Social-Emotional Wellness Activities for Families

Today's Theme: Empathy

Teaching empathy: Evidence-based tips for fostering empathic awareness in children from Parenting Science.

Can you teach empathy? Yes. But teaching empathy depends on more than being a good role model. It depends on more than assigning kids a few educational activities. We need to understand the psychology of empathy, and the basic skills that children need to share emotions, read minds, and offer help.

Activity/Craft

Flower

Have your child think about someone they love. What if they were sad? What could your child do that might make them feel better?

Have your child draw a picture of a flower in the pot, color the picture and give it to someone the next time they see someone who is sad.

VIDEO

BOOK LIST

I Am Human: A Book About Empathy by Susan Verde, Art by Peter H. Reynolds

Sumi's First Day of School Ever by Soyung Pak, illustrated by Joung Un Kim

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates, co-written with Juniper Bates

Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush's

Incredible Journey by Doug Kuntz

Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds

Two White Rabbits by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Rafael Yockteng, translated by Elisa Amado

You, Me and Empathy by Jayneen Sanders, illustrated by Sophia Cardoso

The One Day House by Julia Durango, illustrated by Bianca Diaz

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jen Hill

MINDFULNESS ACTIVITY

MOVEMENT ACTIVITY

Dance to the Kindness Song

ADDITIONAL PARENT RESOURCES

How to Help Your Child Develop Empathy (Infants and Toddlers)

5 Tips for Cultivating Empathy from Harvard.edu

Teaching Empathy Tips from Parenting Science.com

Seven Ways to Foster Empathy in Kids from greatergood.berkeley.edu

Self Help Inc./CFCE | Website