October 16, 2022

Quote of the Week

"Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of 'you are not alone'."- Brene Brown

Developing Empathy

Developing empathy in the next generation is an important part of their growth and development. Simply put, empathy is the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, to see things from their point of view, and imagine yourself in their place. Essentially, it is “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.”

There are also research studies highlighting how empathic friends can provide the right kind of peer pressure. [Read More]

Reading Corner

Title: Be The Difference
By: Jayneen Sanders (Author), Cherie Zamazing (Illustrator)
For: 6-10+ years

This engaging book provides over 40 powerful ideas on how kids and the people who love them can make a difference. Using kid-friendly text and beautiful illustrations, the focus is on three key areas: empathy and kindness, racial and gender equality, and caring for the environment.
We know from research that 'doing good is good for you'. The participant benefits both mentally and physically. Encouraging a mindset of giving and being part of positive change when a child is young, benefits both the child and their future.
The aim of this book is to introduce kids to the many positive things they can do, both personally and collectively to make this world a kinder and more caring place. This book can be read over a number of sessions by children or to children by parents and caregivers, or integrated into a classroom setting.

Be the Change

Interview a teenager to find more about his/her dreams and aspirations in life and create visual representations of what you hear and learn. In this process, practice active and compassionate listening, put yourself in his/her shoes, and also share about it with at-least one person.