Although we may say that we value helping others, our students and children are receiving a different message. According to "Why Kids Care More about Achievement than Helping Others", our kids have come to believe that being happy and achieving are more important than caring for those around them. The irony: 

"Studies show that kids' ability to feel for others affects their health, wealth and authentic happiness as well as their emotional, social, cognitive development and performance. Empathy activates conscience and moral reasoning, improves happiness, curbs bullying and aggression, enhances kindness and peer inclusiveness, reduces prejudice and racism, promotes heroism and moral courage and boosts relationship satisfaction" (Lahey, 2014).

Read more to find out how to avoid sending the wrong messages; it is clear that telling our kids we want them to be kind, caring people is not enough. Keep leaving your Active Handprints behind by continuing to make the case for programs that engender empathy in your schools and community.


References:
Lahey, J. (2014). Why kids care more about achievement than helping others. The Atlantic. Retrieved from 
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/06/most-kids-believe-that-achievement-trumps-empathy/373378/

Want to start creating a classroom around the ideals of empathy and service? 
Well, here's one place to start:

In her post "How Reading Literature Cultivates Empathy", Elena Aguilar discusses the importance of educational decisions in the development of character. 

Gilbert Baez, manager of Outpatient Oncology Services at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, was so moved by this anonymous card sent from a local middle school that he had to share it with all patients in need of hope and love!

This card, created through an Active Handprint project, was published on the back of Morristown Medical Center/Atlantic Health System's February calendar. (See image below) 

A little hope sure can go a long way!

Active Handprint would like to thank our friends at the Morristown Medical Center/Atlantic Health System for the work that they do every day & for their powerful response to our project!

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