How to Teach Empathy in Kids

Empathy is an important developmental process that all children need. Not only does empathy spur tolerance and understanding, it also sets up the basic foundation for all relationships and means of compromise. Read more to learn how you can teach empathy in your child.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer
  • Schedule
  • Web
  • Communication

Instructions

  1. How to Teach Empathy to Kids

    • 1

      Encourage your child to donate a small portion of his allowance to a local or national charity. Research the charity with your child and assist him in establishing up a weekly or monthly donation schedule. Encourage your child to learn about the outreach efforts and community education programs sponsored by the charity. Ask him to update the family on the progress of the charity.

    • 2

      Teach your child about global poverty. Explain to your child the state of underdeveloped communities and villages around the world that rely on international relief for basic goods and medical services. Explain how varying international bodies and first world countries are able to make a difference in the lives of millions of disadvantaged men, women and children around the world.

    • 3

      Expose your child to varying ethnic, cultural and religious groups. Explain the value of all human and animal life, regardless of how different or similar it is to one's own. Expose your child to varying ethnic, cultural and regional literature, history, art, theater and music programs.

    • 4

      Teach tolerance, cultural understanding and cultural acceptance. Choose nursery rhymes, cartoon programs, books and movies that encourage tolerance and acceptance. (For a great example, try a program like Sesame Street or Barney's Friends.)

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