Teaching Children Empathy

Teach students the value of empathy Assist students in recognizing their own and others feeling Instruct students how to exhibit understanding and acceptance Grades: K-6 By Tonia Caselman, Ph.D. Helping children develop greater empathy-related awareness and skills can help prevent negative social behaviors such as bullying, meanness, and alienation. Empathy is a fundamental social emotion because it brings a sense of emotional connection to others. It is this awareness that is not only basic to all healthy relationships, but also the root of pro-social behavior, altruism, kindness and peace. Empathy has cognitive, affective and behavioral components that can be learned and improved upon by children. Each topic-related lesson includes five inviting worksheets that can be reproduced and used repeatedly with elementary school-aged students. Paperback, 132 pages. Recommended for grades K-6. Topics include: What is Empathy? Knowing Your Own Feelings Learning to Read Others Feelings Listening Feeling Others Feelings Temporarily Putting Your Own Feelings Aside Making Supportive Statements Doing Supportive Things Making / Keeping Friends Conflict Resolution Accepting Diversity Developing Self-Respect