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Young children have a lot of BIG feelings, and it is our job to help them learn how to take all of those big feelings and turn them into positive social interactions. On top of teaching them how to act on their own feelings, we also want to make sure that they are also learning how to empathize with others when they are struggling.
Little ones have a hard time with empathy because of one simple reason: They don’t understand theory of mind. Theory of mind is the concept that other people have thoughts and feelings that differ from our own. And young children struggle big-time with this. The idea that someone else might not be thinking the same thing or feeling the same way is a totally foreign concept to them!
Children from birth to 5 years old are quite egocentric, and need they explicit teaching to learn how to consider the thoughts and feelings of others. So how do we boost our children’s ability to see the perspective of others?
Demonstrate to your child how people ought to be treated. Make a point to talk about their emotions in the moment, so that they start to recognize how it feels to be sad, angry, or jealous. Always be willing to see things from your child’s perspective.
Model a sincere apology when you are wrong. Radiate empathy, even if you aren’t in the wrong, to teach your child that it’s more important to maintain relationships than it is to be “right.”
Don’t wait until your child is in the middle of a heated moment to talk to them about feelings!
It’s hard for young children to understand and make connections about other people’s emotions while they are in the midst of their own big feelings. That’s why it’s so important to talk about feelings and emotions outside of conflict resolution, in moments when they are calm and connected with you. These are the moments when they are really going to be able to process the information.
Young children relate best to stories, so while you are reading books to your child, talk to them about how the characters might feeling; Point out the facial expressions of the people in the book. Ask questions like, “How do you think they are feeling?” and “Why might they be feeling that way?”
If your child is interested, you can follow up by having them think about a time when they might have felt the same way as the character in the story. All of these experiences help your child develop a deeper sense of empathy for others and are so beneficial for your child’s emotional intelligence in general.
So often we confuse the child’s ability to say sorry with the child’s ability to be empathetic when in reality, these are two very different things. Teaching your child to say sorry doesn’t mean that they actually feel sorry.
True empathy means that your child not only feels sorry for something that they have done to hurt someone else, but also that they take action to make things better for the other person.
Let’s say your child has broken another child’s block tower. Saying sorry doesn’t fix the other child’s tower. It’s much more effective to teach your child that their actions have real consequences by teaching them to take action (helping the other child re-build their structure) instead of simply saying sorry. Always point out how their efforts to help have helped the other child feel better!
When your child does something kind or unexpected, genuinely thank them. Let them know how much you appreciate their helpfulness. Pointing out your child’s natural kindness is the best thing you can do to support them in becoming more empathetic. Showing them how their generosity affects those around them encourages them to reduce conflicts and just be kind in the first place.
Children don’t become kind, obedient, generous, or altruistic in a day. Teaching empathy takes time! Give your child grace and remember that they are learning.
If you stay on track and consistent with these steps, someday you will look back with pride at how far your child has come in learning how to be kind and empathetic to everyone they meet.
In the journey of nurturing empathy and emotional intelligence in our young children, the path may seem like a winding road filled with moments of uncertainty and small triumphs. However, as parents, caregivers, and educators, our dedication to instilling the invaluable trait of empathy is a testament to our commitment to raising compassionate and understanding individuals.
As we've explored in this article, teaching children to navigate the complex realm of emotions and understand the perspectives of others is an essential undertaking. We've outlined practical steps to help children develop their theory of mind and foster empathy, highlighting the significance of modeling empathy ourselves, discussing emotions proactively, reframing apologies as actions, and celebrating acts of kindness.
But amidst the journey of imparting these critical life skills, the demands of modern parenting can often become overwhelming. That's where the convenience and support of innovative tools like Little Lunches come into play. Just as we strive to consistently nurture empathy in our children over time, this personalized meal planning app, crafted by a team of clinical dietitians, provides parents with the consistent support they need to ensure their child's nutritional needs are met. With access to personalized weekly meal plans, hundreds of recipes and expert advice, Little Lunches offers a helping hand in the daily routine, allowing parents more quality time to focus on fostering empathy and emotional intelligence.
The road to raising empathetic children is a journey of dedication, patience, and love. By implementing the steps outlined in this article and utilizing resources like Little Lunches to streamline our daily responsibilities, we can empower the next generation with the emotional intelligence and empathy necessary to build a more compassionate and understanding world. As parents, caregivers, and educators, let us embrace this mission and look forward to the day when our children, with their newfound empathy, can navigate life's challenges with kindness and understanding, making a positive impact on those they encounter.
By: Monica M. Facusse, Psychologist/Psychotherapist & Health Coach, for Little Lunches
3 years ago