A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS to teach kids empathy, to inspire a culture of compassion
and connection in them, to cultivate what matters most, and to empower them to make a difference in their community.
“This book is exactly what we need right now to help us shape the next generation into compassionate and caring individuals who will have a desire to change the world for the better.”
– Joan Lunden, Award-Winning Journalist, Best Selling Author
“A must read for parents of all ages.”
– Judson Brewer MD PhD, author of The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love – Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits
“Highly recommended!”
– Amy McCready, Author and Founder, Positive Parenting Solutions
“Many thanks to Dale Atkins and Amanda Salzhauer for bringing this much needed gift to the world!”
– Rev. Susan Sparks, Pastor, Comedian, and Author of Laugh Your Way to Grace
“It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish and makes you want to hold the people you love even closer.”
– Mandy Stadtmiller, Author of Unwifeable
“The authors wisely lead with the evidence that kindness leads to greater happiness, meaning, and wellbeing.”
– Patricia A. Bloom, MD, Certified Teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Clinical Associate Professor of Geriatrics, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY
“The book’s blend of significant and relevant issues in psychology, education, and humanism provides a myriad of practical suggestions to help us raise kind children.”
– Norma D. Feshbach, Ph.D. Professor, Chair, Interim Dean Emeritus UCLA
The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children
by Dale Atkins, Ph.D. and Amanda Salzhauer, MSW
In homes and school communities nationwide, there is re-energized interest in the values of community, compassion, and tolerance, and in finding our way to a kinder culture—a culture that starts with our families. Headlines speak of hate crimes, intolerance, and us-versus-them divisiveness.
Recent political events have left many Americans yearning for unity, respect, and compassion in our national discourse. In our schools, bullying continues to be a pervasive problem, and in our homes, “screen-time” poses a constant threat to “family time.” Research indicates that connection and social engagement are key to successful, fulfilling lives, and yet we have never been less connected than we are now.
Perhaps more than any other group, parents recognize the potential damage of this trend. Children who are raised in a culture where giving and compassion are valued become happier and more positively engaged with those around them. They are less likely to treat others disrespectfully. With increased concern about meanness and bullying, you may be among the many parents who see the need for more civil, respectful, and considerate behavior among our children.
The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children, authored by Dr. Dale Atkins, Ph.D., is a practical compassion book for parents to teach their children empathy and compassion, how to impact and influence others, and cultivate what matters.
We all benefit when children are raised with the understanding that they can impact and influence others by making conscious choices. It’s never too early to start your child on a path of fulfillment through meaningful connection with others. Designed to be read with children as young as 4 years, the book offers 10 fundamental concepts to weave into your family’s daily life. Using text, quotes, questions and real-life stories, The Kindness Advantage is the first compassion book parents need to think about and teach the necessary skills to be a kind, and yes, compassionate person. Each idea on its own is simple and unintimidating, yet together they form the powerful foundation that parents need – extending beyond teaching “please” and “thank you” – to teach empathy and kindness habits to their children that will last a lifetime.
In a world where kindness is so greatly needed, The Kindness Advantage offers inspiration and activities to teach kids empathy, to cultivate what matters most, to inspire a culture of compassion and connection, and to empower children to make a difference in their community and in the world.
As in everything Dale does, the book is eloquent, insightful, practical and simple, a truly priceless blueprint for every parent to use. Dale and Amanda’s book is compassionate, and, above all, optimistic that kindness not only should be, but can be the core of our children’s character and personality, of their total lives. ~ Annie Gilbar
