We don’t always know…

Image by Hans Kretzmann from Pixabay

I still cannot understand how he could abandon me so unceremoniously, without any sort of goodbye, without looking back even once.

— Yann Martel, Life of Pi

We really don’t know what others are going through. Life is not easy, and for some children additional challenges present barriers to success… barriers to social engagement… barriers to happiness.

Image by Myriam Zilles from Pixabay

I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me.

— Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis

We need to help our children develop empathy toward others. We need to help them see that they should show kindness in all of their actions.We need to help them connect to each other… to their community… to become a unified team for good. We need to help them see that bullying others cannot be tolerated. Whether in person… in school… at home… in their communities… at play… or online. Where ever they are… where ever they interact with others, they must share kindness and empathy.

As educators and parents, we need to teach kindness and empathy, but more importantly, we need to model those behaviours. Every day. In every way.

Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

Incorporating kindness and empathy into digital activities will help our youth develop better digital habits, and help them to become better, more productive digital citizens. And helping them to become good digital citizens… good citizens in general… will help them find happy, healthy lives.

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References

Kretzman, H. (N.D.) Child sitting in jeans in the door, crying. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/child-sitting-jeans-in-the-door-cry-1816400/)

Zilles, M. (N.D.) Boy child, sad alone, sitting. [Digital Image]. Retreived from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/boy-child-sad-alone-sit-1637188/).

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