Ever seen your little one share their teddy bear with a friend who’s feeling down? That’s empathy in action! It’s like a superpower that helps kids understand and connect with others’ feelings.
But what if your child isn’t naturally empathetic?
Dr. Cortina, Patricia Wu, and Jessica Reyes discuss how empathy can be taught and nurtured through simple conversations. These chats can happen anytime, anywhere – when you see another child get hurt or when your kid isn’t sharing their toys.
The key is to start early.
Even toddlers can learn about empathy, even if they don’t have all the words yet. Ask questions like, “How do you think Sally feels?” This helps kids put themselves in someone else’s shoes.
The benefits of raising empathetic kids go way beyond just having good friends.
It teaches them compassion, resilience, and the important lesson that life isn’t always fair. This helps them bounce back from setbacks and keep trying, knowing that sometimes they’ll win and sometimes they’ll lose.
So, next time you have a chance to chat with your child about feelings, seize the moment! It’s a small step towards raising a kind, caring, and resilient human being.
