“You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” As adults, we often have this phrase in mind. Yet empathy doesn’t always come naturally, especially for younger children. It’s a skill that takes time and guidance to develop. Learn how to lay the foundation for kindness, understanding and moral growth through simple, age-appropriate practices at home and at school.
Lead By Example
Children are always watching, and they learn by example. When adults speak kindly, listen actively and respond with care, children absorb those behaviors. Whether you’re helping a neighbor, showing patience during a tough moment or holding the door for the person behind you, these small gestures speak volumes. Encourage older children to notice when someone might need help. It can be as simple as noticing when a classmate is sitting alone or offering to help someone struggling with their schoolwork. Remember to praise their kindness and compassion, regardless of their age.
Normalize Emotions
Empathy begins with understanding your feelings. Remind your children that emotions aren’t something to hide or feel ashamed of. Whether they’re happy, angry or sad, every emotion is valid and worth acknowledging. Help younger children recognize and express their emotions by asking how different situations make them feel. Simple activities like painting their emotions or marking them on a chart can help them identify and name their feelings. By creating a safe space for children to express themselves without judgment, adults show that all feelings are part of the human experience. This emotional awareness serves as a gateway to recognizing and respecting how others feel.
Use Books, Movies, and Art
Books and movies allow children to see different scenarios and how characters respond to challenges. Children may feel more comfortable reflecting on these situations and discussing their thoughts and feelings as they connect with the characters. By seeing characters navigate tough situations, children can better understand and empathize with others’ emotions in real life. Encourage open conversations about how the characters acted, what they may have been feeling and how similar situations could happen in their own lives. Paintings, sculptures and other visual art forms also help children explore emotion, culture and perspective while teaching empathy through observation.
Connect Empathy to Real-world Situations
As children grow, they learn to connect their emotions and empathy to real-world issues, broadening their understanding of different perspectives. Introduce age-appropriate news stories or real-world issues to older children, and discuss how different people might feel in those situations. You can also encourage volunteer and outreach projects to practice empathy and make a positive impact on others. For example, volunteering at a local food bank during summer break could help older children practice empathy while seeing firsthand how their actions can make a difference. When you’re out and about, pay attention to accessibility features. Use the opportunity to discuss how some people face challenges navigating public spaces and why inclusion is important.
Teach the Power of Giving
Younger children can learn the value of giving by sharing toys with children in need. It’s important to be open and explain that different families have different resources, so not every child has the same toys. Encourage them to donate what they no longer use while reassuring them that they don’t have to give away their favorite toys. If they have pocket money, participating in a toy drive or charity event is another great way for children to learn the power of giving and understand how small acts can make a big difference.
Cultivating empathy is key to helping children grow into kindhearted adults who care about themselves and the world around them. As they grow, the ability to see things from multiple perspectives helps children navigate complex social situations with care and confidence. Lake Forrest Prep is proud to be an Orlando private elementary school, where respect and kindness are cornerstone values. We celebrate diversity among our staff and families, and encourage students to grow as compassionate, empathetic members of the community. Give us a call at (407) 331-5144 or contact us online to learn more about us!