How to Foster Empathy in Your Child

Empathy is an important skill to have, and it’s one that doesn’t always come to us naturally. Children especially struggle with not only seeing the world from another’s perspective, but also acting in ways that show they care. Fortunately, there are ways you can help. Here are tips for helping children in different age groups develop empathy: 

Elementary-Aged Children

The best thing you can do to help your younger child become more empathetic is to model the behavior. Show them what empathy can look like and how they can use it in their own lives. Demonstrate kindness and understanding in daily interactions with your child. Talk about how you considered the other person’s perspective and feelings before taking action. 

Point out examples in media, after watching a movie or reading a book together. Seeing empathy and its impacts in various situations will help your child understand how important it is. When your child demonstrates empathy, recognize it by praising them and letting them know what they did right. 

Pre-Teens

While young children have a rudimentary understanding of feelings, pre-teens might be ready to have deeper conversations about them. Now is a good time to start talking about the more complicated emotions they find themselves feeling and how to navigate them. Watch age-appropriate movies or news together and analyze characters’ motives and feelings. Talk about how they relate to real-life situations. 

This is a good time to talk about bullying, too, and how your child can stand up for others. Another way to help your pre-teen become more empathetic is through age-appropriate volunteer opportunities. After the volunteering experience, ask how they feel, and talk about how their actions have impacted others. 

Teens

The teenage years build the foundation for self-discovery and identity, so they are crucial for conversations about empathy. When your teen expresses distress about someone else’s behavior, challenge them to consider the other person’s side. Help them navigate situations where empathy and peer pressure conflict, like when a peer they don’t like is being bullied. Discuss personal values and how empathy fits into their identity.

Teens are beginning to gain the ability to form their own communities. Encourage them to advocate for causes they care about through volunteering and activism, as well as participating in diverse groups where they can meet people from different backgrounds. Maintain an open dialogue with them about their experiences, being vulnerable in expressing how you have struggled with the same things. It’s not always easy to be empathetic—tell them that you understand and that it’s normal when you see them having trouble. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we hope to help children and teens become the best versions of themselves. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

5 Healthy Habits to Encourage This Summer

Summer is here, and school is out! Suddenly, you’re seeing a lot more of your child, and they’re adjusting to not having a structured routine. Now is the perfect time to start building better habits. With more time on their hands, your child can focus on making the most of summer break by being healthy. Here are some habits you can work on as a family this summer: 

Staying Hydrated

It’s always important to stay hydrated, but it’s even more important during the summer. Make drinking water a priority for the whole family. Emphasize the need for increased fluid intake in hot weather. If your child struggles to drink enough water, suggest fun ways to drink more, like infusing it with fruit or mixing in electrolyte powder. Make sure everyone in the family has a reusable water bottle. Your child may even enjoy decorating their water bottle with waterproof stickers to make it feel like their own

Incorporating Outdoor Activity

Another way the family can focus on their health this summer is through outdoor activity. Getting plenty of fresh air and sunlight is linked to improved moods and better sleep, which benefits both our physical and mental well-being. Exercise provides its own list of benefits for the mind and body. Make time this summer for participating in physical activity together, whether it’s taking walks in nature, swimming in the pool or running on the beach. Always wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water! 

Eating Whole, Fresh Foods

Often, we turn to processed foods because they're inexpensive and convenient. Unfortunately, it’s not the healthiest option. Look for ways to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet this summer. Consider going to the farmer’s market to find in-season produce so you can get the freshest options. Put together or buy some fruit salads, and find new ways to cook vegetables so they will appeal to everyone (hint: try roasting them!).

Prioritizing Rest and Sleep

When school is in session, children and teens have set wake-up and wind-down times each day. Over summer break, many children lack this structure, which can affect their sleep patterns. Find a routine that works for your whole family, even if that means different wake-up times for different family members. The goal is to ensure everyone gets plenty of sleep each night, even during the exciting summer season. Talk with the family about being respectful of everyone’s schedules and letting each other sleep. Encourage looking away from screens for at least one hour before bed to support a healthy bedtime routine. 

Practicing Sun Safety

Sun safety is one of the most important health considerations to make during the summertime. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to sunburn in the short term and skin cancer in the long term. If you’re going outside during the day, especially during peak hours, here are some steps you can take to stay safe:

• Wear a hat and sunglasses

• Put on sunscreen, reapplying as needed

• Look for shady spots

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we always encourage students to practice healthy habits. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

Making Goals for a More Mindful New Year

New Year’s Resolutions are a time-honored tradition, but they’re also notoriously difficult to achieve. Rather than making a checklist of things you think you’re supposed to do in a year, consider setting mindful goals that focus on improving your life and the lives of others. Here are some ways you can make more mindful goals for the year ahead: 

Focus on Personal Development

One reason New Year’s Resolutions often fall to the wayside is that they’re focused on image. Consider setting goals for yourself that start from within. Commit to taking an hour to yourself each day. Whether you spend that time in the gym or in the living room, spend it doing what you want to do and prioritize self care. If you need something more specific, set a goal for a number of books to read or a new skill to learn. 

Consider Setting Academic Goals

School is a big part of life, but it can be hard to make it a priority when you have a lot going on outside the classroom. This coming year, look at ways to improve your time management skills, like blocking out certain hours of the day to work undisturbed on homework and studying. Set realistic goals for leveling up your knowledge in subjects you struggle with. One of the best ways you can help yourself academically is remembering to ask for help when you need it. If you make no other academic goals for the new year, make this your goal. 

Seek Better Connections with Others

Getting through life is always easier when you have strong relationships with others. Look into ways you can strengthen your current friendships and family bonds. Send cards for birthdays and holidays. Check in on friends and family you don’t see often. If you feel like you want to expand your network, look for opportunities to make new connections and find new friends. We can always find more ways to form meaningful connections with those around us. 

Tips for Achieving Mindful Goals

Now, you have your goals in mind. Your next step is figuring out how to make them happen. With a little bit of planning and consistent work, you can accomplish your goals. Here are a few tips: 

• Break each goal down into smaller, manageable tasks.

• Keep a journal or planner to track your progress.

• Stay motivated, and focused on the bigger picture. Why do you want to reach these goals, and how will they improve your life? 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we always encourage students to aim high and work hard to reach their goals. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

How to Help Your Child During Hard Times

In a perfect world, children wouldn’t have to deal with stressful situations. However, there will be times when your child struggles to cope with what’s going on around them. Whether they find themselves in an unhealthy social environment or dealing with personal challenges, they will likely need help getting by. That’s where you can come in. While you can’t make the situation go away, you can help your child through it. Here are some tips. 

Recognizing Signs of Distress

It can be hard to tell if your child is experiencing everyday stress or if something deeper is going on. If you’re starting to feel like you don’t know your child anymore, that’s a sign that something is getting them down. Look for changes in behavior and mood. See if your child is having trouble sleeping or eating properly. When children become more withdrawn, it’s often because they’re dealing with hard feelings and don’t want to be a burden. 

Helping Your Child Process Emotions

Your child may be dealing with big emotions they’re not used to for the first time, and that can be scary. The best way to support them in this time is through open communication. Let them know that their feelings are valid, even if you don’t understand them. Make it clear that you’ll be there when they’re ready to process their feelings. 

Sometimes, children need professional help, especially if they’ve been through something traumatic, like a divorce or a natural disaster. There’s nothing wrong with seeking the help of a counselor, and it can greatly benefit a child’s mental health. 

Teaching Your Child Coping Mechanisms

Even if you wish you could be, you won’t always be there when your child goes through a tough time. Take time to teach your child about healthy coping mechanisms so they can eventually be independent. When you see your child taking healthy actions, like taking a deep breath before speaking with anger, let them know they did a good job. Along with in-the-moment actions, self care can go a long way toward feeling better. Exercising, taking showers and brushing their teeth can help your child feel in control and feel better overall. 

Setting a Positive Example

If you want your child to know how to manage during hard times, show them. Focus on managing your own stress and emotions in a healthy manner. Use the coping skills you’re teaching your child. And when you fall on hard times, take care of yourself, and seek support when you need it. Children learn best when they have positive role models to follow. 

At NTCA, we know that being a child or teen isn’t always easy. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

5 Ideas for Serving the Community During the Holidays

There’s no better time to give back than during the holidays. Finding ways to serve the community during this joyous time of year can bring your family closer together while helping those in need. Despite your good intentions, you may not know how to help others during the holidays. Here are some ideas of easy ways to serve the community this upcoming season:

Volunteer at a local food pantry or soup kitchen.

When you think of feeding others for the holidays, the first thing that comes to mind is cooking for the family. However, some people need extra help to get their holiday dinner. Volunteering at a local food pantry or soup kitchen is a great way to give back as a family. In volunteering, “the more, the merrier” always rings true.

Adopt a family in need for the holidays.

Many charity organizations have an “Adopt-a-family” program, where you can help a family in need by buying the items on their wishlists. These programs ensure that parents who otherwise would not be able to afford gifts could spread holiday joy to their children. This can be a morale boost during a time that can be difficult for struggling families. It also allows your family to feel good about helping others. 

Make holiday cards for nursing home residents.

Nursing homes can be lonely places, especially during the holidays. Creating homemade holiday cards for nursing home residents can bring them joy, letting them know someone is thinking of them. Start by finding out where you can send the cards, then get to crafting. Make a day of putting together cards as a family, writing nice messages and, if you have an artist in the family, allowing them to give the cards a creative touch. 

Organize a neighborhood cleanup.

One way to give back to the community is to clean it up. Get some neighbors together to clean up the neighborhood. Make it fun by encouraging everyone to dress festively but comfortably. Figure out a weekend day that will work for most people, and post some flyers around the neighborhood. Then, when the time comes, buy some gloves and trash bags, and get to work making your neighborhood a more beautiful place. Getting everyone involved will help bring the community together and help everyone appreciate the place they live even more. 

Donate toys and clothes to a local shelter or charity.

Children of all ages have toys and clothes they love for a while that eventually lie forgotten. If they’re still in good condition when this happens, you may consider donating these items to charity. There will always be children in need who will enjoy new clothes and toys like your child once did. Help your child decide which items they’re willing to sacrifice. Put out a “to keep” box and a “to donate” box so they see that they’re not giving everything up, only the things that no longer mean as much to them. It will all be worth it to make another child smile this holiday season. 

As the holiday season quickly approaches, take some time to plan out activities you and the family can do for the community. At NTCA, spreading God’s love through acts of service is part of the curriculum. Students at our Tampa Christian school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.