Why Patience and Empathy Are the Cornerstones of Child Development Support

For young children to grow and develop properly, parents and guardians need to give their kids more than just basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. Not that the basic needs are not necessary, but children also need a safe environment where they can grow emotionally, psychologically and socially.

Hence, parents should care and provide for their children beyond their basic needs. 
Children raised with love and empathy can become better versions of themselves in the future and also assist others to do the same. 

 

Understanding Child Development

The growth and development of a child is more than the physical aspect. It also involves emotional, cultural, and psychological growth. A child’s growth follows a certain order which includes infancy to being a toddler, and then adolescence to adulthood. 

 

For an adult to function properly in their daily life activities and relationships with others, the way they were raised has a huge impact. Children who are raised in hostile environments may struggle to cope as adults and instead withdraw into themselves. 

 

In fact, kids exposed to harsh parenting from guardians or parents at the age of 3 are up to 1.5 times more likely to have high-risk mental health challenges. 

 

For a child to become a great adult in the future, parents must put in a lot of work at every stage of the child’s growth and development.

 

Why Patience and Empathy Are Important for Child Development 

Here are some of the reasons why patience and empathy are necessary for a child’s development and growth:

1.    Builds Healthy Relationships 

Patience and empathy are the qualities that will help a growing child to develop good relationships with other children. With empathy, kids can learn how to trust and work in the company of other children in the society. 

2.    Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Children might be stressed or have anxiety resulting from their school activities, plays, and relationships with other children. Some might even be bullied. Thus, parents need to handle them with maturity. 

This helps the children to open up to their parent, and the parents in turn encourage and even stand up for them where necessary thereby reducing their kids’ anxiety and stress level.  

 

Sometimes, a parent needs to be patient to understand the reason for their child's behavior and then show empathy in offering the best solutions. If the behavior seems to worsen, consult a professional behavioral therapy such as those at Healing Uniquely Gifted Souls (HUGS) to assist them before the issue gets out of hand. 

3.    Encourages Emotional Balance

Patience is an important quality necessary in child development because this will teach kids how to manage their emotions no matter the situation. By learning how to handle their emotions, they do not act impulsively and instead take opportunities that come their way as a learning curve.

 

4.    Promotes Emotional Intelligence

When dealing with young children and teenagers, it is paramount for parents to have patience and empathy. Children are easily discouraged and when they are scared of their parents or teachers, they can withdraw into themselves and this will affect their emotions. 

 

For children to grow and learn how to communicate their emotions properly, parents have to guide them and in doing so, it helps to promote emotional intelligence.

 

How You Apply Patience and Empathy to Your Children in Real-Life Experiences 

The family is the first social network of children and it is where real-life lessons are best acquired. 

 

At home, parents should provide a secure environment for their young children and this will allow them to trust and confide in their parents in the face of any problems. 

 

Parents or guardians should learn to approach and solve any crises with their children with a gentle and soothing voice. They can also provide an environment where the children are given space to make mistakes and in turn, they can correct them in love and patience.

 

At school, teachers can create a learning environment that is friendly and inclusive to all the children and also accept that they all learn at a different pace. The teacher should also create classroom culture where students treat each other with respect. The children can also learn empathy through discussions and engaging in various activities which exclude nobody.

 

Implications of Absence of Patience and Empathy in Child Development Support

When patience and empathy are lacking in child development it may result in the following consequences:

•    Lack of Self-Esteem

When there is an absence of patience and empathy in child development, it may lead to a lack of self-esteem in young children. The child starts to feel unseen, unheard and not important in any space they find themselves, even as they grow older.

 

•    Lack of Trust

Children who do not develop these qualities in their developmental stage, tend to develop a lack of trust. They become withdrawn and cannot open up to their parents or guardians. As they grow older, they bring this vice into their relationships which may lead to other problems.

 

•    Fear of Failure

Children who are raised with a lack of empathy and patience may develop a fear of failure. They become stressed and put themselves under pressure when handling any task. As older individuals, they do not see themselves as being good enough and this can cause havoc in every aspect of their lives.

 

•    Being Socially Withdrawn

The absence of patience and empathy in child development may affect the child's ability to communicate and form good relationships with their peers. The child would be unable to thrive in social circles and may not be able to develop social skills which are necessary for building lasting relationships. 

 

Like the popular saying, "children are the future of tomorrow", parents have to understand the need to raise responsible children not just in academics but in every sphere of life. And this will definitely take a lot of patience and empathy…