Three Prosocial Behaviors You Would Want to Teach Young Children
Prosocial behaviors refer to acts done to benefit others for reasons other than personal gain. Children show these when sharing with others, cooperating, taking turns or being there for a friend in need. Selflessly helping others is typically a learned behavior. Parents who demonstrate prosocial behaviors lead by example 2. Children may learn about helping others through religious or other group studies. Schools provide a community environment that is ideal for encouraging and modeling prosocial behaviors.
Empathy
Every child is born with the same capacity for empathy. How it develops depends on the environment. Responsive parents are more likely to have children who develop prosocial behaviors themselves. Encourage children to think about how others feel and put themselves in their shoes. Talk about what it would feel like to lose a parent, be in a wheelchair, or move into a new house. Understanding what it is like to be different helps children know how to make it easier for others. Empathy helps build understanding and knowledge that they, too, may need help from others one day.
- Every child is born with the same capacity for empathy.
- Empathy helps build understanding and knowledge that they, too, may need help from others one day.
Moral Values
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Moral values dictate what is right and wrong. A child with strong moral values may recognize a wrong and be more likely to act to make it right. Religious studies can be a factor for learning morals since religion is often an area of study where right and wrong behaviors are discussed with consequences attached. Religion isn’t the only source of moral values. Expectations for prosocial behavior by parents and teachers instill moral values and influence how a child treats siblings, elders, teachers and peers.
- Moral values dictate what is right and wrong.
- Religious studies can be a factor for learning morals since religion is often an area of study where right and wrong behaviors are discussed with consequences attached.
Personal Responsibility
The might of one person is a powerful lesson for a child. Learning that his actions can affect a community, positively or negatively, can open a child’s eyes to his influence. If he ignores Johnny's being bullied on the playground, nothing changes. If he pulls a teacher aside and mentions it, the bullying may stop. Taking responsibility for surrounding actions is a big leap in prosocial behaviors, but also one of the smallest. A side comment to the teacher, a hand on the shoulder of a friend in pain. These small gestures can make a difference in someone’s life. It may take years to understand the power of one.
- The might of one person is a powerful lesson for a child.
- A side comment to the teacher, a hand on the shoulder of a friend in pain.
Other Tips
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Children learn by example and experience. Show them altruistic behavior and give them a chance to show it. Let them help younger siblings or classmates by being a mentor. Help them collect funds for a donation drive at their school. Threats or punishment can be effective to keep negative behavior in check, but will not promote prosocial behaviors. Discussing positive behaviors, having clear expectations and modeling are the most effective for encouraging children to do more for others without a thought to themselves.
- Children learn by example and experience.
- Discussing positive behaviors, having clear expectations and modeling are the most effective for encouraging children to do more for others without a thought to themselves.
Related Articles
References
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development: Promoting Adolescents' Prosocial Behavior
- PBS: The Meaning and Importance of Pro-Social Behavior
- Raposa EB, Laws HB, Ansell EB. Prosocial behavior mitigates the negative effects of stress in everyday life. Clin Psychol Sci. 2016;4(4):691-698. doi:10.1177/2167702615611073
- American Psychological Association. Manage stress: Strengthen your support network. Updated October 2019.
- Dunfield KA. A construct divided: Prosocial behavior as helping, sharing, and comforting subtypes. Front Psychol. 2014;5:958. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00958
- Silk JB, House BR. The evolution of altruistic social preferences in human groups. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2016;371(1687):20150097. doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0097
- Waugh W, Brownell C, Pollock B. Early socialization of prosocial behavior: Patterns in parents' encouragement of toddlers' helping in an everyday household task. Infant Behav Dev. 2015;39:1-10. doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2014.12.010
- Tsvetkova M, Macy MW. The social contagion of generosity. PLoS One. 2014;9(2):e87275. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0087275
Writer Bio
Alice Drinkworth has been a writer and journalist since 1995. She has written for community newspapers, college magazines and Salon.com. Drinkworth earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and won a media award for her in-depth coverage of local politics. She is also a certified master gardener.