Developing Empathy in Your Young Child Has Lasting Benefits

When you think of “empathy,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? For many of us, we relate it to kindness and understanding. To be kind, we need to have traits that allow us to be empathetic, which really is about being able to comprehend and relate to what another person is feeling from their perspective and respond with care.

Helping your child develop empathy is a key factor in their development of social-emotional intelligence, and will serve them well as they grow and mature. Some of the benefits of developing empathy at an early age are:

  • Children who are empathetic are more compassionate, kind and tolerant.

  • Empathy helps children easily develop friendships and keep them.

  • Children with higher levels of empathy are better listeners and communicators, achieve more academic and career success, and develop strong leadership skills.

Understanding Empathy:
There are three different kinds of empathy, also sometimes described as processes or components.

  • Cognitive empathy: This is the ability to see and identify other people’s emotions.

  • Emotional empathy: This refers to a deep connection with another person such as when their own feelings mirror the feelings of another person.

  • Compassionate empathy: This kind of empathy encompasses the cognitive and emotional processes and includes the response of feeling the need to help the other person.

While some people are born predisposed to naturally have and show more empathy, everyone can learn to be more empathetic and continue to work at it throughout their life.

What You Can Do to Help Foster Empathy in Your Child:

  • Create a strong parent/family bond by providing constant, loving care in a respectful and nurturing environment.

  • Share your vulnerability and emotions with your child.

  • Help your child understand that they are loved and are an important part of your family and their community.

  • Teach your child to be kind to themselves.

  • Assist your child in recognizing and naming their emotions so that they can more accurately communicate their feelings with you and understand those of others.

  • Model good empathetic behaviors at home such as teaching children about kindness and understanding, speak of others with respect even when your children may not be actively listening, and find ways for your family to take care of others in your community through volunteering or community activities.

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