Sharing Good Practice
Key ways to develop empathy in your students
By Rahima Jabeen
( especially the bad guy ) and discussing the actions they take in response to certain situations can really help children understand and relate to real life circumstances . Making that connection to real life is important , so that the matter becomes relevant to pupils . When something is relatable , it tends to stick .
Skype in the classroom
Using Skype in the classroom provides valuable insight into diversity and differences in lifestyles . It is also a good way for students to engage in direct live chat with others across the globe , thus gaining real life experience on how differently others may live .
Superficial associations via social media are gradually replacing deep personalized connections between human beings . As a result , we see children growing up rich in knowledge , but lacking in the ability to understand the emotions and the feelings of others , otherwise known as empathy .
Until insight into the suffering of our fellow men is understood , there is little that can be done to bring about a positive change in society . We can begin by helping our students to understand the importance of being empathetic . Inculcating empathy into daily teaching can build lifelong skills crucial for personal growth and success .
Below are a few ideas that I hope will help .
Familiarise children with the names of different emotions
It ’ s surprising to see that many children are not able to articulate their feelings clearly . When students are not able to communicate their feelings clearly , it can lead to them becoming frustrated . As teachers we can equip them with a healthy vocabulary that allows them to communicate their emotions . The more they are in sync and in command of their own feelings , the more they will be able to feel empathy for others and offer help .
Teach ‘ point of view ’
The easiest way is to show kids that everything can be seen from a different perspective . Take the 9 and 6 numbers , for instance . Place a card with the number 9 on it in between two groups of students and ask them what they see . They will come to respect that although they may see something differently , the other perspective may not be wrong . Continue to have discussions modelling ‘ point of view ’ into lessons wherever possible .
Teach empathy through literature
When selecting text to improve reading and comprehension , bringing out the emotions of the characters
Developing listening skills
Stephen Covey states in his book , The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People , “ Seek first to understand , and then be understood .” This line effectively sums up the key to developing empathy . Kids need to be taught how to listen with patience and understanding . Establish a safe environment in your classroom , and have children share personal experiences where everyone just listens . There doesn ’ t need to be any comment . Bring in guests to your classroom who have overcome some adversity . Make them really listen to connect .
Inculcate empathy as a theme for the entire curriculum
The ability to identify and understand another person ' s situation , their feelings , and motivations can be embedded across the curriculum by encouraging a growth mindset , kindness , sense of purpose , optimism , a sense of giving and compassion . Soft boards , student guided presentations , modelling by the teacher and entire staff - all these things will get imbibed into the physiological makeup of the pupils .
When teachers integrate empathy into schooling , it opens the door for positive changes in the way young people will connect with each other in future .
16 | Mar - Apr 2017 | | Class Time