How do you teach a child what empathy is? (not sympathy). How do you raise your children to be empathetic people?
2007-09-28 05:35:57 · 9 answers · asked by Amy Clark 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Talk to them. A lot. Explain what it means to put yourself in someone else's shoes and understand that the world does not revolve around yourself. Give them examples of this whenever you can, and ask them what they think about it.
One place I think I learned a lot about morality and empathy were through reading children's books that promote this type of attitude. Maybe check to see if you can find a good series at the bookstore. Your kids will become "friends" with the characters and want to emulate their thoughts and behavior.
2007-09-28 05:41:26 · answer #1 · answered by Sarah 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she is an only child, then this behavior can be expected. She hasn't grown up with another child and doesn't know how to treat others her age and she can't see the way she's behaving and try to better herself. The problem is that it might be too late to try to get her into activities with other children as well because by now she'll just act the same way and not understand why it is not right. I believe you should take her to a therapist that can help her understand that her behavior is inappropiate at times and that she should show compassion to others. You can also help by volunteering and showing her that showing love and empathy to those that need it can make others happy. You can do this by driving around the city and giving food the homeless. I hope you find the answer and have time to help her straighten up her act ;) Good luck.
2016-05-20 23:27:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's a very good question. I would just focus on teaching them about other ppl in general, that other ppl don't have what they have, in some ways. I would teach them to be thoughtful and giving, and I think empathy will be natural then.
Like, for Christmas, if you're financially sound, maybe find a program, where you can take presents to a family who can't afford them. If your children are old enough, they can help pick out the presents, and really feel involved in making someone else's life better.
I think empathy will come, from being an unselfish, giving thoughtful person, which of course, you'd love your children to be.
2007-09-28 05:46:09 · answer #3 · answered by Dj 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think some children are born with more of a propensity towards empathy then others. But it can be nurtured in all. It must be.
I try to ask a lot of questions about feelings. How do they think another person feels. -How would they feel if that happened to them? Kids -because of their extraordinary imaginations can really get into that.
There is a stage where they are able to inflict pain on someone else and not really get it -when they are toddlers. Eventually, once the imagination starts, I think the empathy starts as well.
2007-09-28 05:42:07 · answer #4 · answered by The Sponge 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm not too sure empathy is a learned emotion.
I'm entirely too empathic & it's a personally trait that I've developed on my own.
I think if your children understand what sympathy is and feel bad for other peoples misfortunes, empathy will just fall in line.
2007-09-28 05:40:47 · answer #5 · answered by Jennield 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you can teach them empathy by example. If you show feelings for others they will notice that. Just like anything else, you teach what you do not what you say.
2007-09-28 05:45:18 · answer #6 · answered by Carrie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to be very vocal around your children. Express the feelings you want them to have themselves. As you already know by now, they are great mimics.
Say you see a wounded bird, you can say "Aah shame, look at this poor little wounded bird! Let's see what we can do to make it better.." for example.
If you see someone on TV with an illness etc., you can voice how sad you feel for that person and say "Shame, don't you feel bad for that person?"
When you see an old person in town, you can say "Oh look at that poor old man...he's having trouble walking."
When another child is hurt in their company, you can say "Oh shame, poor
If your children are girls, you can teach them to be tender with their dolls...
2007-09-28 05:42:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The biggest influence in your children's lives is you. They are watching you and how you react. If you react with empathy, they will see. It's not really something you instruct, because it is something you live.
2007-10-01 05:24:37 · answer #8 · answered by beaches 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As in so many things, by example. Some of us are better than others at 'feeling your pain', but all of us can learn to be considerate and polite.
2007-09-28 05:47:25 · answer #9 · answered by John R 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋