Empathy is the ability to put yourself in the shoes of someone else and understanding what they are feeling or experiencing.
Developing an understanding of what others are feeling, how their actions can impact on others, and why someone might be experiencing feelings at a particular time is a valuable life skill for children to possess.
Building a sense of empathy is an important developmental process for children, it can benefit them not only in childhood but in their adult life as well.
✨ It helps them to build a sense of security and stronger relationships with others.

✨ It encourages tolerance and acceptance of others.

✨ It promotes good mental health.

✨ It promotes social harmony, helping tendancy and can reduce the likelihood of bullying.

✨ They learn to regulate their own emotions.
HOW TO DEVELOP EMPATHY IN CHILDREN:
🌈 Parents are children’s first and most enduring teachers, we can be a good role model by acknowledging and valuing others’ feelings, sympathy when someone is sad, upset, distressed, frustrated or in need of help.When children show negative emotions, acknowledge how they feel. Provide nurturing until they signal they are OK to move onto something else.
🌈 Young children sometimes need help understanding what they are feeling, so label the emotion for them. For example, if they are crying, say: “You seem upset. How can I help?”.

Helping your child to name their feelings, as understanding their own feelings is an important first step in understanding the feelings of others.
🌈 Talking to your child about how other people may be feeling, and why. This helps to build their emotional language and think about other people’s perspectives.
🌈 Caring for animals and plants, which helps children understand the role they play in helping another living being.
🌈 Perhaps one of the simplest ways to help children develop a sense of empathy is by reading books together, as children learn to associate feelings and actions with their favourite characters and stories.
❤️Remember, empathy is a complex skill and will continue to develop across your child’s life❤️ #empathy  #responsiveparenting  #gentleparent  #gentleparenting  #responsiveparent