Pretend Games

According to John D. Hoge's "Teaching Compassion in the Classroom," role playing may be used to help students analyze thoughts and feelings that motivate compassionate behavior. Choose a favorite fairy tale where compassion is the theme. Your son may play a character such as Androcles from "Androcles and the Lion" by Joseph Jacobs. You pretend to be the lion in pain from the thorn in your paw, while he is the compassionate Androcles. Pretend to be a damsel in distress while your son rescues you from a villain, or the two of you may pretend to be superheroes and save the world.

Computer and Board Games

Whitsend.org has interactive CD or DVD games in its "Adventures In Odyssey" series that present scenarios for a child to make compassionate choices. "Quest for Compassion" is an interactive computer game designed to teach children about global poverty. The board game "Compassion" calls for players to refute the decisions of a "Excuser" described as a rude and non-compassionate person. Players collect compassion points when they deny the "Excuser." The player with the most points wins the game.

Games with Puppets

Puppet plays have often been used to demonstrate character development to children. Write your own story of compassion or borrow one from a favorite storybook. Purchase puppets or make your own sock puppets and act out the story with your child.

Checkers or Card Games

The elderly that reside in assisted living facilities may benefit from the company of younger, more energetic kids. Often they welcome the opportunity to interact with children, possibly through a game of checkers or cards. While the game itself may not be a game of compassion, the mere act of taking the time to brighten an elderly person's day demonstrates compassion. It may also be a chance for your child to learn history through the stories of someone who has lived it.