Social Emotional Learning Part Six: Teaching Empathy to Inspire Change

by | Jun 26, 2020 | Resources | 0 comments

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June 26, 2020

In this final piece of our six-part Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) series we explore the topic of empathy. A topic which, in many ways, in the culmination of all aspects of SEL we have covered. Kindness, Acceptance, Friendship, Respect, Growth-Mindset, and others, all are rooted in empathy. Can you have respect without feeling empathy or working towards mutual understanding? Can you grow and change without the curiosity of understanding another’s circumstance? In the other direction, can you feel empathy without kindness or acceptance?

Empathy is not only understanding another humans experience or feelings, it is also a desire to learn to understand their experience.

So how can we impact change? Let’s start with empathy.  It is what we are striving to grow daily at SolBe. In every interaction, with every child, with every family…Starting with the kids and spreading in our community, our state, and our country.

How do we introduce Empathy in Social-Emotional Learning?

Each of the SEL traits we have covered is deeply linked. It is important to understand these characteristics are not developed in siloed interactions or activities; they all come together in a moment-by-moment learning soup!

As early as infancy and then onward, the process of learning empathy has been tied to expression modeling. What is the tone in your voice in a certain interaction your child is observing? How about your facial expression, your body language or gestures? Our youngest citizens are wired to imitate. As adults, caretakers, and educators we need to be conscious of the impact of our actions. Which leads me to my next point…  

Modeling, modeling modeling

I have said it before and will continue to soapbox this one. Your kids see you. They hear you. If we act with integrity, from a place of kindness and growth, our children will imitate our behaviors. This does not mean being perfect! However, it does mean acknowledging challenges or mistakes (remember back to the growth mindset piece). Encourage your child to “be a helper”. Talk to them. Ask them questions about their day, about their friends, about their experiences.

Three ways to help foster growth:

The resource listed below from the Making Caring Common Project gives three tips for developing empathy at home:

  • “Know your child. Ask your child questions. For example, what did you learn today that was interesting?”
  • “Demonstrate empathy for others, including those different from you.”
  • “Engage in self-care and self-reflection.”

Books to Pair:

Helpful Resources:

More resources to follow in the coming days. Feedback and more ideas welcome!

Above all, be well and stay healthy!

The SolBe Team


Be Supported

We’ve felt the uncertainty that occurs when our children are in the care of someone else. At SolBe, we know you will always be your child’s first teacher; we’re here as a knowledgeable partner in your child’s education.

From our experience, children rise to the intellectual life of those around them, so we are committed to growing as individuals and as a team. You can count on us to provide a warm and engaging learning experience for your little one.

Be Inspired

We’ve spent thousands of hours in classrooms that either overstimulate, underwhelm, or actively prevent educators from delivering the highest-quality education and care. At SolBe, you’ll go beyond the traditional four-walled classroom.

Our award-winning, inventive and uplifting learning spaces stimulate the senses and instill feelings of home-like safety and comfort. They allow for your child’s, and our educators’, changing needs and emotions. They create room for wonder—for learning, and living, outside the lines.

Be Immersed

We’ve seen what’s lost when things are done the way they’ve always been done before. SolBe is an adaptive Spanish exposure program that refuses to accept the status quo.

Our inventive practices grow from the shoulders of giants, with roots in the Reggio Emilia approach, the Montessori method, and well-researched cognitive disciplines that attend to the whole child. We create opportunities to develop character attributes that your child will benefit from for a lifetime. Collaboration. Communication. Independence. Healthy risk-taking. Critical thinking. Emotional awareness. Resilience. Intellectual curiosity. Creative innovation. An authentic love of life and learning.

Be Well

We know what it’s like to forget to feed ourselves—physically, mentally, and emotionally. At SolBe, we understand it’s impossible for you to pour from an empty cup. And we do what we can to keep your cup full.

Our learning ecosystem is designed with children and educators—and you—in mind. Seed-to-table nutrition program. Yoga and mindfulness. An all-inclusive experience so you don’t need to worry about finding time to provide meals, diapers, or wipes (unless you want to). Evening and weekend family programs.