“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” ― Helen Keller

We gathered on Tuesday evening to engage in dialogue around the topic of growing empathy in young children.  It was a lovely evening and we thought we’d take a moment to capture our conversation and reflection, both for the families in attendance as well as for those who were unable to join us.  

What is empathy?…

“Connecting with someone”

“Someone being seen”

“Perspective”

“Being a good listener”

“Feeling what another is feeling”

Self Awareness, the ability to identify and label one’s own feelings and motivations

Other Awareness, the ability to appreciate that other people have feelings too.  These feelings may be similar or different to our own.

Perspective-taking, the ability to see things from someone else’s point of view

Empathy relies on an awareness of self, an awareness of others, and the ability to understand how the two interrelate.

Sharing with the children that their Moms and Dads talked with us about feelings in our meeting the night before, we wondered with them…

What do we mean by feelings?

“I’ve felt feelings.  All different feelings. Sad. Mad. Grumpy.”

CASE

“I’ve felt the same as Case.”  

TAIT

“Feelings come from your heart.”

LUCA

“Feelings come from your head.”

TAIT



Why do feelings happen?

“Other people make other people have them.”

CHARLIE N.