Empathy Paves The Way to Friendship

"He who buys what he does not need will soon have to sell the things he does."
–Yugoslavian proverb

EMPATHY PAVES THE WAY TO FRIENDSHIP

In a column from the Parenting Exchange Library, "Empathy Paves the Way to Children's Friendship Skills," Karen Stephens explains to parents how friendship skill building starts in the earliest years:

"Although children start out life with a singular vision, that outlook changes quickly. Compassion for others is first nurtured when children receive care from sensitive adults who respond quickly to an infant's basic needs. In those supportive conditions, children's capacity for empathy blooms, even during the earliest months of life. For instance, babies in infant centers often cry in response to the tears of another child. Certainly, the babies don't know why another is crying. Yet they are sensitive to the cues that someone is experiencing tension and they respond in kind. Recognizing distress is a step children must accomplish before they can respond with sympathy."   

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