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In every classroom, students are carrying invisible emotions. Some may be quietly excited about a family event. Others might be anxious about a spelling test, a friend conflict, or something bigger that they can’t quite name. So at Soul Shoppe we suggest daily check-ins for students.
Daily check-ins for students create space to acknowledge those feelings—good, bad, and everything in between. These moments of reflection are more than just routine; they’re powerful tools for building self-awareness, resilience, and student confidence.
Why Daily Check-Ins Matter
Children thrive on connection and predictability. Starting or ending the day with a consistent classroom morning check-in (or afternoon reflection) provides:
Emotional safety: Students feel seen and heard.
Routine: Predictable structure builds trust.
Self-expression: Kids learn to identify and name emotions.
Confidence: When kids can reflect and be acknowledged, their sense of self grows.
These moments also provide valuable insight for teachers. You’ll quickly notice when a student is off, stressed, or needs support—all before it turns into a behavioral disruption or learning block.
Check-ins are a simple but powerful way to weaveSocial Emotional Learning into the rhythm of your classroom.
Daily Check-In Ideas to Boost Connection and Confidence
Here are easy-to-implement, meaningful activities that support daily check-ins for students—helping them feel emotionally grounded and ready to learn.
1. Mood Meters
Mood meters offer a visual way for kids to identify how they feel. These tools often include colors or quadrants representing energy and pleasantness (e.g., red = high energy, unpleasant; blue = low energy, unpleasant).
Encourage students to:
Point to their mood
Say one sentence about it
Offer a strategy to shift or embrace that feeling
Using a mood meter builds emotional reflection skills while normalizing the full spectrum of emotions.
2. “One Word” Circles
Gather the class in a circle and invite each student to share one word to describe how they’re feeling. You might guide with a sentence stem like:
“One word for how I’m feeling today is…”
It’s quick, inclusive, and gives every voice a chance to be heard.
This strategy, often used inTools of the Heart lessons, reinforces self-awareness while building classroom community.
3. Digital Polls and Feeling Surveys
For tech-friendly classrooms or upper grades, try tools like Google Forms, Padlet, or digital emojis where students can check in privately.
Benefits include:
Quiet reflection time
Safe space for introverted students
Real-time insight for teachers
Use polls to ask about energy levels, excitement, challenges, or how students felt during a specific lesson. It helps them build reflection muscles and creates opportunities for follow-up support.
4. Feelings Chart or Poster
Place a Feelings Poster in a visible space. At the start or end of the day, ask:
“Choose a feeling word from the chart that fits you today.”
“Did your feelings shift from morning to now?”
This simple routine builds emotional vocabulary and helps students learn that feelings are natural, fluid, and worth naming.
5. Confidence Boost Cards
Have students write short affirmations or appreciations to themselves or peers:
“I tried something hard today.”
“I noticed that I stayed calm even when I was frustrated.”
“You helped me in group work—thank you.”
These quick notes can be posted, journaled, or placed in a “Confidence Jar.” When students reflect on their progress, they internalize growth and strengthen resilience.
6. “Rose, Thorn, Bud” Reflections
This classic activity invites kids to share:
Rose: A highlight
Thorn: A challenge
Bud: Something they’re looking forward to
It supports emotional reflection exercises and shows kids that life includes ups, downs, and things yet to bloom. Plus, it fosters empathy as students hear one another’s stories.
How Daily Check-Ins Build Confidence
When students are invited to pause, reflect, and speak about their experiences regularly, several things happen:
They learn their voice matters.
They grow trust with peers and adults.
They practice emotional vocabulary and perspective-taking.
They begin to see themselves as resilient and capable.
These micro-moments of reflection are foundational to developing lifelong skills like self-advocacy, compassion, and focus.
Through daily check-ins, students aren’t just asked “How are you?”—they’re being taught how to answer.
Adding check-ins before or after an SEL lesson creates space for deeper processing and connection. These routines complement academic learning and create a classroom culture rooted in respect and emotional safety.
Small Moments, Big Impact
Confidence isn’t built in one lesson—it’s cultivated daily through consistent, caring moments. Morning check-ins, mood meters, and “one word” shares may seem small, but over time they shape how students see themselves and each other.
By incorporating daily check-ins for students, we help kids start each day with intention and end it with reflection. That sense of ownership and emotional awareness becomes the groundwork for everything else—learning, empathy, and leadership.
Empathy is at the heart of social-emotional learning (SEL). It’s what allows students to care about each other, resolve conflicts peacefully, and create classrooms where everyone feels seen and heard.
But empathy doesn’t just happen. It’s a skill—and like any skill, it needs to be modeled, taught, and practiced.
In this post, we’ll explore the role of empathy in SEL, how to cultivate social awareness in schools, and share empathy activities for students that help them step into someone else’s shoes with compassion and curiosity.
Why Empathy in the Classroom Matters in School Communities
Why Empathy is more than “being nice.” It’s the ability to:
Recognize and understand someone else’s feelings
Respond with compassion and care
Acknowledge differences without judgment
When empathy is part of daily classroom life, students are:
Less likely to bully or exclude others
More likely to cooperate, help, and build friendships
Better at managing conflict and expressing themselves respectfully
When Empathy isn’t just a benefit to others—it helps students become more emotionally resilient themselves.
Empathy in the SEL Framework
Empathy is a key component of social awareness, one of the five core SEL competencies. Here’s how it fits into the bigger picture:
SEL Competency
Empathy Connection
Self-Awareness
Helps students identify how their own emotions affect others
Self-Management
Encourages regulation of reactions based on others’ feelings
Social Awareness
Develops understanding of different perspectives
Relationship Skills
Strengthens communication, trust, and compassion
Responsible Decision-Making
Empathy influences ethical, inclusive choices
Teaching empathy supports academic achievement, too. Classrooms with strong empathy cultures have fewer behavior disruptions, higher peer engagement, and stronger emotional safety—all of which contribute to better learning outcomes.
Explore how this works in our Elementary SEL Curriculum or learn more aboutSocial Emotional Learning.
Empathy Activities for Students in the Classroom (Grades K–6)
The following are activities that can support building empathy in classrooms.
1. “If I Were In Their Shoes” Game
Read a short story or present a real-life situation (e.g., a student drops their lunch tray). Ask:
“How do you think they feel?”
“What might they need right now?”
“What would you do if you were them?”
This helps kids practice perspective-taking and develop emotional vocabulary.
2. “Mirror Faces” Exercise
Pair students up. One child makes a facial expression (happy, sad, worried, surprised), and the other mirrors it. Then they guess the feeling.
This activity builds emotional awareness and empathy through nonverbal communication.
3. Empathy Journals
Invite students to reflect weekly on questions like:
“Who helped you this week?”
“Who might need help right now?”
“How can you be a friend to someone who feels left out?”
Encourage personal connections through writing, drawing, or both.
4. “Kindness Web”
In a circle, one student holds a ball of yarn, says something kind about another student, then passes the yarn. Repeat until everyone’s connected. This makes inclusion and appreciation visible.
5. Story Time with a Twist
Choose books that highlight characters from different cultures, abilities, or experiences. Pause to ask:
“What is this character feeling?”
“What would you do if you were their friend?”
Books like Last Stop on Market Street or Each Kindness are excellent SEL empathy lessons for elementary students.
6. Empathy Freeze Tag
Play tag with a twist: when someone is tagged, they freeze in a feeling (e.g., scared, angry, tired), and another player must guess and act out a helpful response to “unfreeze” them.
This combines movement with emotional literacy and peer problem-solving.
Teaching Kindness Through Daily Habits
Empathy grows when it’s part of the classroom culture. Here’s how to build it into your daily routines:
Model It Out Loud: Narrate your own empathic thinking—“I wonder how he’s feeling right now.”
Use I-Feel Statements: Encourage students to say, “I feel ___ when ___” to express emotions non-defensively.
Celebrate Differences: Acknowledge and appreciate the unique identities, cultures, and strengths of your students.
Normalize Mistakes: Let students practice empathy when others mess up—and when they do too.
Create Community Agreements: Invite students to co-create rules that honor kindness, listening, and belonging.
Explore more tools like ourTools of the Heart to help students resolve conflicts using empathy and responsibility.
Quick Journal Prompts for Empathy Building
Try adding these as bell ringers, morning meetings, or reflection time:
“A time someone showed me kindness was…”
“I noticed someone feeling __ today. I helped by…”
“If someone felt left out at lunch, I could…”
“What does being a good friend mean to you?”
These questions support deeper self-reflection and compassionate classroom behavior.
Why Empathy Needs to Be Practiced, Not Just Taught
Empathy can’t be taught in a single lesson. It needs to be:
Modeled by adults
Practiced in real-life situations
Supported through stories, games, and discussions
Embedded in conflict resolution and relationship-building
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present and intentional.
By making empathy a central part of your teaching, you’re helping students feel safe, valued, and emotionally connected—and that’s a foundation for everything else.
From friendship misunderstandings to sharing squabbles, conflict is a natural part of childhood. But for many kids, managing big feelings and articulating those emotions in a healthy way doesn’t come naturally—it has to be taught.
That’s where “I feel” statements come in. This deceptively simple communication tool empowers children to voice how they feel, what caused the feeling, and what they need, without blame or shame. The result? More peaceful conversations, stronger relationships, and a powerful boost in emotional intelligence.
Let’s explore why “I feel” statements matter, how to teach them effectively, and how they support the development of Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
What Are “I Feel” Statements for Kids?
“I feel” statements follow a basic structure:
“I feel [emotion] when [event] because [reason]. I need [solution or request].”
Here’s an example a 2nd or 3rd grader might use:
“I feel frustrated when you grab the ball before my turn because I’ve been waiting. I need you to wait until I’m done.”
This format helps kids:
Identify and name their emotions
Take ownership of their experience
Express what they need in a respectful way
When kids learn to replace blame (“You’re mean!”) with clarity (“I feel left out”), they begin to take the first step toward conflict resolution and emotional literacy.
Why “I Feel” Statements Are a Game Changer
Also, by teaching kids to use “I feel” statements isn’t just about conflict resolution—it’s about emotional empowerment.
Here’s why they work so well:
They Build Emotional Awareness – Kids learn to notice, name, and normalize emotions, from anger to joy to disappointment. This emotional vocabulary is foundational to all SEL growth.
They Reduce Reactive Behavior – “I feel” statements encourage reflection before action. Instead of lashing out, children pause, process, and speak their truth constructively.
They Improve Peer Relationships – When a child uses “I feel” statements, it’s easier for peers to understand their perspective. This opens the door to empathy and cooperation.
They Foster Problem Solving – The final part of the “I feel” statement—“I need…”—invites solutions. This teaches kids to think creatively about how to meet needs while respecting others.
How “I Feel” Statements Support SEL
This is how “I feel” statements align directly with the five core SEL competencies:
SEL Competency
How “I Feel” Statements Help
Self-Awareness
Helps students identify and label their emotions.
Self-Management
Encourages emotional regulation by pausing to reflect.
Social Awareness
Cultivates empathy by helping students explain how actions affect them.
Relationship Skills
Improves communication and conflict resolution.
Responsible Decision-Making
Promotes accountability and mutual respect.
Using “I feel” statements consistently helps create a safe, inclusive classroom culture where all voices are honored.
Implementing a full Elementary SEL Curriculum for age-appropriate tools helps build these competencies.
Teaching “I Feel” Statements in Your Classroom or Home
1. Model It Yourself
The best way to teach “I feel” statements is to use them yourself:
“I feel proud when I see how hard you’re working, because it shows dedication. I need you to keep believing in yourself.”
Modeling normalizes emotional expression and shows kids that adults use these tools too.
2. Use Sentence Starters and Posters
Give kids a clear visual reminder with sentence frames and emotion charts. Display the formula somewhere visible:
I feel ___
When ___
Because ___
I need ___
Pair it with ourFeelings Poster to help students choose emotions from a list or image.
3. Practice in Safe, Calm Moments
Set up low-stakes practice scenarios where kids can try out “I feel” statements without pressure. These could include:
Role-playing common conflicts
Rewriting angry phrases into respectful ones
Journaling emotions using the “I feel” structure
4. Integrate Into Conflict Resolution Tools
At Soul Shoppe, we teach tools like thePeace Path to help kids mediate conflicts with one another. “I feel” statements are a core component of this process.
The structure becomes second nature when built into peer mediation, classroom conversations, and restorative practices.
Extension Activities and SEL Integration
Looking for ways to reinforce “I feel” statements over time? Try these ideas:
Daily Feelings Check-In: Have students start the day by naming how they feel and why.
Literature Tie-Ins: After reading a book, ask students to imagine what a character’s “I feel” statement would be.
Art & Writing Prompts: Use art, drawing, or journaling to help students express emotions non-verbally before adding words.
Try our fullTools of the Heart program for more ready-to-use lessons and activities that build emotional literacy.
Why This Skill Matters for Life
When students learn to articulate how they feel and what they need without attacking or retreating, they become more than good classmates—they become compassionate leaders.
“I feel” statements create a bridge between emotion and communication. Over time, they lead to fewer blowups, stronger friendships, and a more respectful, resilient classroom culture.
This simple phrase—“I feel ___ when ___ because ___. I need ___.”—holds extraordinary power.
Remember to make sure your classroom culture validates all emotions. Teach that every feeling is okay, even if every behavior isn’t.
Every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and understood. For neurodiverse students, this means being supported in ways that honor how they think, process, feel, and learn.
In a classroom that centers around social emotional learning (SEL), students aren’t asked to fit a mold—they’re invited to grow as they are. And for neurodivergent students, this kind of inclusive, emotionally aware environment can make all the difference.
This article explores how SEL can be adapted to support neurodiverse students and offers strategies for creating a neurodiverse classroom that’s welcoming, flexible, and deeply compassionate.
What Does Neurodiverse Mean?
Before diving in, let’s revisit the neurodivergent definition:
Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how human brains work. It includes people who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, and more. In contrast, neurotypical describes those whose brains function in ways considered “typical” by societal standards.
In any classroom, there’s a blend of neurodiverse and neurotypical learners—each with their strengths, challenges, and ways of connecting with the world.
The Struggles of Neurodiverse Students in Traditional Classrooms
Many neurodiverse students experience obstacles in school settings not because they are incapable, but because the environment isn’t designed with them in mind.
Common struggles of neurodiverse students include:
Sensory overwhelm from lights, noise, or crowded spaces
Difficulty with rigid schedules or transitions
Challenges with social cues or group dynamics
Feeling misunderstood or unseen by peers or educators
These challenges can lead to anxiety, isolation, and disengagement—unless the classroom is structured to support their emotional and sensory needs.
How SEL Supports Neurodiverse Students
Social emotional learning gives all students the tools to recognize emotions, self-regulate, and navigate relationships. For neurodivergent students, it also offers the opportunity to:
Build self-awareness in a safe, validating way
Practice communication skills through modeling and repetition
Receive consistent emotional coaching
Access calming tools and predictable routines
Feel empowered, not “corrected”
Through programs likeTools of the Heart, educators can embed emotional literacy and empathy into daily life, not as an add-on, but as a foundation for inclusive connection.
Creating a Neurodiverse Classroom with SEL at the Center
A truly inclusive classroom doesn’t just allow for differences—it welcomes them. Here’s how to use SEL to create a neurodiverse classroom where everyone thrives.
1. Make SEL Multi-Sensory
Use visuals, movement, and audio to teach SEL concepts in a way that speaks to all learners.
When SEL is accessible, it becomes a tool that’s not only effective but empowering for neurodivergent students.
2. Build Predictable Routines with Emotional Check-Ins
Consistency helps reduce anxiety and sensory overload. Create daily rhythms that include:
Morning check-ins (with verbal or nonverbal options)
Transition warnings and flexible breaks
Time to reflect or process through drawing, writing, or a quiet space
This routine supports both neurodiverse and neurotypical students, offering grounding for those who need structure and options for those who need space.
3. Normalize Emotional Coaching and Self-Regulation
Neurodivergent symptoms may include difficulty with impulse control or processing social cues. Rather than punishing these moments, SEL invites us to teach skills like:
Naming emotions without shame
Asking for space or help
Practicing calming strategies before reacting
These skills benefit the entire classroom and strengthen peer understanding.
4. Encourage Peer Empathy and Responsibility
Programs likePlanet Responsibility help students understand that they all contribute to the classroom community—and that inclusion is an active practice.
Try:
Kindness interviews between classmates
Small group discussions on how we support one another
Reflection questions like, “How did we show respect today?”
This helps shift the culture from “accommodating” to celebrating difference.
The Role of Educators (and the Future of Special Education)
As more teachers embrace inclusive SEL strategies, the future of special education teachers is evolving. It’s no longer just about individualized support—it’s about creating classrooms where emotional tools and flexible frameworks are built in for everyone.
Collaboration with a neurodiversity consultant, inclusive curriculum planning, and SEL-infused environments help teachers meet students where they are and stretch the system to serve more children well.
Classroom Culture That Embraces Neurodiversity
To truly support neurodiverse students, we need more than checklists—we need connection. SEL helps create a classroom culture that says: “You belong. Just as you are.”
This means:
Listening to the student’s voice
Offering choice and autonomy
Teaching emotional tools in every lesson
Valuing rest, repair, and regulation as much as academics
Soul Shoppe’sElementary SEL Curriculum provides the structure, language, and resources to do just that—while centering dignity and connection in every step.
Supporting Every Mind, Every Day
Every brain is different—and every student deserves to feel like they matter. By using SEL to support neurodiverse students, we’re not only helping them succeed in school—we’re honoring the diversity that makes classrooms more thoughtful, compassionate places.
Because when students feel emotionally safe, they don’t just survive. They thrive.
Stress is a natural part of growing up, but it can impact a child’s emotional, physical, and academic well-being when it becomes overwhelming. Recognizing the signs of stress in children is crucial for parents and educators to provide the right support and help students develop healthy coping mechanisms.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 signs of stress in children, the effects of stress on child development, and practical strategies for how to help a child with stress and anxiety.
Why Understanding Childhood Stress Matters
While some stress can be beneficial—helping children develop problem-solving skills and resilience—excessive stress can have lasting negative effects. Research on child stress statistics suggests that:
1 in 5 children experiences significant stress that affects daily functioning.
Chronic stress can lead to behavioral issues, difficulty concentrating, and long-term emotional challenges.
Untreated stress increases the risk of anxiety and depression later in life.
By identifying the warning signs of stress early, educators and caregivers can implement strategies to help children manage their emotions and build self-regulation skills.
10 Signs of Stress in Children
Children may not always verbalize their emotions, so it’s essential to recognize both behavioral and physical signs of stress in children.
1. Increased Irritability and Mood Swings
If a child is suddenly more irritable, short-tempered, or prone to outbursts, stress may be the underlying cause. Small frustrations may trigger big reactions, signaling emotional distress.
2. Difficulty Sleeping or Frequent Nightmares
One of the most common signs of anxiety in children is trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Frequent nightmares or night waking can indicate that stress is affecting their subconscious thoughts.
3. Changes in Appetite
Stress can lead to loss of appetite or, in some cases, emotional eating. A child who suddenly eats significantly more or less than usual may be experiencing stress-related changes in their body.
4. Physical Complaints (Headaches, Stomachaches, or Fatigue)
Unexplained headaches, stomach pains, or constant fatigue are physical signs of stress in children. Stress can cause muscle tension, digestive issues, and general discomfort.
5. Avoidance of Activities They Once Enjoyed
A child who once loved playing outside, participating in art, or attending social events but now avoids these activities may be struggling with stress or emotional overwhelm.
6. Trouble Focusing in Class
One of the biggest effects of stress on child development is difficulty concentrating. Stress makes it harder for students to retain information, complete tasks, and stay engaged in learning.
7. Social Withdrawal or Increased Clinginess
Some children retreat inward when stressed, avoiding friends and family. Others become overly clingy, seeking constant reassurance from parents or teachers.
8. Increased Nervous Habits (Nail-Biting, Hair-Twirling, or Restlessness)
Stress often manifests in fidgeting or repetitive nervous behaviors. If a child is suddenly biting their nails, tapping their feet excessively, or twirling their hair more than usual, it may be a stress response.
9. Expressing Negative Self-Talk or Feeling Overwhelmed
Statements like “I can’t do anything right” or “Nobody likes me” are signs of emotional distress in a child. When children struggle with stress, their self-esteem often takes a hit.
10. Increased Crying or Emotional Sensitivity
If a child is crying more frequently or reacting strongly to minor disappointments, they may be struggling with feelings of stress and anxiety.
How to Help a Child with Stress and Anxiety
Once you recognize childhood stress, it’s important to provide supportive interventions. Below are effective ways to help students manage stress and build resilience.
1. Create a Calm and Supportive Classroom Environment
Teachers play a vital role in reducing stress in children by making the classroom a safe and predictable space. ✔ Use calming activities: Encourage mindful breathing, quiet reading time, or sensory breaks. ✔ Keep routines consistent: Predictability helps students feel secure. ✔ Provide emotional check-ins: A simple “How are you feeling today?” can go a long way.
2. Teach Healthy Coping Strategies
Encourage children to develop self-regulation skills with stress relief techniques, such as: ✔ Mindful Breathing Exercises – Try using theEmpty Balloon Exercise to teach students how to manage stress through deep breathing. ✔ Movement Breaks – Simple stretching, yoga, or a short walk can release tension. ✔ Journaling or Drawing – Encouraging students to express emotions through writing or art can be therapeutic.
3. Encourage Open Communication
Children need a safe space to talk about their worries. ✔ Validate their feelings: Instead of saying “Don’t worry about it,” try “I see that you’re feeling worried. Let’s talk about it.” ✔ Encourage problem-solving: Help them brainstorm solutions rather than focusing on stressors.
SEL curriculums likeTools of the Heart teach children resilience, self-awareness, and emotional regulation—essential skills for managing stress.
5. Promote Healthy Sleep, Nutrition, and Exercise
✔ Encourage movement – Physical activity helps reduce stress hormones. ✔ Monitor sleep habits – Encourage parents to help students get enough rest, as sleep deprivation can worsen stress. ✔ Provide brain-boosting foods – A balanced diet supports emotional regulation.
6. Help Students Recognize and Express Emotions
Many children don’t yet have the words to express their stress. Teaching them emotional vocabulary can be powerful. ✔ Use an emotions chart to help them identify their feelings. ✔ Teach them calming phrases like “I can take a deep breath when I feel overwhelmed.”
7. Encourage Positive Peer Relationships
Having a strong support system is one of the best defenses against stress. Encourage: ✔ Peer support groups where students can talk openly about challenges. ✔ Team-based activities that promote collaboration rather than competition.
The Long-Term Impact of Stress Management on Child Development
Helping children manage stress early in life has long-term benefits:
Better academic performance – Students can focus and retain information more effectively.
Stronger emotional intelligence – They learn how to regulate emotions and interact positively.
Improved mental health – Early stress management reduces the risk of anxiety and depression.
By recognizing warning signs of stress and providing the right support, educators and caregivers can help children build resilience that lasts a lifetime.
Helping Children Navigate Stress in a Healthy Way
Understanding the signs of stress in children is the first step in creating a supportive environment where students can thrive. By implementing stress-reducing activities, fostering open communication, and using SEL techniques, teachers and parents can make a lasting impact on children’s emotional well-being.
For structured social-emotional learning strategies that help students manage stress, exploreTools of the Heart. With the right tools, every child can learn to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.
Empathy is one of the most powerful skills a student can develop. It enhances communication, strengthens relationships, and creates a supportive learning environment where students feel seen and valued. When teachers focus on empathy in the classroom, they help shape a generation of compassionate, understanding individuals who can navigate diverse perspectives and challenges with kindness.
This article explores the importance of empathy in the classroom, provides actionable strategies for teaching empathy, and includes engaging empathy activities for elementary students. We’ll also highlight Soul Shoppe’s programs that provide teachers with the tools to foster a more connected and emotionally aware classroom environment.
The Importance of Empathy in Child Development
Empathy is more than just understanding someone else’s feelings—it’s the ability to connect with emotions and respond with kindness and care. The importance of empathy in child development cannot be overstated. Research shows that students with strong empathy skills are better at resolving conflicts, working in teams, and forming meaningful relationships.
When empathy is integrated into teaching and learning, it leads to:
Improved Peer Relationships: Students practice kindness, making classrooms more inclusive.
Stronger Conflict Resolution Skills: Understanding different perspectives helps students navigate disagreements peacefully.
Higher Emotional Intelligence: Children who learn to recognize and process emotions develop better self-regulation and problem-solving skills.
A More Positive Learning Environment: Empathy fosters a sense of belonging, reducing bullying and exclusion.
Schools that prioritize empathy education create compassionate environments where students thrive both academically and socially.
Can You Teach Empathy in the Classroom?
Teachers play a critical role in modeling and encouraging empathy. Whether through daily interactions, structured lessons, or immersive activities, teaching empathy in the classroom helps students develop emotional awareness and social responsibility.
1. Modeling Empathy in Teaching
Students learn by example. Teachers who practice empathy in teaching demonstrate active listening, patience, and understanding in their daily interactions. Some ways to model empathy include:
Acknowledging students’ emotions and responding with care.
Encouraging students to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Using positive language and reinforcing kind behavior.
2. Encouraging Empathy Through Storytelling
Stories provide powerful examples of empathy in the classroom by allowing students to see the world from different perspectives. Reading books that feature diverse characters and experiences helps children understand feelings that might differ from their own.
Some empathy learning strategies using storytelling include:
Discussing how characters feel and what they might be experiencing.
Asking students to relate a character’s struggles to their own lives.
Encouraging students to rewrite a story’s ending to include a more compassionate response.
Programs like Soul Shoppe’sTools of the Heart Online Course provide additional structured resources to help integrate empathy in schools through storytelling and real-life applications.
3. Using Empathy Scenarios for Students
Role-playing and real-life empathy scenarios for students help them practice seeing situations from different perspectives. Here are some examples:
Scenario 1: A student sees a classmate sitting alone at lunch. How can they show empathy and include them?
Scenario 2: A friend forgets their homework and is feeling stressed. How can another student respond with kindness?
Scenario 3: A group project isn’t going well because one student is feeling unheard. What can the team do to make sure everyone’s voice is valued?
These exercises help reinforce how to foster empathy and encourage students to take compassionate actions in real-life situations.
Teaching Empathy Activities for Elementary Classrooms
Engaging, interactive activities can make teaching empathy more tangible for students. Below are some hands-on teaching empathy activities that teachers can incorporate into their lesson plans.
1. The Kindness Chain
Each student writes down an act of kindness they performed or received on a paper strip. As the strips are linked together, the class visually sees how their empathetic actions create a connected, caring environment.
2. Partner Perspective Sharing
Pair students and have them discuss a time they felt frustrated, excited, or nervous. Their partner must reflect on what they heard and share a similar experience, reinforcing active listening and emotional understanding.
3. Peace Path Conflict Resolution
Using thePeace Path, students can learn structured ways to navigate disagreements. This tool provides a step-by-step process for resolving conflicts while encouraging students to consider each other’s feelings and work together on solutions.
4. The Empathy Jar
Students write down moments when they saw or experienced empathy, then place them in a class “Empathy Jar.” At the end of the week, the class reviews and celebrates examples of kindness and compassion.
5. Respect Differences Discussion
As part of a larger conversation about empathy education, teachers can introduce lessons from Soul Shoppe’sRespect Differences program. Activities from this curriculum help students understand and celebrate diversity while practicing empathy for people with different backgrounds and experiences.
Empathy Training for Teachers: Tools for Educators
To successfully implement empathy learning, teachers need the right tools and resources. Soul Shoppe offers structured programs designed to help educators bring empathy in the classroom to life.
1. Peacemaker School Training
ThePeacemaker Trainer Certification provides teachers with skills and strategies to foster conflict resolution, social awareness, and emotional intelligence in students. This program helps schools build a strong foundation for empathy education and compassionate leadership.
Educators looking for additional materials can explore Soul Shoppe’sWhat’s New Blog, where they’ll find articles, tips, and activities focused on how to teach empathy in engaging and meaningful ways.
3. Planet Peace
ThePlanet Peace curriculum provides structured lessons on SEL topics, including conflict resolution, kindness, and teaching empathy in the classroom. This program helps reinforce empathy learning through interactive storytelling and community-building exercises.
The Lasting Impact of Empathy in Schools
Fostering empathy in schools creates a more supportive, inclusive, and emotionally intelligent learning environment. When students practice how to foster empathy, they become more understanding, patient, and connected to those around them.
By implementing teaching empathy activities, using empathy scenarios for students, and modeling empathy in teaching, educators lay the groundwork for lifelong emotional and social success.
Start Teaching Empathy in the Classroom Today
Soul Shoppe’s SEL curriculum for elementary schools provides everything educators need to successfully integrate empathy in the classroom. Whether through structured curriculums, teacher training, or hands-on activities, these tools help shape classrooms where students feel safe, respected, and connected.
Explore Soul Shoppe’sempathy-building programs today and create a classroom culture that prioritizes understanding, kindness, and emotional growth.
