According to the definition of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, empathy is the ability to identify with someone. That is, put yourself in the other person's shoes, think about how you might feel and be able to accompany your feelings. Empathy is not a trait that all human beings share, there are more empathetic people, people who have a facility to suffer with the evil of others.
But why is this so? That is, why are there people who are more sensitive to other people's feelings? It may be a matter of education, empathy it is one of the human virtues that we must teach children since we were kids. But recent studies have shown that empathy also contains a percentage of a genetic component.
But that percentage is minimal, only 10%. In addition, it has not yet been determined what factors favor a person having that percentage of empathy between their genetic chain. Therefore, it is essential to educate since childhood. The world needs human empathy, to be a better place where we can all reside. Because even animals are empathic beings to a greater or lesser extent.
The importance of empathy in children
As we have already mentioned, empathy is the ability to put yourself in the place of others, to share your feelings. Therefore, is essential for the development of children. Through empathy, children can learn to understand themselves better, it will help them understand that they are not the only thing that happens in the world.
It is important for children to learn not to be self-centered. They must know the importance of valuing other human beings, whether or not they are the same as them.
Which is very positive for a child's emotional development, both for his childhood and for the rest of his life. You will be able to relate better with other people, to establish selfless and healthier friendships. So educating empathy in children will be essential for them to grow up as safe people, with the ability to recognize the suffering of others, and act accordingly. And that will make them outgoing, confident, popular, and successful people.
How educate empathy In the kids
In order to educate children in any facet, the main thing is to set an example. Fathers and mothers are mirrors where the acts and personalities of our children are reflected. Therefore, encourage your empathy in everyday situations, so that your children can understand, based on examples, what it consists of that ability.
Take advantage of when they have a bad behavior with you to show them that they have harmed you. Talk to your little ones and explain that what they have done has hurt and why. Make them see how would they feel If you are the person who loves them the most in the world, you do something that hurts them. Empathy is about putting yourself in the place of others, teach them with examples.
Teach your children the ability to listen to others, starting with listening to them yourself. Children are people with their own feelings and their own personality. They need you to listen to them, so if there is a conflict over something that happened at home, show your empathy for them. Listen to what they have to say, put yourself in their shoes, and show them that you really understand their feelings. You will be giving them a valuable example that empathy does not go with age.
In addition, you will teach your children to better express their emotions. Children when they are very young show their feelings through tantrums. So working on empathy, the child will be able to name what he feels at each moment. It will help them recognize their feelings and express them, whether it be anger, sadness, joy, or grief. You will be able to communicate better with your children, as they will have greater confidence in you.