What is Empathy? (And why it is an important skill for you)
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It means imagining how someone else might be feeling in a certain situation, even if they do not say anything about it.
For example, if a new student joins your class and they seem quiet or unsure, empathy allows you to recognise that they might be feeling nervous or lonely. When you understand this, you can choose to be kind and welcoming, which can make a big difference to how they feel.
Empathy is an important skill because:
- It helps you build strong and positive friendships.
- It allows you to support others when they are finding things difficult.
- It creates a more caring and respectful school community.
- It encourages understanding between people, even when they are different from you.
Empathy is not just about understanding how someone feels. It is also about taking kind actions to support them. For example, if you notice someone sitting alone at lunch, you could invite them to join you. This small act of kindness can help them feel included and valued.
The more often you practise empathy, the easier it becomes. By paying attention to how others might be feeling and thinking about how you can help, you are developing a valuable skill that will benefit you and those around you, both now and in the future.
