducing the arts into the classroom can breathe new life into banal subjects.

5. Journaling: To spark creativity, students can write down their thoughts in journals. They can use their journals to jot down ideas during the school day or short stories during Genius Hour. Teachers can even assign free writing exercises in the beginning of class.

6. Brainstorming Sessions: As the flipped classroom model gains popularity, education is becoming less about dictation and more about guided instruction. Teachers can encourage in-class brainstorming sessions so that their students feel free to voice their opinions and ideas.

7. Unconventional Learning Materials: TED Talks videos and podcasts are a great way to bring outside voices into the classroom. Students can watch or listen to engaging 15 minute talks for homework and then have a provocative discussion about them in class the next day. These talks are bound to spark interesting insights from students, and they may be inspired to pursue a particular subject as a result.

8. Gamification: A study by Michigan State University recently found a correlation between students who play video games and higher levels of creativity. Implementing gamification in the classroom engages students in goal-oriented activities. There is no shortage of education-related video games from which teachers can choose.

9. Make Creativity a Grading Criteria: When grading student assignments, teachers should consider creativity. How original is the assignment? Did students express themselves, or were they just going through the motions? Teachers can take these questions into account to encourage more creativity from their students.

10. Encourage Risk-Taking: Students need to familiarize themselves with failure. They need to know not only that it is okay, but that failure is inevitable. Creativity takes courage and tenacity. Not every idea will work out or be a good one. But that’s all part of the creative process. To teach this important lesson, teachers can have students act out their own plays, or make short films about an important concept.

11. Use More Colors: Colors are often limited to elementary schools, but encouraging students to think about about new ways to use color breeds creativity in all walks of life, not just education. Implementing conversations about colors and how they’re used generates talk about moods and cultures as well as sciences and fine arts.

12. Hands-On Field Work: When the opportunity presents itself, teachers can get students out of the classroom and show students that the real world is the ultimate classroom. Field trips allow students to better visualize the concepts they learn in the classroom, and can foster creativity as they think about ways to apply course concepts to the world around them.

13. Involve Students in the Teaching: Teachers can have students come up with some of the questions on quizzes or create captivating lesson plans to further involve them in the education process. Pairing up struggling students with students who excel; for the students who do the teaching, the teaching fosters creativity as they develop new ways to present the material.

14. Utilize Visualizations: The use of infographics can help students better understand concepts, while mind mapping can optimize both the creative process and the learning process.

15. Play Music: Music can be invigorating and inspirational. Why not bring it into the classroom? While research concerning the “Mozart Effect” is inconclusive, implementing music in the classroom can be a great way to inspire students, help them visualize using their mind’s eye and encourage multi-sensory learning.

16. Virtual Reality: Virtual Reality is a great way to help students visualize environments and events they won’t realistically be able to access. And while the cost of integrating virtual reality into the classroom can be expensive, Google is now offering its VR system to schools for free.

17. Torrance Tasks: Teachers can gauge student creativity by using Torrance Tasks. A simple one is to present an object, such as a tin can, and have students list all the different ways it can be used. This encourages them to think creatively about the world around them.

18. Go International (while staying local): Odyssey of the Mind is an international education program that stresses long-term problem solving and creative solutions. Throughout the academic year, students compete with peers from around the world until the program culminates in the annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.

19. Allow Freedom of Movement: Do away with the seating charts. Allow students to move freely throughout the classroom space. Provide quiet or sectioned-off areas for deep thinking, as well as spaces for students who want to collaborate. When students are free to flow within the classroom, their creativity will follow suit.

20. Create a Flexible Classroom: Having flexible classroom layout breeds physical and mental wiggle room, when your body can move, so does your mind. Digital classrooms and flipped classrooms provide students access to internet-based learning within an educational environment. Teachers can use solutions like LiveTiles Mosaic, which is offered free to grades K-12, to further involve their students and have them play a part in the digital classroom design.

Mosaic is an intuitive no-code solution that allows users to simply drag and drop respective tiles into place in order to create an education space. As the screen shot below illustrates, the tiles vary in function, from social media tiles to calendar tiles to video and image tiles. Involving students in the creation of their digital classroom encourages creativity as they decide ways to make the learning process more engaging.

INSTILLING COMPASSION WITHIN LEARNERS

How do children learn to care?

The answer isn’t as complex as it might seem. Like many college students who became committed to social and environmental causes, I heard someone saying...“I could see how much people were hurting there and how they appreciated our presence. Learning compassion for people I didn’t know is something that’s stuck with me.”

Developing compassion in elementary and middle school-aged children is akin to developing muscle strength. The more you use your muscles, the stronger they get. Children learn compassion through many experiences, including caring for the family pet. But children who participate in programs that teach kindness, respect, empathy, and compassion and who have families that reinforce those strengths at home develop the muscles they need to become civically-engaged adolescents and adults. During the teen years, they reach deep within themselves, access these muscles, and develop social and civic identities that last a lifetime.

Regarded as one of the greatest human virtues by all major religious traditions, compassion is an emotional response and attitude toward others that is deeply empathetic. It enables us to connect to human suffering with care and understanding, acting in ways that brings comfort to those around us. Compassion causes us to remain charitable, even if others behave negatively. Research shows that compassion plays a key role in helping children develop into engaged, caring, and optimistic adults.

Children Practice Compassion Through Involvement

Research on the positive effect of class projects and after-school activities that develop compassion continues to grow. Scouts, church groups, and programs like GenerationOn’s Kids and Teens Service Clubs provide excellent ways for children to learn skills and practice compassion in their communities. Resources abound for adult leaders and classroom teachers to help implement meaningful hands-on service projects, locally, nationally, and globally.

We should help inspire and mobilize children to use their energy, ingenuity and compassion to make their mark on the world by doing small acts that develop their compassionate muscles. We should also make use of many resources which are available for download including projects focused on the environment, animals, homelessness, hunger, literacy, and seniors. I encourage you to access this material and help your child, classroom, or after-school groups transform compassion into action to benefit others.

Three Ways to Instill Compassion at Home

Developing compassion in children involves all adults stepping up to do their parts – families, teachers, clergy, and community leaders. But we know from research that one of the most important places that compassion is learned is in the home. In Tomorrow’s Change Makers: Reclaiming the Power of Citizenship for a New Generation, college students like Danielle, said their parents instilled compassion at home, an inner strength that guided their actions as they became teenagers. Ways families instill compassion include:

1. Provide Opportunities to Practice Compassion

Compassion cannot be learned by talking about it. Children must practice compassion in their daily lives. Difficult encounters with family members, classmates, and friends present opportunities for kids to put themselves in another’s shoes – to practice empathy. They also learn compassion when they practice giving without the need to gain anything in return, when they are with people or animals who are suffering, and when they experience the internal reward of feeling appreciated.

2. Help Children Understand and Cope with Anger

Anger is one of the greatest hindrances to compassion because it can overwhelm children’s minds and spirit. Yet there are times when anger yields energy and determination. The Dalai Lama, in his article Compassion and the Individual, suggests we investigate the value of our anger. We can help children by asking how their anger will help solve a problem or make their lives happier. We can help them see both the positive and negative sides of anger, and how holding onto anger leads to unreliable and destructive outcomes.

3. Teach Children to Self-Regulate

Antidotes to anger come through compassion and self-regulation, the ability to stop or delay an action rather than behaving impulsively. Children should understand that regulating their anger is not a sign of weakness. Instead, a compassionate attitude is an internal strength. Praise children when they regulate themselves, making sure they understand the power of their calmness and patience. Always encourage elementary and middle school children to talk about their anger with a supportive adult. Teaching compassion doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to aggression in others. We all know that children get bullied and are often not treated fairly by peers. If remaining calm only encourages more aggression, then we must also help children take a strong stand without retaliatory anger.

4. Walk the Talk

Children may listen to your words, but more importantly, they learn from observing your actions. When you have a chance to practice a random act of compassion, do so! When you are frustrated in an interpersonal interaction, express your displeasure in words that show respect for the dignity of the person you are addressing. When you encounter a person who needs help, stop what you are doing and tend to them, even (read: especially!) if it is not particularly convenient to do so. Remember: opportunities to show compassion do not occur by appointment. Show young people that anytime is the right time to engage in acts of service and compassion for others.

5. Put the Child on the Receiving End of Compassion

While showing compassion to others is a top way to teach this value to a child, allowing a young person to experience compassion first-hand is even more impactful. When your child is hurt or sick, be sure to provide abundant TLCC (tender, loving, compassionate care.) It may sound obvious, but tending to a child when he is feeling down or under the weather is the best way to teach him how to show compassion to others.

6. Talk the Talk

Most children can learn about true compassion by seeing and feeling this trait acted out, but when parents talk explicitly about acts of compassion, they communicate its importance as a prized family value. As you watch television or movies with your child, be sure to point out instances where compassion was shown — or should have been shown! Talk about people who particularly need compassion, such as the elderly and children living in poverty.

7. Volunteer Your Time

When children become actively involved in acts of showing compassion to others, they learn about this value in a very deep and enduring way. Find age-appropriate ways to introduce your child to volunteering, such as visiting a nursing home and sharing a craft activity with a resident, serving a meal at a homeless shelter, helping to organize a canned food drive, collecting coats to donate to needy children, or even participating in a charity walk for a specific cause. These activities are at once meaningful and fun, which makes them especially effective in getting kids to routinely think compassionately about the needs of others.

8. Care for a Pet

Bringing a pet into a family is certainly not a step to be taken lightly or impulsively, but it is worth giving serious consideration to providing your young person with the experience of caring for an animal, as a way to foster compassion. Children who care for pets learn important values such as responsibility, unconditional love, empathy, and compassion for all living things.

9. Read All About It

Children’s books are great for providing a window into the experiences of others. As a School Counselor, my go-to children’s writer is Trudy Ludwig, the award-winning author of such books as My Secret Bully (my all-time favorite pick for sparking conversations with kids about bullying and relational aggression) and The Invisible Boy, a great read for inspiring empathy and compassion for young people who find themselves on the periphery of school social hierarchies. For older kids, check out biographies of famous figureheads of compassion, such as the Dalai Lama or Mother Theresa.

10. Compassion It

In recent years, rubber wristbands have become a ubiquitous symbol of causes and concerns. While most of the messages are positive and inspiring, I must admit that their sheer common-ness resulted in me stopping reading the various messages on friends’ wrists. Until recently. I noticed a two-tone band that a relative was turning over and felt compelled to ask about it. It was a Compassion It band, she explained. Every morning, she puts the band on her wrist with its black side facing outward, as a personal reminder to act compassionately toward someone else. When such an act is committed each day, she turns the bracelet to its white side.

What a great idea — so simple, yet such a powerful reminder to prioritize kindness and make compassion a part of her everyday routine. Needless to say, I went online and bought a band for myself and one for each of my daughters right away. Does this turn compassion into a chore, you may ask. Am I making kindness into a To-Do list item for my kids, you wonder. Nope, not at all, I say with confidence. Quite the contrary: the bands have turned compassion into an everyday topic of conversation in our household and has effectively elevated kindness into a priority in each of our days. Best. Bracelet. Ever.

11. Make a Wish

Acts of life-changing compassion can be only a click away. Use the internet to introduce your child to different charitable organizations that provide compassionate assistance to others. The Make-a-Wish Foundation provides hope, strength, and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. While for younger kids, the site may be too heart-wrenching or scary, older kids can have a truly impactful experience of being able to provide tangible help and joy to a peer. The experience can be life-changing for both giver and receiver.

Inspiring a spirit of volunteering in elementary and middle school helps kids develop their compassionate muscles – muscles they will use over and over again as they reach adolescence and adulthood. Once you help your children begin this process, make sure they get lots of practice month after month. The world can never get too much compassion!

If such kind of Holistic education is is catered to learners then each learner would find identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world, with humanitarian values such as courage compassion and win this world through Creativity.

Let us strive for it....Awaiting..to hear from you!!!