3 simple ways to teach kids to have empathy for others
Johnny is five years old. He watches his friend Mark being teased by other kids, and then he sees Mark start to cry. As a parent, or caregiver, what do you hope Johnny will do"
For many adults, the expected response would be that Johnny would show empathy. That is, he would be understanding and sensitive to Mark?s feelings, and show a compassionate response to Mark?s distress. But is it realistic to expect that young children have this capacity"
Signs of empathic concern in children have been documented as young as eight to 10 months of age. Demonstrations of more obvious forms of empathy, such as showing concern when someone is crying, can be seen in toddlers. But like all aspects of development, the quantity and quality of this skill development can vary dramatically from one child to the next. We do know that when children learn to be empathic early in their development, it can lead to much stronger empathy skills later in life as they become adults who treat others with kindness, respect and understanding. Empathic children can become empathic parents, spouses, co-workers and friends.
Empathy is not a fixed trait; it can be fostered. It can be encouraged and cultivated by empathic siblings, as well as adult caregivers. But empathy does take time to develop.
Parents, teachers and caregivers often ask how they can encourage young children to be more empathic. Here are some tips:
1. Model how to value feelings
First, whenever possible, show warmth and empathy to...
-------------------------------- |
|
Leighton Park School Stages Their Very Own Student Election
03-05-2024 08:25 - (
moms )
Crate & Barrel Hampshire Cribs Recalled
30-04-2024 08:00 - (
moms )