Teaching Empathy in the Classroom: Preparing the Compassionate Leaders of Tomorrow

Empathy is more than a feeling; it’s a crucial skill for fostering understanding and connection in a diverse world. Participate Learning’s Global Leaders framework highlights empathy as one of the core global competencies necessary for students to grow into compassionate leaders prepared to engage thoughtfully with others in any career. Here, we explore why empathy is an essential career readiness skill and strategies educators can use to teach it and effectively create an empathetic classroom environment.

Why Teaching Empathy Matters

Empathy allows students to understand and share the feelings of others. It cultivates a sense of connection and helps build inclusive communities. When students practice empathy, they learn to appreciate diverse perspectives and navigate social complexities with greater ease. Empathy not only enhances interpersonal relationships but also prepares students to tackle global challenges and excel in their future careers.

This blog series delves into each of our 10 global competencies, offering a comprehensive look at the skills and mindsets students need to become career-ready global leaders. Download our free Global Competency Chart to display in your classroom and foster meaningful learning experiences. 

How to Teach Empathy to Students

1. Model Empathy in Everyday Interactions

Teachers set the tone for their classrooms. Demonstrating empathy through active listening, thoughtful responses, and supportive feedback shows students how to interact considerately. For example, when a student shares a personal challenge, acknowledging their feelings and offering support reinforces empathetic behavior.

2. Incorporate Literature and Storytelling

Stories are powerful tools for teaching empathy. Books and narratives featuring diverse characters and experiences allow students to explore different perspectives. For instance, Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson offers a poignant lesson on the ripple effects of kindness and regret, while Wonder by R.J. Palacio encourages students to reflect on inclusion and compassion through the lens of a boy with facial differences. Reading and discussing stories that highlight emotional experiences helps students connect with characters and consider how they would feel in similar situations.

3. Engage in Role-Playing Activities

Role-playing exercises offer students a safe space to step into someone else’s shoes. These activities encourage them to think about how others might feel in various scenarios, such as resolving a conflict or making a group decision. For example, this “In Your Shoes” activity uses empathy to explore social awareness by providing insight into the perspectives of different people. Another version involves shoeboxes with scenarios taped inside, allowing students to engage with real-life situations. This experiential learning deepens their understanding of empathy in action.

4. Create Classroom Norms Around Empathy

Establishing a culture where empathy is valued encourages students to practice it regularly. For instance, one resource in the Global Leaders Classroom Toolkit is a “cheers and chants menu.” To celebrate someone showcasing empathy, hold up three fingers on each hand to form the letter “W” on each side of your mouth. Shape your mouth into an “O” and silently mouth “WOW!” Setting norms such as “listen with respect” and “speak with kindness” ensures a supportive environment where every student feels heard and valued.

Foster a classroom culture rooted in empathy and shared values by downloading our free Global Leaders Class Contract, a tool to help establish classroom norms that foster empathy, respect, and kindness, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment for all.

5. Encourage Reflective Discussions

Regularly inviting students to reflect on their actions and the feelings of others helps solidify empathetic thinking. Simple questions like “How do you think they felt?” or “What could you do to support them?” prompt students to consider the impact of their behavior.

How Empathy Prepares Students for the Future

Teaching empathy equips students with essential career readiness skills. It enhances their ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts. Moreover, empathy helps students develop a global perspective, understanding how their actions can impact others in their community and beyond.

By integrating empathy into daily teaching practices, educators can nurture a generation of thoughtful, compassionate leaders ready to make a positive difference in the world.

Empathy isn’t just a classroom lesson; it’s a lifelong journey. Start building empathetic classrooms today to cultivate career-ready global leaders for tomorrow.

Join the Conversation

We’re excited to see how you’re helping your students develop as empathetic leaders. Share your activities and lessons on social media using #UnitingOurWorld, and tag us @ParticipateLrng.

Explore how you can implement global education in your school and prepare students for a successful future with Participate Learning’s Global Leaders framework. For more information on our global competencies, check out the other posts in this series.

This post was originally published on February 2, 2024, and has been updated.