Learning Empathy
WHAT IS EMPATHY?
WHAT IS EMPATHY?
Empathy is:- an attribute of young people that has proven to be highly relevant to the educational process and educational outcomes. It can be learned.
Empathy is:- an attribute of young people that has proven to be highly relevant to the educational process and educational outcomes. It can be learned.
Empathy is: is a social interaction between any two individuals wherein one individual experiences the feelings of a second individual. A teacher is analogous to the counselor or therapist and the student is analogous to the client. The assumption underlying the emphasis on teacher empathy is that empathic communication by the teacher will result in students experiencing greater understanding and acceptance, and that they will thus develop more positive attitudes toward themselves and toward schooling.
Empathy is: is a social interaction between any two individuals wherein one individual experiences the feelings of a second individual. A teacher is analogous to the counselor or therapist and the student is analogous to the client. The assumption underlying the emphasis on teacher empathy is that empathic communication by the teacher will result in students experiencing greater understanding and acceptance, and that they will thus develop more positive attitudes toward themselves and toward schooling.
Empathy is: a way of connecting with other people that shows you understand that they’re experiencing something meaningful—even though you may not understand exactly how it feels for them. In other words, empathy is about finding a way to connect and to be able to say, “I want to understand how this feels to you and let you know that you’re not alone.”
Empathy is: a way of connecting with other people that shows you understand that they’re experiencing something meaningful—even though you may not understand exactly how it feels for them. In other words, empathy is about finding a way to connect and to be able to say, “I want to understand how this feels to you and let you know that you’re not alone.”
EDUCATIONAL TARGETS
EDUCATIONAL TARGETS
Learning Emotional Literacy
Learning Emotional Literacy
One of the first ways that students begin to experience empathy is through exposure to a variety of literary experiences.
One of the first ways that students begin to experience empathy is through exposure to a variety of literary experiences.
Characters and conflicts in books can expose children to a range of social situations that children may or may not have experienced themselves. By exposing children to these resources, teachers can prompt and guide discussions related to characters’ emotions, as well as children’s personal feelings about characters or conflicts in the story. These discussions, as well as strategic questioning on the part of the teacher, will allow students to engage in empathy practices.
Characters and conflicts in books can expose children to a range of social situations that children may or may not have experienced themselves. By exposing children to these resources, teachers can prompt and guide discussions related to characters’ emotions, as well as children’s personal feelings about characters or conflicts in the story. These discussions, as well as strategic questioning on the part of the teacher, will allow students to engage in empathy practices.
The use of literature is a step that can be taken at any level of education. Elementary school students often interact with literature to understand how to make friends and form early relationships. Middle and high school students build on these early skills and use literature to expand relationship building into their communities and begin to think globally.
The use of literature is a step that can be taken at any level of education. Elementary school students often interact with literature to understand how to make friends and form early relationships. Middle and high school students build on these early skills and use literature to expand relationship building into their communities and begin to think globally.
Define Your Moral identity
Define Your Moral identity
Before students can empathize, they must be able to read emotions. Students who can recognize feelings are better adjusted emotionally and are more popular, outgoing, and sensitive A child's inner value system, or moral identity, can inspire empathy, shape character, and motivate compassion.
Before students can empathize, they must be able to read emotions. Students who can recognize feelings are better adjusted emotionally and are more popular, outgoing, and sensitive A child's inner value system, or moral identity, can inspire empathy, shape character, and motivate compassion.
Learn About Perspective-taking
Learn About Perspective-taking
Perspective-taking is the cognitive side of empathy and is crucial for today's students. Whether it's connecting students across the globe through technology, debating an issue from various sides, or seeing the American Revolution from the British point of view, perspective taking can stretch students' horizons and lead them to question assumptions. Research also shows that the most memorable lessons are often based on this third empathy competency
Perspective-taking is the cognitive side of empathy and is crucial for today's students. Whether it's connecting students across the globe through technology, debating an issue from various sides, or seeing the American Revolution from the British point of view, perspective taking can stretch students' horizons and lead them to question assumptions. Research also shows that the most memorable lessons are often based on this third empathy competency
Develop Your Moral Imagination
Develop Your Moral Imagination
Educators intuitively know that books can transport students to other worlds, but now science proves it. Reading literary fiction like Wonder or The Grapes of Wrath can enhance empathy and help us to feel with the characters. Emotionally charged films and images can also prompt empathetic feelings and even encourage charitable giving.
Educators intuitively know that books can transport students to other worlds, but now science proves it. Reading literary fiction like Wonder or The Grapes of Wrath can enhance empathy and help us to feel with the characters. Emotionally charged films and images can also prompt empathetic feelings and even encourage charitable giving.
Learn How to Self Regulate
Learn How to Self Regulate
Self-regulation allows kids to keep their emotions in check and recognize others' feelings, empathize, and then calmly think of how to help. It also boosts academic performance: Managing emotions is a better predictor of academic achievement than IQ
Self-regulation allows kids to keep their emotions in check and recognize others' feelings, empathize, and then calmly think of how to help. It also boosts academic performance: Managing emotions is a better predictor of academic achievement than IQ
Learn How to Practice Kindness
Learn How to Practice Kindness
Being kind is what helps children tune in to other people's feelings and needs, trust more, and become more "we" oriented and less "me" oriented. Each kind act nudges kids to notice others ("I see how you feel"), care ("I'm concerned about you"), empathize ("I feel with you"), and help and comfort them ("Let me ease your pain"). Practicing kindness can also change children's self-image and behavior. If a child sees herself as kind, she is more likely to act kindly.
Being kind is what helps children tune in to other people's feelings and needs, trust more, and become more "we" oriented and less "me" oriented. Each kind act nudges kids to notice others ("I see how you feel"), care ("I'm concerned about you"), empathize ("I feel with you"), and help and comfort them ("Let me ease your pain"). Practicing kindness can also change children's self-image and behavior. If a child sees herself as kind, she is more likely to act kindly.
Learn How to Collaborate
Learn How to Collaborate
Empathy is never a solitary act: It's only when we let go of our self-centeredness and feel with others that our hearts open. Working together on common goals can help students make that crucial shift from "me" to "we." These cooperative experiences sensitize students to those who may be different or have conflicting interests. This competency also broadens students' social spheres, preparing them for a diverse world.
Empathy is never a solitary act: It's only when we let go of our self-centeredness and feel with others that our hearts open. Working together on common goals can help students make that crucial shift from "me" to "we." These cooperative experiences sensitize students to those who may be different or have conflicting interests. This competency also broadens students' social spheres, preparing them for a diverse world.
Develop Moral Courage
Develop Moral Courage
Moral courage is the inner strength that motivates children to act on their empathetic urges and help others despite the potential consequences. Demonstrating moral courage is not always easy, but children who do so stick their necks out for justice and compassion. They are upstanders—the empathetic elite—who stand up for others because they know deep down it's the right thing to do. Acting courageously increases students' resilience, creativity, confidence, willpower, and school engagement—and is teachable.
Moral courage is the inner strength that motivates children to act on their empathetic urges and help others despite the potential consequences. Demonstrating moral courage is not always easy, but children who do so stick their necks out for justice and compassion. They are upstanders—the empathetic elite—who stand up for others because they know deep down it's the right thing to do. Acting courageously increases students' resilience, creativity, confidence, willpower, and school engagement—and is teachable.
Become a Changemaker
Become a Changemaker
Encouraging students to help others can activate empathy and help them see themselves as changemakers: individuals who make positive changes and inspire others to follow. Giving—not receiving—is what makes kids happier, healthier, less stressed, and feel better about themselves. Every student, regardless of zip code, has the potential to make the world a better place, if we provide the right experiences.
Encouraging students to help others can activate empathy and help them see themselves as changemakers: individuals who make positive changes and inspire others to follow. Giving—not receiving—is what makes kids happier, healthier, less stressed, and feel better about themselves. Every student, regardless of zip code, has the potential to make the world a better place, if we provide the right experiences.