5 Tips to Teach Empathy

Research tells us that when a child feels that their parents understand their feelings, they are more likely to open up and share things. Modelling these virtues for your children will not only help them feel loved but will increase their sense of security and their trust with you. Ask yourself, the last time your child was upset, angry, or hurt, how did you respond? Did you tell them to brush it off or did you get defensive? Or did you try to see things from their perspective and empathize with how they were feeling?

A common mistake for parents to make when their child is upset is to tell him how he feels instead of asking them. Try and avoid statements like “I know how you feel.” Instead ask your child “How do you feel?” If he can’t explain it, give him some options. For example, you can ask him “Are you angry, sad or upset?” When children are given options, they are better equipped to articulate how they feel.