Compassion by definition is "a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering".
When explaining anything to a child even if they are highly intelligent you want to leave out extremely abstract ideas and concepts. You have to make the material relatable to them by using familiar language and situations.
Children are still learning about themselves, so to have compassion for another being is a challenge. An example may be to ask; if you were a dog stuck in a cage alone, wouldn't you want someone to love and care for you and set you free; free you from your discomfort in that cage? Does it make you feel sad that the dog is stuck in that cage? That is compassion. If you help the dog get out so he can play, enjoy his life and find a home which is being compassionate.
It's not such a terrible thing to teach children compassion. Compassion does not equal weakness. It only means that they are able to think of other beings besides themselves and help them to end their suffering whatever it may be.
