Teaching children to get into someone’s shoes, feelings and situations is key to igniting the quality of empathy. The more we can use teaching moments to point out ways to empathize with others, the less bullying and by-stander silence there will be in our homes, schools and neighborhoods. Helping a child become more sensitive is a wonderful gift to that child and to human kind. “How would you feel if someone said that to you…” is a wonderful phrase that can ignite empathy. I believe that some people are more naturally gifted with this quality than others, but everyone’s awareness can be raised. Role playing, dramatic play, storytelling, social opportunities…all lend themselves to creating a more empathic human being. What a treasure! My multi-dimensional teaching concerts, “Peace Begins with You and Me,” “One World-Different and Same,” and “Peace Begins with You and Me-We’re Bully Free” all integrate approaches that reinforce the importance of personal and social sensitivity, and I would love to come to your area to offer one of my educational and interactive teaching programs.
