Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
“18-month-old children who were mimicked in a friendly manner by an adult experimenter were significantly more likely to help either that experimenter or a different adult who needed help compared to children whose behavior was not copied. And another study found that 18-month-olds and 25-month-olds both offered more help toward an emotionless adult victim who had had her possessions taken away or destroyed compared to an actor who had not been harmed, suggesting that sympathy may help motivate prosocial behavior in even very young children.”
Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.
The research linked to toddlers interests me as we have a granddaughter.
But everyone out there reading this can help the next generation grow in generosity through mimicking in a friendly manner. And it seems they are never too young to start.
Think of the children in your life, in your neighborhood, in your church.
Consider creative ways to imitate generosity to them whether you are related to them or not. Your modeling will motivate their “prosocial” behavior and chart a course for generous living.
Failure to do so, according to the research will send them the opposite direction.
I want to wish a Happy Birthday to my sister back in Ohio. She’s two years older than me, so according to the research, her example helped me grow to be the person I today. Thanks Heather. Happy Birthday.