Tips for wellness from our Mental Health In Schools Team
“Empathy is about standing in someone else’s shoes, feeling with their heart, seeing with their eyes.” Daniel H Pink
Empathy
Empathy means feeling with someone, not just feeling sorry for them. It is one of the best ways to
be a kind friend and a good person. Empathy is not just noticing that someone is happy, sad, or
hurt—you’re trying to understand their feelings from their point of view and responding with
kindness.
Examples of when you could be empathetic:
Our tips for empathy:
- Pay attention to how people look and sound – are they happy, sad, or upset? Look for clues in
their body language to find out how they might be feeling. - Read a book or watch a TV show – pick a character in the book or show and imagine how that
character might feel. Do you think all the characters feel the same? Put yourself in their
shoes! Check out EmpathyLab’s #ReadForEmpathy book collection for ideas of what to read to build empathy. - Empathy drawing – if you like to get creative, you could try drawing a picture of how
someone else might feel in a certain situation (e.g., “a child who has lost their favourite toy”, “a
child who is starting a new school”). - Be kind with actions – even little things help – like sharing, listening, or giving a hug.
- Include everyone – invite others to play, join in, or sit with you. Notice if someone is standing
alone, sitting on a bench, or watching others play. - Kindness cards – consider making cards or notes for family, friends or classmates who might
need a boost!
Please contact [email protected] for information and advice about mental health and well-being for your child and your family.