Four Steps That Turn Empathy Into Action


October 03, 2020


Quote of the Week

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted." --Aesop

Four Steps That Turn Empathy Into Action

Everyone knows that adversity can bring out the best in people. With schools closed across the globe, many students are responding in innovative ways to show empathy and compassion for others. Doing simple acts of kindness can reap big developmental rewards for young people, including growth in empathy, self-awareness, resourcefulness, and resilience. But the kind action itself is only one small part of the learning process. When parents and educators understand how empathy is psychologically channeled into compassionate action, children benefit. Four steps that turn empathy into action are represented by the acronym "FIDS" for Feel, Imagine, Do, and Share. Learn more in this week's featured article from Psychology Today and then watch and discuss this video together with your kids.

Reading Corner

Title: Horton Hears A Who!
By: Dr. Seuss
Recommended Ages: 4-9

One day Horton, with his very big ears, hears a tiny yelp for help coming from a speck. The other jungle animals don’t know what he’s talking about, and they want to destroy the speck. Thus begins Horton’s epic journey to save the Whos. This classic Dr. Seuss tale is such a great way to teach kids that kindness is persistent and that any person, or elephant, can stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. This was one of my favorite books as a kid, and I loved sharing it with my son, my niece, and many other children!

Be the Change

“In both my vocation at Robin Hood and my avocation as a volunteer firefighter, I am witness to acts of generosity and kindness on a monumental scale, but I’m also witness to acts of grace and courage on an individual basis. And you know what I’ve learned? They all matter.” This quote is from volunteer firefighter and activist Mark Bezos, who shares a story about how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in this short (4 mins) Ted talk. Watch it here and discuss with your family.