How to Train Child Empathy To Be More Successful and Happy

Practicing child empathy is often forgotten, even though it is important to teach this to children from an early age. By teaching children empathy, it is hoped that they will have the ability to position themselves, understand the feelings of others, and control emotions well. Practicing empathy for children can be done from small things that are usually done. Everything you teach will affect your child's ability to behave, including in growing empathy for others.

Time and How to Train Children's Empathy

In general, new children can fully understand the concept of empathy at the age of 8-9 years. But at the age of 5 years, children can express feelings about how he wants to be treated, as well as how to treat others. At the age of 5 years, you can also start teaching children to recognize and manage their emotions so that empathy is formed. Here are some ways to practice empathy in children from 5 years of age:

• Teach children to recognize and manage emotions

Empathy requires managing one's own emotions, so it is important to teach children to recognize the emotions they feel. This is important so that children can more easily feel what others might feel. You can practice this by providing a set of stickers with basic emotional expressions, including sad, angry or happy faces. Every day, ask your child to choose one of the stickers that can describe their feelings. If possible, persuade him to tell the reason for the sadness, pleasure, or anger felt. By listening to the story, the child becomes aware of the caring attitude of others towards what he feels.

• Position the child as someone else

Training children to empathize can be done by inviting them to position themselves as other people. For example when a child seizes someone else's toy, ask how he feels when his toy is snatched away by his friend.

• Give an example of empathy

You can train your child's empathy by showing good behavior that other people have done for him. You can tell how the teacher's attitude towards him, when he first entered school. Tell the child the teacher's friendly attitude that makes him comfortable and can pass the first day of school well. By telling things like that, you can strengthen your child's understanding of other people's actions that can affect their emotions.

• Teach politeness children

At this age, you can train your child's empathy by teaching the value of politeness. Give him an understanding of the importance of showing care and respect for others. For example when a child wants something, teach him to say the word 'help'. Also teach the habit of saying 'thank you' after being given something by someone else.

• Involve children in charity work

Involving children in charitable activities can be done to train children's empathy. You can invite children to help pack clothes to donate, or invite children to choose their toys to give to others in need. Give understanding to children that the assistance provided can make other people happy.

• Introduce the role of others in his life

Explain the work of those around him, especially those that are often considered not very important, such as road sweepers or garbage collectors. Explain that if they are not there, garbage will accumulate on the streets and risk causing disease. From here he will learn to respect the presence of others who are often underestimated.

• Give praise

Give praise for the good attitude and actions, even if he did not do it. Say something like, "Wow, it is very nice of the person who helped the grandmother to cross the road." This can also be done while watching TV or reading stories at home. You can point to a character who is sad, then ask him, "What must he do so he is not sad?" So he understands that good deeds are praiseworthy actions.

• Be an example for children

Parents are role models for children, so it is important to set good examples, including in training children's empathy. When he makes a mistake or is angry, be firm. Remember that being assertive is different from being rude. In addition, acknowledge your mistakes. Even though it may feel difficult, apologize to your child immediately when you are wrong. That way, children will learn to realize that anyone can do wrong, but the most important thing is to dare to apologize.

Pay attention to the actions of children who are not commendable

Training children's empathy is not easy. You are advised to reprimand your child if he does something bad. If necessary, give consequences when he violates certain rules or regulations. Penalties that can be applied, among others, may not play with his favorite toys for one day. Adjust these consequences with the child's age and the actions he takes. Children's actions that parents need to pay attention to include:

• Be rude

Reprimand the child if he does things that lead to rude or rude attitude, for example spitting on his friend. Remind him not to imitate the disrespectful deeds of others. Avoid making exceptions for actions that are highly unacceptable, such as hitting, for whatever reason and regardless of location.

• Mocking or making fun

Remind Your Child not to greet his friends with unpleasant calls, especially with words that tend to make fun. Give an explanation that it includes bullying or harassment, which is a despicable nature. Invite him to imagine what if the situation happened to him.

Practicing empathy for children cannot be done instantly, because it takes time for children to understand and apply it. To be sure, parents must be a good example so that children can know how to behave and behave. If parents find it difficult, do not hesitate to take advantage of child psychology consulting services.