Member-only story
How to Teach Empathy Across the Lifespan
Empathy — the ability to understand and share the feelings of others — is a cornerstone of meaningful human connection. Teaching empathy effectively requires understanding how people develop and express empathy at different stages of life. By tailoring strategies to each stage, we can nurture a more compassionate and connected society.
Early Childhood (Ages 2–7)
1. Model Empathetic Behavior: Children learn by observing. Caregivers and educators should model kindness, active listening, and compassion in everyday interactions. Demonstrating understanding when a child is upset or sharing joy when they are happy teaches them how to mirror those emotions with others.
2. Use Storytelling: Books and stories that highlight emotions and diverse perspectives help children understand different feelings and situations. Choose stories with diverse characters and situations that encourage children to ask questions and discuss emotions.
3. Role-Playing: Simple role-playing games allow children to step into others’ shoes and explore different emotions. Activities like pretending to be a doctor caring for a patient or a friend helping someone in need make abstract feelings more concrete.
4. Validate Emotions: Encourage children to express their feelings and validate those emotions without…
