Monday’s Parenting Thought

It is important for kids to learn to feel what other kids feel. If others are sad – to feel sad that they are sad. If others are mad or afraid – to understand that they have important reasons to be mad or afraid. If others are happy – to be happy that they are happy.

Some ways children can learn to feel what others feel (empathy):

• Talk about their own feelings.

• Learn the names of feelings and be able to name what they feel and what they think others are feeling.

• Talk about what they think others are feeling – TV characters, brothers and sisters, Mom and Dad, kids at school, or kids they see on the playground.

• Learn to make up for mistakes they make (for example, when they hurt someone – even when they don’t mean to).

Inspired by BOO HOO BIRD by Jeremy Tankard

For more information about kids and empathy: When a Kid Gets Hurt.