On the Coast – Families Issue 105 I April/May 2020 | Page 35

Expand your child’s horizons
A key aspect of empathy is being able
to approach people and situations with
an open mind. There are many ways to
nurture this habit in children.
Make diversity normal: Share stories
involving people of different cultural,
social and economic backgrounds – this
encourages children to empathise with
people outside their ‘tribe’ who have
different experiences, abilities and
values. Your child will likely discover
they have things in common with a wide
range of people.
Embrace feelings: Help your child to
identify their own feelings and let them
express themselves without jumping in
with advice or judgement. It is important
and healthy to let children experience the
full range of human emotions, including
the ones commonly seen as ‘negative’, like
anger, sadness and disappointment.
Encourage reflection: Verbally
encourage your child to imagine other
We tend to think of empathy as ‘walking in
another person’s shoes’ to understand their
feelings and experiences. Being able to consider
the needs and motivations of other people is a
fundamental part of emotional development.
perspectives. Asking questions can help
children understand the impact of their
actions on other people. (For example,
‘How do you think James felt when you
called him a nasty name?’) Discussing
current events can help older children
discover the world beyond their doorstep
– and provide concrete examples of
people displaying empathy (or not).
Lend a hand: Provide opportunities
for your child to help other people
inside and outside the home. Taking
on a project or volunteering together
can strengthen family bonds and instil
a sense of collective responsibility. It is
never too early to introduce one of life’s
most important lessons – we’re all in this
together.
Adrienne Garside works for Iris Foundation, a charity that aims to reduce the risk of suicide on the
Central Coast. The Foundation achieves this by facilitating and supporting awareness campaigns,
programs and partnerships which enhance community connectedness and well-being. For more
information, please visit: www.irisfoundation.org.au.
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APRIL/MAY 20 – ISSUE 105
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