Many researchers have discovered that our brains are wired for social connection. Being positively connected to others is one of the best predictors of happiness, well-being and productivity. When we learn how to positively connect with others with empathy and compassion, it is like planting seeds in rich soil, we will reap great fruit called friendship. It isn’t always easy to learn how to relate to others and most of us need to learn the basics repeatedly. Let’s practice together.
Try this:
Assign a person for each role to act out the following scenario:
Person 1: Mrs. Fields said to Tina, “Suri’s best friend moved yesterday. Why don’t you see if she wants to hang out at recess?”
Person 2: Tina agreed. “Suri, do you want to play a game?” Tina asked.
Person 3: Suri shrugged. “If you want to.”
Person 2: Tina set up the game while Suri watched. “Are you going to help?”
Person 3: “I guess so,” Suri said.
Person 2: “So, what are you doing over break?” Tina asked.
Person 3: Suri replied, “I don’t know.”
Person 2: Tina rolled her eyes. “Are you always this boring?”
As a class, family or small group think of how could Tina have modelled compassion and empathy better?
Rewrite the script based on how you would want someone to treat you if your friend moved away.
Adults – How could you assist a child/student in this situation?
PARENT TIPS:
- Help your children identify people with whom they feel safe and comfortable expressing their feelings. How do those people show compassion and empathy to you?
- Talk about strategies your children can use to help others feel comfortable and safe expressing their feelings.
Ask yourself, there is no wrong answer:
How hard or easy is it for you to talk to others about your feelings? Think about a time when you told someone your feelings and it was hard.
Connecting to our faith:
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
-Ephesians 4:32
Further learning:
Teen Book:
The Teen Guide to Global Action: How to Connect with Others (Near & Far) to Create Social Change by Barbara A. Lewis
Adult/Teaching Resource: Website: Teaching Tolerance – https://www.tolerance.org/
Employees of LDCSB checkout WorkLifeHealth from EAP Provider Morneau Sheppell
We welcome your feedback, click here