Why Empathy Is So Important:

Television shows / cartoons and video games that involve violence give children practice ignoring empathetic feelings. Too much of that kind of practice and children can have a difficult time developing empathy.

Empathy is the ability to understand the world from another person’s point of view AND motivation to treat another kindly based on that understanding. Some have suggested that motivation to treat another kindly happens because an empathetic person actually feels another’s feelings. Empathy is necessary for caring behavior.

Empathy has an emotional and a thinking component. To have empathy means to feel another's feelings (pain, sorrow, joy and other emotions). To have empathy one must also understand intellectually.

Empathy is the cornerstone of ability to love, and therefore empathy is at the core of good character.

*A form of good practice you can try at home:
Create concrete ways for children to demonstrate empathy such as a "helping basket" with tissues, Band-Aids, and other items children can use to help someone else feel better.

***Don’t expect empathy every time. Young children are still learning how emotions work, and how people get along with others. Encourage empathy, but don’t expect perfection.

**On the other hand, some parents wonder if their child is too empathic. There are children who can easily pick up the feelings and thoughts of others as they unconsciously reach into human and spirit energy fields to gather information and understand things around them. Seeing with their spiritual eyes, feeling with their spiritual senses, hearing with their spiritual ears - this can be draining, confusing and emotional for a child. As parents, teachers, and counselors, we need to teach children how to properly use this empathic gift. Empathic kids need someone they can talk to. They need information on how to keep their auras clear, to open and shut their intuitive abilities at will, and set energetic boundaries. **The Care & Feeding of Indigo Children by Doreen Virtue is a worthwhile read for all parents.

XOXOXOXO