WHY TEACH EMPATHY? BRITISH COUNCIL

To mark World Refugee Day on 20 June 2015, the British Council's Emily Reynolds looks at why empathy is so important and how teachers can help children develop the ability.

What it means to empathise

"How would I respond if I were in that situation? What's it like to be in that person's shoes? To ask such questions is to empathise: to look at the world from another person's point of view; to share that person’s feelings and emotions.

You can probably think of lots of examples from your own life. Remember that person at work who started to turn up late or miss deadlines? Perhaps you found out about a problem they were having in their personal lives and, understanding their needs and feelings in this situation, offered to help. Perhaps out of this came friendship."

http://www.britishcouncil.org/blog/why-teach-empathy