I recently read a quote from author R. J. Palacio who wrote the book Wonder, “Empathy is something that is very difficult to teach, but it is something that can be inspired in children.” Now I haven’t read the book, but I do talk about having empathy for one another in my 3rd grade classroom. For the last few years, we have been using an anti-bullying program at All Saints Catholic Academy called Olweus. An objective of the program is to talk about having empathy for one another. When Mrs. Wilson told us two years ago that we needed to add this to the curriculum, I was honestly less than thrilled. Teaching kids about bullying is extremely important, but that wasn’t my initial thought. Great, one more thing to add to an already extremely full plate of lessons that needed to be done in 7 hours 5 days a week for 9 months of the year.
After I casually flipped through the book of lessons and topics- “Building a Positive Classroom Climate, ” “Identifying Feelings,” “Problem Solving” and so on, I thought well I better just jump right in. Teaching and talking to kids about bullying is a daunting lesson. You just have to put the issue right out there. Luckily, I teach 3rd graders. There is no shortage of sharing information. Bringing up the topic of bullying makes kids open up and speak about experiences they have had. In my experience, classmates are shocked at what others have heard, seen, or experienced themselves. Stories are shared, and comments and questions follow. They become acutely aware of one another beyond the classroom. This literally inspires empathy.
The innocence of a child whether a two-year-old or a ten-year-old is incomprehensible. Yet, this innocence is also a fascinating wisdom. They are wise enough to have empathy and innocent enough to not question it. Having empathy for one another is developed, but it is also natural. Even my two-year -old daughter says, “Aww, Mama, are you ok?” after I walk into the top cabinet door in our kitchen day after day. That is empathy. Empathy is the capacity to recognize emotions that are being experienced by another. Talking about empathy lends itself to the topic of bullying. Our anti-bullying lessons allow kids to listen to one another and feel for one another. They are empowered to stick up for one another and for themselves. It changes the atmosphere of my classroom.
The first week of school a student dropped the huge bin of markers and they went flying to every corner of the room. Only one or two kids got up to help pick them up. Moving into our second month of school, the same thing happened and now four or five kids jumped up to help pick them up. This is not only kindness, but it is empathy.
Did you know October is anti-bullying month? My timing on this was intentional. How do you see empathy in your children? Share them with us in the comments below.
Posted by Mrs. Curran, 3rd Grade
