Let’s End the Me-First Mentality: We Need to Foster Empathy in Children More Than Ever

Be an example to your child.

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“We are living in an age where loneliness is rampant, empathy is scarce, and the me-first mentality dominates. This has to change now.” -Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The need for empathy has never been greater than it is today. We live in a time when empathy declines, and with it goes any sense of community or connection with one another.

It’s time for parents, educators, and especially children to be more aware of what we can do to foster this resourceful quality before it’s too late.

As parents and educators, we play a pivotal role in shaping future generations by teaching them how to care for themselves and others. And if children are not taught empathy at home or school, they will likely learn it from the media.

There are many ways to foster empathy in both children and adults. One way is to model compassion yourself. Be aware of your feelings and needs, and also be mindful of the feelings and needs of others. Pay attention to the body language a…