Empathy
Give the definition of empathy.
Putting yourself in someone's shoes, seeing things from another person's point of view. understanding someone else's feelings
Mary said that she's really upset because she forgot her homework at home. What could you do to show empathy?
I'd listen to Mary to see how I could help. I'd say that I would be sad too if I did my homework and forgot it. I'd offer to help Mary talk to the teacher.
Tell about a time you felt stressed
TAKS test, parents are late picking them up, they have to do a presentation in front of other people, running a race, etc...
A classmate keeps getting teased and bullied on the playground. What should you do to show empathy?
A. You stay away so that you don't get teased. B. You join in with the teasing so you'll look cool. C. You stick up for your friend. D. You find another friend.
What is a word that might be used to describe a person who has a lot of empathy?
Kind, caring, understanding, sensitive, considerate
John is upset because Billy said, "Aw man!" when the teacher asked Billy to work with John. What could you do to show empathy to John?
I'd say, "Billy, that was not a kind thing to say. John's a great person and you should treat him with kindness." I'd offer to be John's partner. I'd say to John, "I'm sorry Billy said that to you. I'd be upset too if someone did that to me."
Your friend can't find her social studies homework. What can you do to show empathy?
A. Give her a compliment on her new haircut. B. You walk away so she can find it herself. C. You laugh at her. D. You help her look for it.
Tell about a time you displayed Empathy.
Student shares a story
Kathy won the Rodeo Art Contest out of all the kids in Tucson. What could you do to show empathy?
I'd say, "Wow Kathy! Congratulations on winning the contest! I'd be super excited if I were you too." "You are an awesome artist!" "That is so cool that you even beat all the kids in high school!"
What could cause someone to feel angry?
someone broke something of their's, they were made fun of, someone hit/kicked/hurt them, they had to miss recess, they were blamed for something they didn't do
Your best friend is really excited because he just got a really cool video game. It was a game that you had wanted. What could you say or do to show empathy?
A. You ask him if you can borrow it. B. You feel jealous so you change the subject so you don't have to talk about it. C. You go home and beg your parents to buy you one. D. You say, "That's great" and tell him he deserves getting such a cool game.
What does it mean to stand in someone else's shoes?
To try and understand their perspective, what is it like to be that person. Try to understand their feelings
Chris was determined to make a good grade on his spelling test so he studied every day after school for 45 minutes. He made an 89 on his spelling test. Stand in his shoes, how might Chris feel about this? What could you do to show empathy?
angry, upset, confused, shocked, sad, mad, embarrassed, ashamed, disappointed, proud, happy, hopeless, hopeful
Tell about a time you felt confident
they were given a compliment, other students wanted to be their partner, they won a race, they did a good job on their test or other work, etc...
Your friend is getting ready to go into the play-offs with her soccer team and she is pretty nervous. What can you say or do to show empathy?
A. You go hang out with another friend who is in a better mood. B. You say, "It's just soccer. Don't worry about it!" C. You tell her you understand how she feels because you were really nervous, too, before your big game last year. D. You tell her to "chill out and relax."
Give an example of Empathy in ACTION!
Understanding someone's feelings, but then DOING something to show you care.
Julio is really shy and feels so nervous to get up and talk in front of the class. He also learned English when he moved to the country a few years ago and doesn't feel that he can speak as well as the other kids in his class. How could you show empathy?
I'd tell Julio that I'd be nervous to speak in front of a lot of people too in a language that I just learned a few years ago. I'd ask Julio if he'd like to practice speaking with me so I could help him get more comfortable. I'd tell my teacher, with his permission, that he gets nervous and see if she has other ideas to help him.
Tell about a time you felt jealous?
Their parents give more attention to their brother or sister, they didn't win a game, someone else's parent came to eat lunch and their's didn't, their teacher picked someone else to be the leader, etc...
Your mother comes home from work stressed out from a hard day. What could you say or do to show empathy?
A. Invite some friends over. B. You set the table and help her get dinner ready. C. You whine about her being grumpy. D. You turn up the tv.