Empathy is the skill upon which all others rest; it allows us to truly comprehend what other people are experiencing and feeling. With society more connected than ever, there has never been a more necessary time for the youth to care. For starters, it encourages empathy; something so fundamental to kindness and understanding—but also absolutely critical for children as they go on in life finding their way through the complex dance of humanity.
Empathy — Definition & Significance
Empathy is understanding what the other person feels but being able to walk in their shoes and responding with care and compassion. The ability is especially important for building social bonds, resolving disputes and encouraging collaboration. Research shows that children who learn empathy are more inclined to display prosocial behavior, like sharing, assisting others and comforting them (Eisenberg et al., 2010).
It is for later life, personal and job wise; without fundamental traits such as these there can never be healthier relationships.
Empathy also plays a notable role in the reduction of bullying and aggression. If children recognize the effect their actions have on people, they will be more likely to desist from harmful behaviors. Empathetic kids are more likely to defend a victim from bullying, foster inclusion in their social circles at recess, and prevent the cruel tease on the new kid’s first day of class… along with morsels that build respectful dialogue.
Parents and Teachers Have a Part to Play
Empathy is taught first and foremost by parents, followed closely by educators. They can demonstrate empathetic behavior, allow children to voluntarily exercise empathy, and help them cope in social situations.
- Modeling Empathy: The most efficient way children learn is by observing others, especially adults. When empathy is shown—in their interactions with one another and in the way they engage parents, children are more likely to act. Basic things, such as being friendly to those around you or caring for a friend’s health are direct displays of empathy that children can readily comprehend.
Another way to develop empathy is by openly talking about feelings and encouraging children to share how they feel as well, so that it helps them identify their own emotions.
- Teaching Kids to Understand Other Points of View: Encouraging perspective-taking is one first thing that can help them become compassionate people. This can be achieved by setting an example, playing as characters through role-play, or reading stories of diverse peoples together. Granted, this involves the parents and/or teacher asking such questions as “How do you think they felt?” with respect to a told story, or “What would you do in that situation?” These conversations are actually very healthy for kids as it teaches them that there is more than one way of looking at things (Note that I did not say right or wrong).
- Teaching Emotional Literacy: The capacity to recognize and name emotions—emotional literacy—is strongly tied with empathy. If a child is able to recognize their own emotions, they can learn how others are feeling. Caring adults can help scaffold emotional literacy in children by explaining how we experience feelings and offering words to use when talking about them. Great games to learn about emotions are emotion charades or an “emotion wheel.”
- Active Listening: Active listening is arguably the most important part of becoming more empathetic. This entails listening, a heartfelt gesture that values the speaker’s perspective. If your kids practice active listening, they will be more empathetic in the way that they communicate. One way to promote this is by making time for “listening games” that require children to carefully listen and then respond to what they hear. An adult can also show active listening by talking the full time with a child, giving him/her attention or saying, “I know how you feel right now.”
Fostering Empathy Stages
Enabling young people to show empathy is crucial in their social development. Schools have a huge responsibility in this area. One of the biggest factors that increase social competence in students is their implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs, which are blended with empathy.
SEL programs teach children about emotions, relationships, and decision-making, which help in building a base for empathy.
- Cooperative Activities: Children learn empathy through group projects and games (school setting). Why Is it Important: These activities encourage children to collaborate, consider others’ opinions, and help each other accomplish a common goal. When interacting with others they come to understand the benefits of teamwork and how everyone views their social environment.
- Community Service: Doing community service work is another great way to help your child learn empathy.
Whether through delivering meals for a food drive, offering time to serve at a local charity, or helping out around the neighborhood; engaging in outreach allows children opportunities to see corners of life different than their own and invites them into lives beyond themselves that may go unnoticed. This can be a very potent way of understanding empathy and their roles within the community to children.
- Safe Believing Place: Kids are better at offering compassion and empathy once they believe that sense safe. Children should be able to talk about their feelings, and we must prioritize the mental welfare of our schools & homes. Well-defined policies around respect, giving emotional support, and promoting open communication can result in a space where a true sense of empathy prevails.
When you teach empathy, it helps a child to adjust themselves socially, but more than that, teaching this virtue will help them grow into empathetic adults and be able to contribute positively in the lives of people around. Through modeling empathetic behavior, facilitating perspective-taking, and promoting emotional literacy in children while cultivating environments of empathy, parents and educators can prepare them for a kinder world. All of this work ensures that as these children grow up to become empathetic adults, they will be far more capable of building healthy relationships and resolving conflicts peacefully—and creating a kinder, gentler world.