Can Empathy be taught in the school?

Empathy is a concerned response to another person’s feelings. It involves
thinking, feeling, and even a physical reaction that our bodies have when relating
to other people. It is not limited to this, but also includes taking care of and
valuing others.

Children and teenagers have the capacity to empathize with others, but that
capacity is not entirely innate. In fact, research has shown that about 10% of our
empathy is genetic, while the rest is learned and developed through our daily
interactions and environments. All school adults,bus drivers, cafeteria workers,
administrators, and others—play a role in helping students develop and display
empathy.

This shows us that empathy can be developed in students. Some of the ways
include the following:

Be a Living Example

Kids often learn by observing the adults around them, so teachers can
encourage students to practice empathy by modeling it themselves.

Encourage Students to Identify Characters’ Emotions in Literature,
Pictures, and Films

Learning to name and understand emotions in fiction can help students better
understand emotions in real life, including their own emotions.

One real-life example can be seen in Denmark, where empathy has been part of
the school curriculum since 1993. This approach has led to improved students’
mental well-being, reduced bullying, and helped Denmark remain consistently
ranked among the happiest countries in the world