Empathy is, at its simplest, awareness of the feelings and emotions of other people. It is a key element of Emotional Intelligence, the link between self and others, because it is how we as individuals understand what others are experiencing as if we were feeling it ourselves. An example of empathy from a four year olds class. It was ship time with kitchen set. Each one started pretending to cook their favorite dish. Just then each child picked up a character.
Aliyah: I’m mamma
Veer (jumped in): Then I’m the papa
Amogh (volunteered): I can be the brother
Saanvi (did not pick a character, looked at Neel): Neel is the baby
Neel (disagreed vehemently): I’m not a baby
Amogh (explained patiently): But you’re so little, Neel
Neel (not really convinced): *quiet*
Saanvi (noticing Neel's reluctant face, empathized): Neel it’s just a pretend okay
Neel (now content, agreed): Okay
It is clearly visible how Saanvi put herself in Neel’s shoes, understood his emotional state and responded appropriately to it. it is only when we feel fully understood do we get convinced, else it takes a lot to accommodate everyone to truly collaborate and work together. When children learn such lessons early on in life, empathy becomes a skill they can practice and carry on with themselves for the rest of their lives.
Contributed by Grace Veronica, Facilitator, Sparkling Mindz Global Preschool
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