Teaching your child to empathise with others

Empathy is the ability to understand and respond well to the feelings of others. It is a key ingredient in creating positive relationships and friendships both at school and in the workforce. It is also the easiest way to reduce conflict and can lead to kindness and great success in life. Like any skill, empathy has to be taught for children to develop it. Here are some top tips on teaching your child to empathise with others.

Model empathy

If there is a skill that you would like to teach your child, the first step to take is to model it yourself. In this case, by practicing it to begin with, your child will understand what empathy looks like, how it feels and how it can be beneficial to others. A big reminder is to model empathy even if you are feeling angry or upset. This helps to reinforce the idea that empathy is required no matter how horrible you are feeling in any situation. The more your child receives empathy, the more likely they are to practice it themselves.

Talk about emotions

Ensure emotions are something that can openly be talked about in your household as dismissing or burying them can only lead to bigger issues further down the line. For example, if your child is afraid of the dark, there is no use telling them that there is nothing to be afraid of and to get over it, as that just brushes their feelings to the side and shows them they lack importance. Instead, sit with your child and allow them to talk. Ask them questions such as what exactly makes the dark so scary and what makes them feel safer in a situation like that. Never make your child feel their emotions aren’t important or seen. Make it clear that all emotions are welcome and work together to help them manage them in a healthy way.

Praise empathy

When your child shows empathy to others, make a fuss and tell them how proud you are of them. Focusing on praising their efforts now will encourage more of it in the future.

K Elizabeth xoxox

*Collaborative Post