How to Teach Children Empathy With Activities

Empathy is the ability to identify and understand another person's feelings and emotions. Empathy is an important characteristic, and it's never too early to teach your child how to be caring and understanding toward others. The best ways to teach children empathy include setting an example for them and using interactive activities.

Instructions

  1. Magazine Activity

    • 1

      Write down one emotion on a blank note card. Include emotions like happy, sad, angry and embarrassed.

    • 2

      Lay out the cards in front of your child and go over what each emotion means.

    • 3

      Flip through a magazine or picture book with your child. Have him guess which emotion the person is feeling based on the facial expression.

    • 4

      Brainstorm with your child on ways you can make someone feel better if the person is experiencing a negative emotion.

    Pet Activity

    • 5

      Point out a dog or cat's actions at different times during the day. It can be your own family pet or a random pet at the park.

    • 6

      Ask your child to notice the what the animal is doing. Maybe a dog is wagging its tail or a cat is hissing.

    • 7

      Discuss with your child what those actions mean and what it says about how they are feeling.

    • 8

      Brainstorm ways to make animals happy when they are upset. Examples of this would be petting the animal or buying it a new toy.

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