Helping Your Child Develop Empathy

 I was having a particularly rough day; I sat on the couch crying.  My sweet 1 ½ year old daughter sensed that I was upset.  She toddled over to me and gently pat me on my back to help make me feel better.  I was so overwhelmed by this kind gesture from my little girl that I cried even harder.   This was not the reaction I was supposed to have, so my darling daughter hauled off and slapped my back as hard as she could.  

This is an example of child learning and expressing empathy.   Empathy is the ability to be aware of and understand the feelings and experiences of another and to express that understanding by showing care, support and compassion.  A slap on the back is not usually deemed “compassionate”, but when a standard pat didn’t work, what is a toddler to do?

Modeling compassion and empathy will strengthen your child’s learning, but if you are at a loss at what to do or where to start, check out some of these helpful picture books:

Beautiful Blue by Taylor Girardin - Blue is feeling down, when her Grandmother shows her how beautiful it truly is to be yourself - even in a world where you feel alone.

It Will be OK by Lisa Katzenberger - A sweet, simple picture book about how to help a worried friend. Discover the power of listening and gain insight into dealing with anxiety and having empathy.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena - Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.

Namaste is a Greeting by Suma Subramaniam - Discover namaste’s many meanings in a simple, lyrical text, paired with a charmingly detailed visual narrative about a little girl’s kindness.

I am Human by Susan Verde - Being human means we are full of possibility. We learn, we dream, we wonder at the world around us. But we also make mistakes and can feel fearful or sad.

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchevby - Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle - A muddy country road is no match for this little pick-up—that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of the muck. Luckily, Blue has made a pack of farm animal friends along his route. And they're willing to do whatever it takes to get their pal back on the road.