Teaching Kids About Empathy and Kindness

Hello, Prescott Northern community

Last week, took part in R U OK? Day here at school.

During the week students were provided with opportunities to focus on their emotional wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around them. During Chapel I had the privilege sharing with the students about how to show Kindness and Empathy to everyone.

This initiative highlights the importance of connection and community in promoting good mental health. The simple act of asking “Are you OK?” and listening with empathy can change lives. Originally founded to support vulnerable individuals, R U OK? Day is a valuable opportunity for everyone to foster kindness and understanding.

In our busy lives between school, home and work it is easy for us to feel disconnected at times from people around us. One reason people feel disconnected is that they struggle to express their emotions. When feelings stay bottled up, they can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression.

Can I encourage you to promote the practice of sharing your feelings and treating others with kindness. This will help your family to develop coping strategies and will strengthen their support network.

Ideas to do at home with your family that promote selfcare and emotional resilience:

How do you know when someone is not coping

Understanding when someone is struggling is a key part of emotional intelligence. R U OK? Day is a perfect opportunity to teach kids how to recognize signs that someone may be feeling sad or disconnected – but you can also do it any day.

Ask your child to think about how they behave when they are experiencing difficult emotions. Explain that people may withdraw, seem distracted, or become easily upset when they don’t feel their best. Recognizing these signals helps children offer support when their friends or classmates need it.

Talk about feelings:

For kids to feel comfortable sharing their emotions, they need to feel safe. Practicing active listening is one of the best ways to create this environment.

Make time to talk and listen to each other without distractions, take interest in what others are saying and feeling by giving eye contact and nodding, even if you don’t agree with them.

Showing acts of Kindness and Empathy

Small acts of kindness can have a big impact. Even if someone isn’t ready to talk about their feelings, showing kindness and being empathic can help them feel supported.

Encourage your child to take small steps to help others. This might include inviting a classmate to join a game at school, sharing a snack, or starting a conversation with someone who seems lonely. Simple gestures like these can make a difference in someone’s day.

Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Being kind often requires courage and strength. We can show kindness by saying a kind word, a smile, opening a door, or helping carry a heavy load can all be acts of kindness. Sending an email thanking someone, telling someone how s/he is special to you, helping an elderly neighbour with yard work or food, sharing homemade food, refusing to gossip, and donating old clothing and things you don't need are all ideas about how to practice kindness.

Kindness includes being kind to yourself. Do you treat yourself kindly? Do you speak gently and kindly to yourself and take good care of yourself?

Written by Ali Friedrich (School Counsellor), Reference acticle by Tutor Doctor