Every child is unique, with gifts and talents to contribute to their families and communities. But for many children, their potential is not fulfilled. Millions of children live in hunger, poverty, and lack basic health care, education, and social supports. Others suffer abuse, neglect, and discrimination due to their gender, family of origin, or place of birth. Countless children die from preventable causes or become victims of war, natural disasters, HIV/AIDS, extreme forms of violence, and exploitation. In 1989, world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This landmark treaty outlines their human rights and the responsibilities of governments to protect and empower them.
How we define “child” determines how we treat them. For some, a child is an angelic treasure from heaven, the property of their parents, or a little monster that needs to be trained and disciplined. Others see a child as a living being with a God-given value, identity, and purpose that needs to be nurtured.
In Christian teaching, a child is a physical, moral, spiritual, cognitive, and emotional being created in the image and likeness of God (Psalm 139:13-16). Each child has a unique purpose and value as part of God’s creative plan. Children learn values, beliefs, and customs from their families, but they also develop their own personalities, abilities, and identities by interacting with the world around them.
Research in human development shows that the seeds of empathy and caring are present from early childhood. However, children need adults to help them at each stage of life to nurture those seeds into full development. This involves setting clear boundaries, offering guidance and support, and encouraging them to interact with people who are different from themselves. For example, a 2-year-old can comfort a crying playmate by bringing her a toy or blanket. But a 3-year-old may delight in knocking down another child’s block tower and not understand why the friend would be upset.
Children need to feel that they belong and have a sense of security in order to develop healthy relationships. Providing opportunities to make friends, participate in social activities, and explore their environment helps them develop positive self-esteem, confidence, and self-control. They also need a safe and supportive home environment. This includes teaching children to use words to express themselves rather than hitting or biting, and setting limits on the amount of TV and video games they can play.
Children are most likely to develop empathy for a small circle of close family and friends. They need adults to teach them to care about others outside that circle, such as classmates, the school custodian, or children in other countries. In addition, it is important to model these attitudes by being kind and compassionate. And, when children see adults showing these traits, they are more likely to emulate them.