Teaching empathy to preschoolers

Daniel Asres, Preschool Teacher, shares advice for parents on the best methods to teach your preschool-age child empathy
Teaching Empathy to Preschoolers
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Teaching empathy to preschoolers

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Children seeing other children hurt and not showing empathy, is a very age-appropriate response. Reason being, empathy is a learned behavior for some children. Empathy is the understanding that someone else has emotions, someone else feels happy or sad and I can respond to that. They way to best show your child empathy, first and foremost, is modeling it. Model empathy in your own environment. Specifically, when your child is in a situation -- teachable moments -- where someone is hurt, and your child seems to just walk on by. Walk your child back and ask them, "Do you see what Johnny is feeling right now? Are they happy or are they sad?" Talk them through it. They will respond accordingly. By actually seeing somebody else hurt and connecting that to the emotions that they already see, that ties in empathy.

Daniel Asres, Preschool Teacher, shares advice for parents on the best methods to teach your preschool-age child empathy

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Daniel Asres

Preschool Teacher

Daniel Asres has lived in the greater Los Angeles for 36 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, with emphasis in Sociology and Education from the University of California, Riverside. Daniel’s great love and passion remains in educating children. Daniel is the Assistant Director at Little Dolphins Preschool for five years and counting. He has taught early education for over 12 years and was the Director of an Enrichment Program for three years. Daniel's hobbies include traveling, writing, painting and all things sports.  

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