Compassion and Empathy
What does it mean to show compassion/be compassionate?
When you SEE someone in need, CARE about their feelings and DO something to show you care.
Name an event that could cause you to feel sad or upset?
getting a bad grade, being ignored on the playground, losing a race, forgetting your lunch, etc...
How would the following person feel? A player on your basketball team missed the last shot and the other team won the game.
embarrassed, sad, mad, angry, disappointed
What could you say to show compassion? Your friend was upset because he/she didn't get the gift that he/she really wanted for his/her birthday.
You still got some nice things. Maybe you can ask for it for Christmas. We can find other things to do when we hang out. There is probably a good reason that your mom was not able to get it for you.
True or False: You only need to use your EYES (to see and watch what others are doing) to understand someone's perspective or point of view.
False
Use your EARS to hear and listen to what they are saying.
Use your VOICE to ask what they are thinking or feeling.
Use your HEART to think about a time you felt the same way.
Use your MIND to imagine what it would feel like to be in their place.
True or False: It's always easy to care about and understand other people's feelings.
False
How would you feel if your dog ran away from home and you couldn't find her.
sad, upset, depressed, frustrated, angry
How would the following person feel? A student is constantly getting teased on the bus for being chubby.
depressed, embarrassed, sad, angry, mad, furious
What could you say to show compassion/empathy? Your classmate forgot his/her homework at home and is very upset because they lost points.
I'm sorry that you forgot your work. I understand how you feel. I was upset to when I lost points before too. Maybe you can try to do some extra credit.
True or False: Empathy and Compassion are important skills that you can grow with practice.
True
How would the following person feel? Jennifer won the Spelling Bee and received a trophy.
Excited, happy, proud, thankful, surprised
What could you say to show compassion/empathy? Your sister has a huge mess in her room that her friends left.
This stinks. I'll help you clean this up. I know how a messy room bothers you. Can I help you? I'd be upset too if my friends made a mess in my room and didn't clean it up.
What does it mean to "put yourself in someone else's shoes?"
Showing empathy by trying to understand how someone else feels.
What feelings make you clench your muscles?
angry, frustrated, irritated, annoyed, etc...
How would you feel if you had a sister or brother that always others made fun of your friends.
angry, mad, upset, sad, embarrassed
How would the following person feel? A girl in your class was chosen to sing a solo in the school musical and she went blank in front of the entire audience.
embarrassed, shocked, nervous, shy, sad, upset, disappointed
What could you say to show compassion? Your friend didn't get to go to the school store first and the item they wanted to buy is no longer there.
I'm sorry you didn't get to what you wanted. I know you were really hoping to, but maybe you can find something else. There's a lot of other good things to chose from. I can help you look.
Empathy + __________ = Compassion
Action
How would you feel if you had waited all week to go see a new movie with your friend but your parent said you couldn't go.
Hurt, upset, sad, mad, angry, furious, jealous, disappointed
How would the following person feel? A boy in your class never understands what the teacher is teaching and can't get good grades like the other students.
Jealous, embarrassed, upset, angry, frustrated, ashamed, sad
What could you say to show compassion/empathy? Your friend was nervous to read in front of the whole class and started stuttering. Everyone started to laugh.
Stop laughing! We'd all be nervous too. Take a deep breath! I know you can do it! I'd have a hard time reading in front of all these people too. I know it's hard to get in front of a big group.