Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/teaching-empathy/5017992/
A child cries out the teacher’s name, a pile of blocks rest at his feet. Another child near by chants, “I‘m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”This is a familiar scene in a preschool classroom. One child apologizes to another about a wrong he committed as the skills of interactions and relationships are built. The work of early childhood educators has often been described as the work of building relationships: among children, between children and staff, and between staff and families. As teachers we have many opportunities to teach children about the role that their emotions play in helping them get along with others and having their needs met. Teachers have the challenge and the opportunity to positively affect children’s social-emotional development. When working with children and teaching these skills, it is important to understand that there is no separation of emotions from learning. During the early childhood years, children are capable of learning how to:
• use appropriate language in interactions with others
• make good choices
• demonstrate empathic behavior.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand another’s perspective and to consider it before acting. This is a difficult skill for a young child who is egocentric �" in the “Me!” stage. ...