|
<<
back to EMPATHY/SYMPATHY topics
What forms do empathy and sympathy take as children develop?
Although signs of empathy and sympathy in children
will be small at first, teaching these skills from the start leads
to big differences in attitudes as children get older.
Infants
Many infants become distressed when those around
them are upset. This is because an infant cannot tell himself apart
from anybody or anything else. A young baby will experience another's
distress as his own, which is why one infant cries in response to
another's tears.
Toddlers
Beginning around 12 months of age, children
begin to realize that someone else's discomfort or distress is different
from their own, but they still notice and react to it. In toddlers,
empathy and sympathy might take the form of trying to comfort others.
A toddler might bring a friend who is crying a toy or blanket, or
he might offer a hug to someone who seems upset.
Early preschool
During the early preschool years, children
not only are able to recognize distress in others, but they have
the vocabulary and ability to understand why someone else is upset
or sad. They can name the emotion, suggest a cause, and try to help.
Elementary school
During the elementary school years (starting
around 6 years of age), children can see things from someone else's
perspective, not just their own. As their language skills increase
overall, they are better able to describe others' feelings and to
respond to them. Your child may say, "Kenny was sad, so I asked
him to play with me on the playground," or "Grandma was
happy when I gave her my picture."
Late childhood
In late childhood (10 to 12 years of age) children
can feel empathy and sympathy for people beyond their immediate
radius of friends and family. For example, your child may express
sympathy for strangers who are less fortunate and feel motivated
to help them in some way.
Signs of growing empathy and sympathy
As you nurture your child, you should see signs
that your child is beginning to understand his own and other people's
emotions. Some signs of growing empathy and sympathy include:
- showing sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others.
- correctly reading others' nonverbal cues, such as gestures,
body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice
- recognizing when someone is distressed and responding appropriately
- tearing up or looking upset when someone else is distressed
- acting concerned when someone is treated unfairly or unkindly
- willing to understand someone else's point of view
- verbally identifying someone else's feelings
There are many ways to encourage empathy and
sympathy in your child. See Building
Empathy and Sympathy for more information.
|
