{"id":856,"date":"2019-07-22T20:59:47","date_gmt":"2019-07-22T20:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/?p=856"},"modified":"2019-07-23T20:18:47","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T20:18:47","slug":"reading-empathy-a-bridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/reading-empathy-a-bridge\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading & Empathy: A Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Much has been said about how reading helps build vocabularies, surpass learning challenges and improve literacy in kids. But research also suggests a very different skill is key to their long-term happiness and success: empathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Teach Kids Empathy? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is empathy, and why is it so important? Volumes have been written on the subject, but in the simplest terms, it\u2019s the ability to recognize and relate to the feelings and perspectives of others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Fake Dictionary, Dictionary definition of empathy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As for why it\u2019s important, education psychologist Michele Borba wrote in her book, \u201cUnselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World, \u201c\u2026the ability to empathize affects our kids\u2019 future health, wealth, authentic happiness, relationship satisfaction, and ability to bounce back from adversity.\u201d Borba also argues that \u201cit is an effective anecdote to bullying, aggression, prejudice, and racism.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empathy make us kinder, happier people. But beyond that, it makes us better, more tolerant citizens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching Empathy With Books<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While humans are born hardwired with the capacity <\/em>for empathy, empathic abilities don\u2019t come naturally from birth\u2014they need to be taught, nurtured and practiced over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Being able to understand other perspectives is the essential gateway to empathy, and one powerful way to develop this important skill is through reading. According to professor of education Maria Nikolajeva<\/a> of Cambridge University, \u201creading fiction provides an excellent training for young people in developing and practicing empathy and theory of mind, that is, understanding of how other people feel and think.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study by Carnegie Mellon University<\/a> goes even further, showing that when people read fiction, they use the same regions of their brains as when perceiving action and movement in the real world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading is a proven, effective way to nurture your child\u2019s ability to recognize, value, relate to and have compassion for the feelings of others. Here\u2019s how you can use books to help them practice and translate this ability into their day-to-day interactions.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Role of Parents <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now that we know how vital it is to teach our kids how to empathize with others, here are a few tips on what you can do to make it a life-long part of your child\u2019s skillset:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick the Right Books<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for titles with relatable characters going through scenarios familiar to your child. There\u2019s a wealth of kids\u2019 books written with emotional development in mind. We recommend these five<\/span>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teach Vocabulary for Feelings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discussing what characters are feeling helps kids identify and share their own emotions. You can ask about characters\u2019 emotional states using simple words. For example: \u201cGoldilocks ate all that porridge. She must\u2019ve been hungry<\/strong>\u201d or \u201cWhen the bears found out the porridge was gone, they must\u2019ve been really mad.<\/strong>\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step Into the Character\u2019s Shoes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask thoughtful questions challenging your child to relate to characters\u2019 emotions, such as: \u201cWhat if this happened to you?\u201d \u201cHow would you feel in this situation?\u201d or \u201cHow do they feel right now?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raising caring, kind, resilient kids shapes how they relate and cope with people and situations for life\u2014from handling conflicts in the playground to one day raising empathetic children of their own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to set your child up for a lifetime of happiness, success and meaningful human connection? Check out these 5 books we recommend for encouraging kindness, inclusion and empathy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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