In a world that can feel very divisive, it’s more important than ever for parents to promote empathy in their children. Here are 3 strategies to suggest to parents:

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1. Talk about feelings. Theirs, their child’s, even the characters in a book. Research shows that a strong emotion vocabulary supports empathy.
2. When someone acts in a way that is hard to understand, try using the phrase, “I wonder what is going on with them.” This supports perspective taking and leads to greater empathy.
3. Find ways to emphasize what people have in common, not just what separates us. Helping children (and adults) to see what we share, grows connection.