#learnempathy

A study 20 years in the making was recently released that found a definite link between children’s social and emotional skills in kindergarten and their successes in early adulthood. 

“Children who were helpful and shared in kindergarten were more likely to have graduated college and have a full-time job at age 25. The children who had problems resolving conflicts, sharing, cooperating and listening as kindergartners were less likely to have finished high school and college, and were more likely to have substance abuse problems and run-ins with the law.”

This study gives further validation to the importance of teaching your children empathy and empathy-related skills at a young age. 

1. Refrain from comparing and labeling siblings

2. Praise cooperative behavior and explain what cooperation means

3. Remind siblings that they are on the same team

4. Play cooperative games as a family

5. Make playing together a privilege

“98% of people…have the ability to empathise wired into their brains - an in-built capacity for stepping into the shoes of others and understanding their feelings and perspectives.The problem is that most don’t tap into their full empathic potential in everyday life.”

Check out this BBC article to discover more.

Check out this interview between Roman Krznaric and former Ku Klux Klan leader C.P. Ellis. Imagine the possibilities of the power of empathy if it can destroy the prejudices of a KKK member towards African Americans. Learn more from Roman’s blog: http://www.romankrznaric.com/outrospection/2015/06/23/3315