[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3wyCxHtGd0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
Daniel Goleman, internationally recognized for his insights about Emotional Intelligence talks about how new field of social neuroscience shows that we are wired to connect. The difference between whether or not we actually act on that natural instinct to help depends on whether we are focused on ourselves or others.
One of the most profound steps that parents can take to help their children foster this natural tendency towards empathy and compassion is to eliminate all use of rewards (including praise) and punishment. Reward and punishment encourage children to become selfish, with either "what's in it for me" or "what's will happen to me" kind of thinking.
Instead, help your child focus on the other by talking about what is happening for the other person, in addition to offering empathy to your child, consistently and with wild abandon.
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