TEACHING CHILDREN,
EMPATHY,
THE SOCIAL EMOTION
Lessons, Activities and Reproducible Worksheets
(K-6) That Teach How to “Step Into Other’s Shoes”
By Tonia Caselman, Ph.D.
© 2009, 2007
YouthLight, Inc.
Chapin, SC 29036
All rights reserved.
Permission is given for individuals to reproduce pages as noted in this book.
Reproduction of any other material is strictly prohibited.
Cover Design by Amy Rule
Layout / Graphics by Amy Rule
Project Editing by Susan Bowman
ISBN 1-59850-014-7
Library of Congress Number
2006934786
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Printed in the United States
Worksheet 1.1
Definitions of Empathy
DIRECTIONS: Listed below are several definitions of empathy. Circle the one that
you like the most and then draw a picture below of yourself showing this to another
person.
1. The ability to “put yourself in someone else’s shoes”
2. The ability to understand other people’s feelings even though your feelings are different
3. The ability to be sensitive to others’ feelings
4. The ability to experience other people’s feelings
5. The ability to show caring behaviors towards others
THIS IS ME SHOWING EMPATHY
12 Copyright YouthLight, Inc.
Worksheet 1.2
what empathy looks like
(and Doesn’t look like!)
DIRECTIONS: Look at the children below. Decide which ones are considering other
people’s feelings and which ones are not. Write the names of the empathic people
at the bottom of the page. Then write why you think they are showing empathy.
It’s n hat
ot care w
that
he g fair Maria sounds sad. I don’t to
ets to u s a y. I get
and I need to be a yo !
I don go captain
’t! good listener. be the
Alberto Montoya Jennifer
Mo m r
This so I w doesn’t s o h appy fo
I’m
kid i l l re feel w u really
is so ’s report leave ad quietl ell you! Yo t award!
b o ri n ya ed tha
g! her a
lone. nd d e se r v
John Carol Marcus
List the names of the people who are showing empathy and how they are doing it:
_____________________ : _________________________________________________
_____________________ : _________________________________________________
_____________________ : _________________________________________________
Copyright YouthLight, Inc. 13
Worksheet 1.3
Empathy Grade Card
DIRECTIONS: Put an X in a box to the right of each statement that best describes
how well you do each one.
T
EN
O
OD
OR
LL
-S
GO
PO
SO
CE
EX
I ask people about their
feelings
I can tell what other
people are feeling by
the look on their face.
I can tell what other
people are feeling by
the tone of their voice.
I try to help people feel
better when I see that
they are sad.
I congratulate others on
their successes.
I can “put myself in
someone else’s shoes.”
I like to do nice things
for others.
I like to hear others’
point of view.
14 Copyright YouthLight, Inc.
Worksheet 1.4
World Without Empathy
DIRECTIONS: Imagine (but only for a short time because it’s not a pleasant
thought!) what the world might be like if people didn’t have empathy for one another.
Answer the following questions:
1. What might happen if there was no empathy in families?
2. What might happen if there was no empathy in the classroom?
3. What might happen if there was no empathy on the playground?
4. What might happen if there was no empathy driving on the streets?
5. Would you want to live in a world without empathy? Why or why not?
Copyright YouthLight, Inc. 15
Worksheet 1.5
The Secret of Success*
*Created by Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motors and developer of moving
assembly belts which made cars affordable to the average American.
DIRECTIONS: Using the Message Decoder at the bottom of the page, fill in the
blanks and find out what Henry Ford said about empathy.
“_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
9 6 19 8 5 17 5 9 18 1 14 23 15 14 5 18 5 3 17 5 19
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _a’ __ ____ __ ___
19 15 18 20 3 3 5 18 18 9 19 12 9 5 18 9 14 19 8 5
_______ __ ___ ___ _____
1 2 9 12 9 19 23 19 15 7 5 19 19 8 5 15 19 8 5 17
_ _ _ _ _ _a’ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
16 5 17 18 15 14 18 16 15 9 14 19 15 6 21 9 5 22 1 14 4
___ ______ ____ ___ _____
18 5 5 19 8 9 14 7 18 6 17 15 13 8 9 18 1 14 7 12 5
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.”
1 18 22 5 12 12 1 18 23 15 20 17 18
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y
16 Copyright YouthLight, Inc.
