{"id":500601,"date":"2020-05-25T08:54:04","date_gmt":"2020-05-25T13:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.k5teachers.com\/?p=500601"},"modified":"2024-02-03T09:25:01","modified_gmt":"2024-02-03T15:25:01","slug":"can-empathy-be-taught","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.k5teachers.com\/can-empathy-be-taught\/","title":{"rendered":"K5T – Can Empathy Be Taught?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n \n<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n \n<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

The sooner the better<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u00a0 \u00a0 Empathy can be taught from an early age. Young preschoolers are very \u201cme\u201d centered, but it is not too early to teach kindness and compassion daily.\u00a0 Elementary school aged students can learn and should have the opportunity to practice in a school setting. Home is where learning begins. Parents often reach out to teachers on how to help their children at home. Parents should be encouraged to teach empathy at home with family members, especially siblings who test patience from the day we are born or as soon as they arrive. Modeling is a great way to teach empathy. \u201cYour sister seems sad because she dropped her ice cream cone.\u201d \u201cYour little brother is sad because he was not tall enough to ride the roller coaster.\u201d<\/strong> <\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Looking Beyond Self<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u00a0 \u00a0 Empathy involves looking past one’s own perspective in any given situation and understanding the needs and experiences of another person. We don\u2019t want our children to be self-absorbed, caring less about others\u2019 lives.<\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 Most of our students attend elementary schools in mixed-ability classrooms. That means learning to work with advanced learners, typical learners, and children who have learning needs. Children can be taught to be kind and thoughtful with all other learners, even those who are different from self.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Tolerance, Acceptance, and Understanding<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u00a0 \u00a0 We want our children to grow up with recognition, acceptance, and understanding of others, because it has become a way of life and not for what they will receive in return.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 I believe that our non-disabled son will tell you that growing up with a brother with autism was not easy, especially in the pre-school and elementary years. However, that experience, I believe has made him a kinder, more patient, and compassionate person, appreciating all people with differences.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Practice<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u00a0 \u00a0 How do children get better at anything?\u00a0 They practice. You don\u2019t have to have a planned time to teach empathy. Just embed it in your daily activities. If you have the luxury of having circle time in the mornings as your school day is beginning, talk about empathy, and how it can be practiced throughout the day, especially at recess. Encourage your students to observe while playing on the playground and reach out to any child who may need some kindness.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Pause To Ponder!<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Check out our free lesson you can use to teach your students empathy – coming to this blog soon! Language arts time is a great time to develop reading and writing skills, while also developing emotional intelligence. Enjoy!<\/span>
<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spoiler alert: it can!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":500615,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"enabled","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[100005],"tags":[],"spectra_custom_meta":{"_thumbnail_id":["500615"],"site-sidebar-layout":["default"],"site-content-layout":["default"],"theme-transparent-header-meta":["enabled"],"stick-header-meta":["default"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["60"],"_wxr_import_user_slug":["rishabhm"],"_astra_sites_imported_post":["1"],"_elementor_edit_mode":["builder"],"_elementor_template_type":["wp-post"],"_elementor_version":["2.9.9"],"_elementor_pro_version":["2.9.5"],"_wp_page_template":["default"],"_elementor_data":["[{\"id\":\"45be0014\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"background_background\":\"classic\",\"background_color\":\"#ffffff\",\"background_color_b\":\"#fff1ad\",\"background_image\":{\"id\":\"500213\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.k5teachers.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/02\\\/paper-background.jpg\"},\"background_overlay_background\":\"classic\",\"background_overlay_color\":\"#EFEEE7\",\"background_overlay_opacity\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0.8000000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,\"sizes\":[]},\"shape_divider_top\":\"clouds\",\"shape_divider_bottom\":\"clouds\",\"margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"\",\"right\":0,\"bottom\":\"\",\"left\":0,\"isLinked\":true},\"padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"50\",\"right\":\"30\",\"bottom\":\"50\",\"left\":\"30\",\"isLinked\":false},\"background_size\":\"cover\",\"padding_tablet\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"30\",\"right\":\"10\",\"bottom\":\"30\",\"left\":\"10\",\"isLinked\":false},\"padding_mobile\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"20\",\"right\":\"5\",\"bottom\":\"20\",\"left\":\"5\",\"isLinked\":false}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bc9050f\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"672a1fe2\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"space_tablet\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":30,\"sizes\":[]},\"space_mobile\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":20,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"spacer\"},{\"id\":\"9888d40\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6f8ea76\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7bf2b8ba\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"selected_icon\":{\"value\":\"fas fa-home-heart\",\"library\":\"fa-solid\"},\"primary_color\":\"#23A455\",\"_animation\":\"rubberBand\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"icon\"},{\"id\":\"276717a2\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"The sooner the better\",\"align\":\"center\",\"title_color\":\"#23A455\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"196fd8b8\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"

\\u00a0 \\u00a0 Empathy can be taught from an early age. Young preschoolers are very \\u201cme\\u201d centered, but it is not too early to teach kindness and compassion daily.\\u00a0 Elementary school aged students can learn and should have the opportunity to practice in a school setting. Home is where learning begins. Parents often reach out to teachers on how to help their children at home. Parents should be encouraged to teach empathy at home with family members, especially siblings who test patience from the day we are born or as soon as they arrive. Modeling is a great way to teach empathy. \\u201cYour sister seems sad because she dropped her ice cream cone.\\u201d \\u201cYour little brother is sad because he was not tall enough to ride the roller coaster.\\u201d<\\\/strong> <\\\/b><\\\/p>\",\"align\":\"left\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"30\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":true}],\"isInner\":true},{\"id\":\"6c43e05\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"45c656b\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b636cc\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"selected_icon\":{\"value\":\"fas fa-hands-heart\",\"library\":\"fa-solid\"},\"primary_color\":\"#23A455\",\"_animation\":\"rubberBand\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"icon\"},{\"id\":\"9ac40b2\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"Looking Beyond Self\",\"align\":\"center\",\"title_color\":\"#23A455\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"9eccf09\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"

\\u00a0 \\u00a0 Empathy involves looking past one's own perspective in any given situation and understanding the needs and experiences of another person. We don\\u2019t want our children to be self-absorbed, caring less about others\\u2019 lives.<\\\/strong><\\\/p>

\\u00a0 \\u00a0 Most of our students attend elementary schools in mixed-ability classrooms. That means learning to work with advanced learners, typical learners, and children who have learning needs. Children can be taught to be kind and thoughtful with all other learners, even those who are different from self.<\\\/strong><\\\/p>\",\"align\":\"left\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"30\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":true}],\"isInner\":true},{\"id\":\"7bc6567\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"42ea188\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eee43fa\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"selected_icon\":{\"value\":\"fas fa-hands-helping\",\"library\":\"fa-solid\"},\"primary_color\":\"#23A455\",\"_animation\":\"rubberBand\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"icon\"},{\"id\":\"9d14d26\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"Tolerance, Acceptance, and Understanding\",\"align\":\"center\",\"title_color\":\"#23A455\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"5b78c45\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"

\\u00a0 \\u00a0 We want our children to grow up with recognition, acceptance, and understanding of others, because it has become a way of life and not for what they will receive in return.\\u00a0<\\\/strong><\\\/p>

\\u00a0 \\u00a0 I believe that our non-disabled son will tell you that growing up with a brother with autism was not easy, especially in the pre-school and elementary years. However, that experience, I believe has made him a kinder, more patient, and compassionate person, appreciating all people with differences.<\\\/strong><\\\/p>\",\"align\":\"left\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"30\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":true}],\"isInner\":true},{\"id\":\"fa657e5\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"0233ed8\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4770d37\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"selected_icon\":{\"value\":\"fas fa-box-heart\",\"library\":\"fa-solid\"},\"primary_color\":\"#23A455\",\"_animation\":\"rubberBand\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"icon\"},{\"id\":\"219414c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"Practice\",\"align\":\"center\",\"title_color\":\"#23A455\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"7680ded\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"

\\u00a0 \\u00a0 How do children get better at anything?\\u00a0 They practice. You don\\u2019t have to have a planned time to teach empathy. Just embed it in your daily activities. If you have the luxury of having circle time in the mornings as your school day is beginning, talk about empathy, and how it can be practiced throughout the day, especially at recess. Encourage your students to observe while playing on the playground and reach out to any child who may need some kindness.<\\\/strong><\\\/p>\",\"align\":\"left\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"30\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":true}],\"isInner\":true},{\"id\":\"ef5d344\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"aa019aa\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"0b67fb6\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"selected_icon\":{\"value\":\"far fa-lightbulb-on\",\"library\":\"fa-regular\"},\"primary_color\":\"#23A455\",\"_animation\":\"rubberBand\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"icon\"},{\"id\":\"186b0b1\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"Pause To Ponder!\",\"align\":\"center\",\"title_color\":\"#23A455\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"b82dfad\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"

    Check out our free lesson you can use to teach your students empathy - coming to this blog soon! Language arts time is a great time to develop reading and writing skills, while also developing emotional intelligence. Enjoy!<\\\/span>
<\\\/p>\",\"align\":\"left\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"30\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":true}],\"isInner\":true}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]"],"_oembed_e0244882a168f9ffdd3098be230ff5bb":["