In my 20-plus years of corporate experience, the one skill I found to be most important but highly scarce and underrated has been EMPATHY!!
And that’s why I knew Empathy is one of the most important skills to teach children. Like all other social and emotional learning (SEL) skills, children are not born with it. BUT THEY NEED TO BE TAUGHT.
Empathy builds kindness. When kids learn to understand the feelings of others, they become more compassionate, kind, and socially aware. In this world where our children are surrounded by all things ‘artificial,’ let’s teach them Empathy to be real. This is the one skill no automation can replace.
Empathy builds respect.. a core ingredient required for effective teamwork, collaboration, and building powerful relationships.
Empathy builds CARE. Children who work with Empathy care for the environment and everyone around them. The rather rampant problem of bullying would be solved to a great extent if children learn about Empathy.
Read More: How Violent Content Affects a Child’s Mind
5 Ways In Which You Can Build Empathy In Your Child.
- Teach children to recognize, respect, and acknowledge their own emotions. When they understand their emotions and feelings, they can better relate to others’ emotions in similar situations.
- Draw their attention to the feelings of others. It could be the guard holding the door for them, a waiter serving them, their maid, children on the street, or any other person around them. Ask your child, “What do you think? How must they be feeling?” Ask them to be mindful of others’ feelings when responding. e.g., when you ask them to thank someone, also remind them or draw their attention to how their gesture made the other person feel… you could tell them how they made the other person’s day by their small gesture of thanking them.
- Acknowledge their efforts.. however small. Your acknowledgment would reinforce self-belief and encourage them to continue positive behaviors.
- Remind them how a particular action would make them feel or how a particular action made them feel in the past. So that they understand that others could feel the same
- Be a role model. Try to understand their feelings and perspectives by stepping into their shoes. Be fully present and empathetic towards them and others!!
Read More: Parent’s Guide to Overcoming Sibling Rivalry
Upasna Punj is the founder of Live Your Bachpan. A mother herself, she loves spending time with children. She is on a mission to build communities of children who are resilient, respectful, mindful and WHO CARE by teaching them life skills using the POWER of Habits. Book a call now by clicking on this link to know more about Live Your Bachpan and how it can help your child live a beautiful and memorable childhood.
