Teaching Children to Support Their Peers in Times of Failure

by Blog Contributor | September 19, 2023 | Childhood Learning, children’s book | 0 Comments

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Humans need one another to provide comfort and a boost when times get rough – the same goes with children.

Regardless of age, people need to support their peers from time to time. There may be moments that none of us can get by due to life’s challenges. Such is the case for children as well. We might be surprised by this, but our kids struggle too. However, there are instances where they can’t tell us anything like how they open up to their peers. That’s when their empathetic skills are put to the test.

The book The Song of Solomon the Snail is a good way to learn how kids can accept failure and deal with it positively. Parents who read this book with their kids will not only share a deeper bond, but they will also pick up good traits. Teaching children empathy and understanding is a crucial aspect of their social and emotional development. Empathy helps them relate to and support their peers in times of failure, creating a more compassionate and inclusive community.

Steps to Teach Children So They Can Support Their Peers

It’s already a no-brainer for parents to be a model example of empathy. However, their children can embody the same trait to support their peers when they’re the ones struggling in life. Childhood friendships are beautiful, and their kind hearts towards their friends are worth admiring and emulating.

Here are examples on what you can teach your child so they can actively support their peers during tough times:

Active Listening

Ensure that your children understand that listening to their friend’s problems often does not include giving unsolicited advice. Encourage them to listen mindfully when their peers are sharing their feelings and experiences. That way, they can better understand their friends’ perspectives and empathize when needed.

Using Books and Stories

Reading books and stories like The Song of Solomon the Snail that explore empathy and understanding can be a powerful tool. Discuss the characters’ emotions and actions to help children relate these concepts to real-life situations. The end result will be a wise and emotionally intelligent child that has picked up good social etiquette in the appropriate situations.

Teaching How to Communicate Openly

Even as adults, it can be a struggle for us to openly communicate, regardless if other find it easy. For your child to effectively support their peers, set the stage by giving them assurance. They must feel safety with you first, knowing that as a parent, you’re someone they can confide in. Moreover, kids have better means to support their peers in times when they’re the ones needing a little push.

Practical Problem-Solving Skills

For children to openly support their peers, they must be ready to come up with solutions to comfort their friends. In this case, that doesn’t mean providing concrete ways to solve their friend’s issues. It also involves plainly listening (see “Active Listening”) with the intention to empathize and understand. Sometimes, people already know what to do and they just need someone to listen to them. However, if your child’s friends ask for advice, that’s their turn to offer one.

Celebrate Effort

Humans thrive on being celebrated, and your children should experience that early on. That way, they can emulate the ability to celebrate others’ efforts and growth, especially the latter. Teach your children that sometimes, the effort that was put in matters more than the outcome. Moreover, praise and reinforce acts of empathy and understanding. When children demonstrate kindness and support toward their peers, acknowledge and reward their behavior.

Emphasizing Similarities and Differences

Help children see the similarities they share with their peers, as well as the differences that make each person unique. Everyone faces challenges and setbacks at some point. So for kids to support their peers, they can provide comfort by them sharing similar experiences to give their friend a different perspective on the matter.

On another note, just because you have a similar struggle with someone, that doesn’t mean it can automatically comfort someone. Your kids need to realize that the bottomline of being able to support their peers is when they make time for their friends.

Discuss Real-World Examples

Share real-world examples of people who have shown empathy and made a positive impact on others’ lives. This can inspire children to do the same. Real world examples of emotional growth can also be found in the book The Song of Solomon the Snail. By instilling these values in children from a young age, you can help them become more compassionate and supportive individuals who can provide vital emotional support to their peers in times of failure and adversity.