Empathy... is it Necessary to Teach in the Classroom?

Empathy… is it our job to teach students how to be empathetic? If so, how do we teach empathy? Why is it important to teach empathy? The answer to these questions… YES. It is important to teach students to be empathetic and why empathy is an important social skill. Why? Because without empathy, students will not understand, accept, show kindness or respect towards one another.

One way to foster empathy within the classroom is by creating a community class. A community class is not only a positive environment that will enhance learning, but a place to practice important social skills. A community class collaborates with one another, is comfortable in taking risks, includes zero judgement and cheers one another on. As teachers create a community class and implement these ideas, students will learn to be empathetic because all of these components of a community class require students to use empathy in their daily interactions.

On top of creating a community classroom, it is important to continue the discussion of why empathy is important. Although we may teach a lesson on being kind, showing empathy, being a friend, etc., we still need to promote these social skills and characteristics within the classroom daily. One way to do this is to begin the year with a conversation and creating a set of rules/policies. In doing this, students will be reminded every day to practice empathy.

Another way to teach empathy within the classroom is to use scenario based questions, videos or read alouds that present topics or issues in which students may be unfamiliar with. Ask your students how it made them feel and why. In doing this, students will learn to take other’s feelings into consideration and will learn to react to adversity, difficult situations and/or new situations. Allow students to converse with one another to share their views and thoughts. This will allow for students to reflect on their feelings with another point of view.

Although controversial, discussing stereotypes and bias within the classroom is beneficial to students as they learn to be empathetic. Teachers can use stereotypes and bias to teach students to reject these things and to promote using empathy. This week’s class discussion included using the movie ‘Zootopia’ to teach rejection of stereotypes and bias. If you are unfamiliar with ‘Zootopia,’ the movie is a cartoon involving a female rabbit who aspires to become a police officer although her family does not believe she can. Other officers do not believe in her either. The film depicts possible stereotypes and bias against women and police officers. This film may be a good resource to use in order to teach empathy and the rejection of stereotypes and bias.

Discussing stereotypes and bias in the classroom may cause controversy, but it is important to effectively and appropriately communicate with parents to discuss learning intentions of discussing these topics. The teacher’s job in discussing these topics is not to force one’s own views on students, but to promote empathy and the rejection of stereotypes and bias. As students discuss stereotypes and bias, they may also identify and reflect on their views of certain situations and people.

All in all, there are many ways to promote empathy within the classroom daily. The conversation about empathy should continue throughout the year in order for students to gain understanding and skill of being empathetic. As teachers, it is absolutely our job to promote empathy within the classroom.