New Classes Teach Kids How to Be Nice

(Los Angeles - April 7, 2009) - Scarsdale Middle School is teaching empathy classes this year in school in hopes that classmates will be nicer to one another. Is this a good idea? Psychologist Dr. Cara Gardenswartz weighs in.



Clinical psychologist Dr. Cara Gardenswartz, Ph.D: I am a firm believer in having schools promote empathy and social learning. Given that children spend more than half of their waking time in school, it is extremely important that they learn not only academics, but also how to be good citizens of the world.



In doing so, schools can help children achieve their full human potential. Ideally, schools would have twice-weekly periods on emotional and social issues. In some schools, such periods are called "Life Skills." Life skills include:



Using good judgement

Patience

Responsibility--taking initiative, being accountable

Flexibility--being able to adapt

Effort--doing one's personal best

Problem-solving--creating solutions for challenging situations

Interpersonal skills--respect, caring for others, cooperating, and making friends

Tolerance--recognizing and respecting other points of view and understanding different kinds of families (divorced, gay, single parent, bi-racial)



Empathy is a running theme throughout this type of programming.



At the very least, schools should have programming to include conflict resolution, and anti-bullying. Ideally, there would also be a time during school for community or class meetings in which every student has a voice and every student learns to listen actively to others.



Life skills programs decrease conflict in school, and promote less conflict outside of school, and hopefully even counter some of the negative consequences of the conflict that children may experience at home.



Tips for moms to raise a nicer child:



- Be kind to your child. Use gentle voices. Model kindness (verbally and behaviorally) toward other family members and people in your community. Show physical affection.



- When you see someone being unkind, point it out to your child and talk about other ways the person can act. When your child is unkind, ask them why and come up with alternatives together.



- Admit when you are wrong.



- Be consistent in your parenting and enforce consequences. Setting limits with your child will lead to a less self-centered child, and also promote ...