Empathy is a skill—one that we can cultivate and strengthen with practice. It requires us to imagine how someone else is feeling and then respond in a caring manner. When kids care for living things – from babies to animals to plants—they exercise their empathy muscles.
What do kids gain from these experiences? They learn through experience that:
- Everything has needs
- These needs are not always identical
- They can help meet those needs
Here are some ways you can help your children strengthen their empathy muscles:
- Tip 1: Teach Kids How to Care for Babies: Ever notice how a group of kids will suddenly gather around a small baby in fascination? The organization Roots of Empathy brings babies into elementary school classrooms as part of their research-based empathy program. Facilitators help kids to observe the baby’s development and to label the baby’s feelings. If you have a new baby at home, find small, concrete ways for older siblings to help. Teach them to recognize how babies use their cries and expressions to communicate their needs.
- Tip 2: Teach Kids How to Care for Animals: Researchers have found a correlation between attachment to a pet and higher empathy scores. Pet care can provide a consistent “job” for kids—a meaningful, daily responsibility. Even preschoolers can help fill a dog’s water bowl or give fish a pinch of food. If your child wants to learn more about taking care of animals, the Wild Kratts Baby Buddies app is a great place to start. This app lets kids learn about animal science while they feed, wash and protect a baby elephant, cheetah, crocodile, zebra and aardvark.
- Tip 3: Teach Kids How to Care for Plants: Gardening with young kids offers practical lessons in cause and effect. If you forget to water the flowers, they will begin to wilt; similarly, when you forget to “water” your friends and family with kindness, those relationships can wilt, too. Cultivate your kids’ interest in plants and the natural world by following the adventures of “backyard explorer extraordinaire” Nature Cat. Kids will learn about seed dispersal in the game Seed Soaring and create an outdoor space in Park Builder!
Read the full story on how to help your child build empathy at PBS.org/Parents.
