Resources to Teach Empathy (Part 2)

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Earlier this month I posted “7 Tips to Teach Empathy,” where I discussed the importance of empathy and how we have started teaching this value to our toddler. Empathy is a complex emotion for a toddler (and some adults) but the foundation starts during early childhood.

When researching “7 Tips to Teach Empathy,” I ran into so many great resources. Also, I had great conversation and shared ideas with our local experts Patti, Michael, and Cathy at East Childcare Resource & Referral Center.

Following is a categorized breakdown and description of resources for children, parents, and educators (note: the lists are ordered by preference and a (*) indicates that you can find them at Knox County Libraries!):

Our Personal FAVORITE Reading List:

These books are for readers 0-8 and will help make it easier to illustrate empathy–they celebrate the journey to find oneself, friendship, uniqueness, and the importance of caring for one another.

  • Llama Llama and the Bully Goat (Anna Dewdney): this book teaches the warning signs of a bully, healthy confrontation, and alternatives to being mean.*
  • Tyrannosaurus Wrecks (Sudipta Bardan-Quallen): this is a new favorite that is all about a clumsy dinosaur and how he seeks acceptance…great illustrations!*
  • Little Blue Truck (Alice Shertle): this classic teaches the value of lending a helping hand.*
  • Snuggle the Baby (Sara Gillingham): a perfect interactive book to teach how to care for someone smaller.
  • Bad Bye, Good Bye (Deborah Underwood): an odd inclusion on the list, but my kid struggles with the main character as he copes with grief due to moving cross country. *
  • Gaston ( Kelly DiPucchio): a bulldog and poodle learn that family is about love, not appearances*
  • Hug Machine (Scott Campbell): all about a little boy hugs everything!
  • Taking a Bath with the Dog and Other Things That Make Me Happy (Scott Menchin): a book that will help your kid(s) explore what makes them smile.
  • The Pout Pout Fish (Deborah Diesen): can Pout Pout Fish’s friends turn his frown upside down?
  • It’s OK to Make Mistakes (Todd Parr): a quirky book about oddness and how making mistakes is how you learn.*
  • Mouse was Mad (Linda Urban): mouse struggles with how to express his anger, seeks advice from forest friends, but in the end learns his own way.*
  • I have a Little Problem Said the Bear (Heinz Janisch): a book about how everyone has great advice but no one listens to bear.*
  • Are you Ready to Play Outside (Mo Willems): a beginner-reader full of authentic emotions and how opposites can make great friendships.*

PARENTS:

  • Roots of Empathy: Changing the World Child by Child (Mary Gordon & Daniel J. Siegel)
  • The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind (Daniel J. Siegel &Tina Payne Bryson)*
  •  The Whole-Brain Child Workbook: Practical Exercises, Worksheets and Activities to Nurture Developing Minds (Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson)
  • Playful Parenting (Lawrence J. Cohen)*
  • The Art of Rough Housing: Good Old Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Needs It (Anthony T. DeBenedet & Lawrence J. Cohen)*
  • Born for Love: Why Empathy Is Essential and Endangered (Bruce D. Perry & Maia Szalavitz)
  • Emotional Intelligence (Daniel Goleman)*
  • Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boy (Dan Kindlon & Michael Thompson)*
  • Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood (William Pollack)*
  • Boys Will Be Boys: Breaking the Link Between Masculinity and Violence ( Myriam Miedzian)*

EDUCATORS (and parents,,,):

If you have favorite books, videos, curricula, ideas…please share in the comments. 

I am very interested in continuing learning about this topic for all ages of youth.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Yay Lisa! Great article. I love this topic (I’m a School Counselor so it’s very relevant to both my personal and professional life) and am reading the Whole-Brain Child right now! Great to see you yesterday and I look forward to more blog posts from you.

    • Elizabeth…thanks for the feedback! It is good to know you found this useful to your work. I will keep thinking about this topic and how to write follow-up posts. Great to see you too!

  2. You’re a great mama, and that wee one is lucky to have a such a kind considerate human being as his role model. I know many adults whom could stand a lesson or two in this arena. He will be ahead of the game.

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