Empathy is one of the most essential emotional skills kids can develop. It’s the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, helping children form stronger connections, resolve conflicts, and be more compassionate toward those around them. Today, we're diving into a simple, engaging SEL activity that teaches empathy through fun and interactive exercises. This activity helps children put themselves in others' shoes, recognize different emotions, and respond with kindness.
We'll explore:
A quick breakdown of empathy and why it’s important.
A step-by-step guide to each segment of the activity.
The benefits each part of the activity offers.
A creative homework assignment to help kids continue practicing empathy at home.
What is Empathy and Why Does It Matter?
Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the feelings of others. It's not just about feeling bad when someone is upset—it's about truly putting yourself in their shoes and responding with care, understanding, and support.
For children, developing empathy is crucial because it:
Strengthens relationships: Empathy helps kids connect more deeply with others, whether friends, family, or classmates.
Encourages kindness and compassion: When kids understand how others feel, they are more likely to act kindly and offer help when needed.
Resolves conflicts: Empathetic children are better at navigating social challenges and conflicts, as they can see multiple perspectives.
Enhances emotional intelligence: Being aware of others' emotions allows kids to better regulate their own emotions and respond thoughtfully in various situations.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Empathy Activity
This activity combines fun elements like call-and-response rhymes, breathing exercises, and affirmations to engage kids in learning about empathy. It’s designed to be interactive, reflective, and practical. Here’s how it works:
1. Call and Response: Empathy Rhyme
Start the activity by introducing the Empathy Rhyme. This call-and-response activity is a fun, musical way for kids to internalize the concept of empathy.
Empathy Rhyme:
Empathy means we try to understand
How others feel – are they gloomy or grand?
I listen close and put myself in their shoes
I feel what you feel and I’m here for you!
How It Works:
Read the rhyme aloud to the children, emphasizing the important ideas about empathy in each line.
Have the children repeat the rhyme with you, first as a group and then individually. Encourage them to act out the emotions described (gloomy, grand, happy, etc.) as they say the rhyme, helping them connect emotionally to the words.
Benefit: The rhyme helps kids remember the core message of empathy in a catchy, memorable way. The call-and-response format makes the lesson interactive and keeps kids engaged while reinforcing the idea that empathy means understanding others' emotions.
2. Breathing Technique for Empathy: Heartfelt Empathy Breathing
Next, guide the children through a calming breathing exercise designed to connect them with their own and others' emotions.
Heartfelt Empathy Breathing:
Have the children sit comfortably with their eyes closed.
Ask them to place their hands gently over their hearts.
Lead them in deep breathing:
Inhale deeply through the nose, imagining someone feeling joyful and happy.
Exhale slowly through the mouth while silently saying to that person, “I feel what you feel and I’m here for you.”
Encourage the children to try this with different emotions. For example:
Inhale while imagining someone feeling sad, and exhale saying, “I feel what you feel and I’m here for you.”
Inhale while imagining someone feeling angry, and exhale saying, “I feel what you feel and I’m here for you.”
Inhale while imagining someone feeling peaceful, and exhale saying, “I feel what you feel and I’m here for you.”
Benefit: This breathing technique not only helps kids calm, but also encourages them to tune into their own emotional state and the emotions of others. It’s a mindful practice that teaches children to respond with empathy, even when they’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how to help.
3. Empathy Affirmation: “I Feel What You Feel”
Affirmations are powerful tools for reinforcing positive behaviors and beliefs. In this step, you’ll help the children affirm their empathy skills.
Affirmation for Empathy:
“I feel what you feel and I’m here for you.”
Have the children repeat the affirmation aloud several times, either as a group or individually. You can also have them say the affirmation while placing their hands over their hearts, further reinforcing the connection between the words and their feelings.
Benefit: This affirmation encourages children to internalize the message of empathy, reinforcing the idea that showing empathy means truly being present for others, no matter their emotional state. It boosts self-awareness and strengthens emotional intelligence.
The Benefits of This Empathy Activity
Each part of this activity brings unique benefits that help children practice and internalize empathy:
Call and Response Rhyme: Provides an engaging, memorable way to introduce the concept of empathy. The interactive nature makes it fun while reinforcing the emotional connection to the idea.
Heartfelt Empathy Breathing: Offers a calming technique that helps children develop emotional awareness and mindfulness, making it easier for them to tune into their own feelings and the feelings of others.
Empathy Affirmation: Reinforces the practice of empathy and self-compassion, helping kids internalize the mindset of caring and understanding others.
By combining physical actions, verbal repetition, and reflection, this activity helps children connect with their emotions, understand the importance of empathy, and practice showing care for others in a tangible way.
At Home Empathy Challenge: “Empathy in Action”
To help kids put empathy into action in a fun and straightforward way, try this hands-on assignment:
Empathy in Action Challenge:
Complete Three Acts of Kindness: Over the next few days, challenge your child to complete three acts of kindness. These can be small and simple, like:
Helping a sibling with homework.
Sharing something with a friend.
Giving a compliment to someone they don’t usually talk to.
Asking a classmate if they need help or inviting them to join in an activity.
Record the Acts: Ask your child to write or draw in their journal about the acts of kindness they completed. They can answer questions like:
What did you do to show kindness?
How did the person you helped react?
How did it make you feel to help them?
Reflect on Empathy: After completing their acts of kindness, ask your child to reflect on how those actions might have made the other person feel. Did the person seem happier, more relaxed, or grateful? This helps them connect the idea of empathy with the positive effects of showing care.
Benefit: This activity encourages kids to practice empathy by taking real-world actions. It makes the concept of empathy tangible and teaches them that small gestures can have a big impact on others' emotions.
Final Thoughts
Empathy is a vital life skill that helps kids develop positive relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and contribute to a more compassionate world. By incorporating interactive activities like the empathy rhyme, breathing exercises, and affirmations, children can practice understanding and responding to emotions with care. And with the at home empathy activity, they’ll be able to continue practicing this important skill at home.
Empathy isn’t something we just teach once—it’s something we nurture every day. Through regular practice, we can help our kids become emotionally intelligent, compassionate individuals who are capable of creating meaningful connections wherever they go.
So, let's keep teaching, practicing, and spreading empathy—one breath, one rhyme, and one kind action at a time!
We have tons of videos for kids to grow at home and in the classroom that help reduce anxiety, depression and stress while simultaneously teaching important SEL and Mindfulness Skills.
Head to our YouTube channel to check them out!