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Writer's pictureJames Alex

Ways to nurture empathy in school-going kids

Updated: Nov 18, 2019

There are often situations in our life where we want people to understand things from our perspective. It is hard unless and until people have emotional intelligence or empathy. Empathy is a skill to be able to understand the idea from the perspective of the other person. In other words, it is the ability to be in someone else’s shoes and understand what they are feeling.


Often we think that you don’t need to teach your children about being empathetic because they will learn as the time pass by. But let me tell you it is not the right approach because empathy needs to be developed and teachers and parents both have to play a role in that. Teachers of different international school such as American schools in Sharjah incorporate the activities in classrooms which will build the mindset of students to be considerate and empathetic.


American schools in Sharjah

There is nothing hard in the nurturing the empathy in the children; it is just teachers who have to put a thought in doing so. This article is going to share some ways teachers and parents can both nurture empathy in school-going children.


Ways to foster empathy in children:

Empathy is an essential element in learning because it does not only make students considerate about their behavior and reaction towards their peers. Empathetic students are also respectful towards others. Also, teachers need to cultivate empathy so that bullying can be reduced.


Following are some ways teachers and parents can nurture empathy in school-going kids:


Talk with examples:

When you are trying to teach children about empathy, then you need to give appropriate examples for better understanding. Like you will tell them how they would feel if someone is not helpful to them. This will increase their awareness about others and their emotions. Give examples of how specific behavior can increase stress among others and even hurt them emotionally.


Consequences of behavior:

Another way to induce empathy is by discussing the effects of their behaviors. It is imperative for children to know their limits and how an adverse action can result in negative consequences. Children will continuously be exposed to a different kind of behavior, so they need to learn to copy the ones which show care for their peers. This can only happen once they are aware of the effects of the behavior.


Understand the emotions of children:

When you are trying to nurture the emotional intelligence at that time you need first to ensure that emotional requirements of your child are met. One can only understand the sentiments of other people when their emotional quotient is filled. Talk about their emotional problems and support them in dealing with them step by step.


Concluding thoughts:

Empathy is one of the most admired skills because it strengthens the human relations and interactions. Parents and teachers have the role to play in fostering that. Competent teachers across the globe such as those in American schools in Sharjah involve the students in activities which nurture the emotional intelligence in them without a glitch.


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