“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

Kindness is the pathway to empathy. In short, empathy is the ability to intellectually identify with or vicariously experience the emotions and thoughts of others. It can be a powerful skill and a lifelong tool for healthy relationships or simple daily interactions.

We tell the kids, “You never know what that little bit of kindness will mean to someone’s day.”

Empathy helps you understand your loved ones and pick your battles, which is particularly good in managing stress as well. But it can be a complex character trait to understand as a kid, so we focus on kindness.Kids can understand kindness. They know it when they see it and feel it. The trick is teaching them to demonstrate it. by Meg Jordan

These simple ideas teach your children to be nice, generous people, one good deed at a time. "Helping feels good because it's nice for the other person and for you."

Work as a Team

Make helping a family affair

Share the wealth

Hug a Tree

Recycle

The Art of Pitching In

Assign chores.

Teach teamwork.

Perform small acts of kindness.

Look on the Bright Side

Give your kids rose-colored glasses.

Don't criticize their efforts.

Do Unto Others...

Lighten someone's load.

Cheer up a stranger (or a friend).

Do something that's above and beyond the call of duty.

Give thanks.

Be a good neighbour.

to read full article,

http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/14-little-ways-to-encourage-kindness/

October 2007 issue of Parents magazine.