EMP ATHY Empathy is the ability to put

EMP ATHY

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

Empathy has 3 critical components: 1. Nonjudgmentally taking another person’s perspective 2. Understanding their feelings 3. Being able to communicate this understanding

Receiving Empathy When I’m having a hard time or my feelings are hurt and I share my feelings with someone, I like that person to…

Giving Empathy When someone is having a hard time or their feelings are hurt, and they share what they’re feeling with me…

Empathy looks different for everyone and is a personal experience.

An empathy miss is when you mess up or get empathy wrong.

CIRCLE BACK

I agree to practice empathy, mess up, circle back, clean up, and try again.

Empathy is important because it… • Forms the foundation of cooperative and prosocial behaviour • Fuels social connection • Communicates cohesion • Creates a braver and safer classroom space

Empathy Misses You may get empathy wrong and that’s okay. When this happens, acknowledge the miss and ask to circle back.

In small groups, make a skit and share a brief explanation about your assigned empathy miss. TURN… YOUR

Instructions • • A skit to demonstrate the empathy miss A request to circle back An accurate representation of empathy A brief definitional explanation

EMPATHY VS. SYMPATHY

Empathy Misses Empathy vs. Sympathy • Responds with sympathy • I feel so sorry for you • Rather than empathy • I get it, I feel with you, and I’ve been there

THE GASP & AWE

Empathy Misses The Gasp and Awe • Feels shame on your behalf • Gasp and tell you how horrified you should be • OMG, I can’t believe you did that • Feel the need to make the other person feel better

THE MIGHTY FALL

Empathy Misses The Mighty Fall • Sees you as perfect • Feels disappointed or let down by your imperfections • “I just never expected that from you” • “What happened? ”

THE BLOCK & TACKLE

Empathy Misses The Block and Tackle • Uncomfortable with vulnerability • Criticize you • “What were you thinking? ”

THE BOOTS & SHOVEL

Empathy Misses The Boots and Shovel • All about making it better • Refuses to acknowledge that you can actually make terrible choices • “You’re exaggerating. It wasn’t that bad. ” • Trying so hard to make you feel better that they are unable to connect with emotions

IF YOU THINK THAT’S BAD…

Empathy Misses If You Think That’s Bad… • One ups you • Turns feeling bad into a competition • “That’s nothing. Listen to what happened to me one time!”

I CAN FIX THAT

Empathy Misses I Can Fix That • Immediately jumps to problem-solving • Instead, they should pause and ask you, “What does support look like? ”

DISCUSSION