Compassion · Activity

All About Empathy

3rd & 4th Grade

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Activity: Watch the video about empathy. Guide a discussion about the action of empathy. Make a chart that looks like this: 

 

Title: “Stand in Someone Else’s Shoes”

 



































































The situationHow the person feels and what he or she needsWhat you could say or do to show empathy


 

Lead a discussion about different situations, especially the kind that they might experience, in which a person may need empathy. There are some examples in the video, so that’s a good place to start. Dedicate class time for a couple of weeks to have students share about situations they encounter in which empathy is needed and how it was or wasn’t provided. 

 

Materials needed: the “Stand in Someone Else’s Shoes” chart 

 

Directions: Show the video, and explain that the class will fill in the chart. Ask students to (1) share a situation from the video or from their own experience, (2) how the person might have felt and what they needed, and (3) what happened or could have happened to show empathy. Record their responses on the chart and post it. Leave space for future exercises. Repeat the lesson several times so that students can develop empathy. 

 

Wrap it up: The purpose of this activity is to understand more about what empathy is and practice it. It’s important to work on your ability to stand in someone else’s shoes. Use this life skill as much as possible when you’re faced with the challenge of relating to another person who is very different from you. Listen to them and see if you can stand in their shoes as you get to know them better. 
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