In moments when you connect with students empathetically, you can reinforce your belief in their ability to succeed. By using these techniques, you’ll show students you want to understand them better and value them as individuals. Instead of being rude or defiant, as you expected, he bursts into hiccupping tears. Empathy is a powerful tool that can help you better understand what’s driving your students’ behavior and find strategies to help. Teacher empathy is the degree to which an instructor works to deeply understand students’ personal and social situations, to feel care and concern in response to students’ positive and negative emotions, and to respond compassionately without losing the focus on student learning. Researchers have identified four main attributes of what it means to be empathetic. Teaching With Empathy: Why It’s Important, Integrating these practices into your teaching, a video exploring the mindset of compassionate curiosity. Students might not even want you to fix the problem. Share It’s natural to be frustrated or upset. Imagine Shaun’s reaction to your frustration. Teaching With Empathy: Why It’s Important, By These self-advocacy and self-determination skills lead to better outcomes in employment and post-school life, according to research. designed for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. For example, asking “Is there something about today that’s been hard for you?” invites more conversation than “It looks like you’re having a rough day. worked as a classroom teacher and as an early intervention specialist for 10 years. Showing empathy can help you change that dynamic, so you not only acknowledge and consider what you see and feel, but also what you don’t see. It’s one thing to understand the importance and components of empathy. Teaching students empathy can be extremely difficult, but it is very rewarding. Understood is a nonprofit initiative. Allow for time in your classroom routine to use this teacher’s rapport-building warm-up to help create a more empathetic environment. When you are sympathetic, you may feel sorry for students. companies. Think back to the lunchroom situation with Shaun. If you can, tap into your own experiences to find a way to understand what the student is feeling or to remember a time when you felt something similar. It’s easy to jump to and express conclusions about the situation based on what you see. Follow the “Platinum Rule,” not the “Golden Rule.” You’re probably familiar with the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. She is the author of. When you’re ready and able to be empathetic in stressful moments, it shows that you’re trying to get past your own feelings. information, please review the Terms and For more Empathy requires active listening. These questions also allow you to acknowledge your own feelings, and may encourage students to consider your emotions. Ask open-ended questions. She is the author of. She is the author of The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education. Imagine this scenario: You’re eating lunch in the teacher’s lounge, and the cafeteria monitor comes to find you. But it’s important to recognize that the way they’re feeling is real to them. Use these tips to practice empathy. But it’s important to step back and consider: What more do I need to learn and understand about the situation? Even though you may care deeply for them, sympathy may lead you to look down on students instead of trying to understand or connect with them. Conditions. Frustrated, you rush down the hall. Empathy is our ability to recognize, feel, and respond to the needs and suffering of other people. has spent 40 years working with children with learning and thinking differences in the classroom and as an administrator. After you understand the problem, you can talk with the student about possible solutions and what support they may (or may not) want from you. Just that small change in approach can make a big difference in what a student hears and feels, and how willing he is to keep working on things that are difficult for him. What more do I need to learn about how I communicate to others that I hear them, even though I’m experiencing my own emotions? Amanda Morin You don’t have to bury your own feelings or agree with or accept their behavior. You can then confirm by asking, “Is that what you’re telling me?” That simple question gives students an opening to correct any misunderstanding and shows respect for their feelings and perspective. Try turning the same thought into an “I” statement, like “I felt that other students were distracted by your behavior today.” “I” statements allow you to talk about situations without placing blame. Validate feelings. Tuning into their emotions shows that you understand and accept all students. You can validate and have empathy for students, while at the same time holding them to high standards. has spent 40 years working with children with learning and thinking differences in the classroom and as an administrator. We do not market to or offer services to individuals in the European Union. “Understood” as used above includes Understood For All Inc., and their officers, affiliates, parents, and related entities, and their respective employees, contractors, or other personnel. Amanda Morin, worked as a classroom teacher and as an early intervention specialist for 10 years. “Understood” and related logos are trademarks of Understood For All Inc. Copyright © 2014–2020 Understood For All Inc. All rights reserved. Being empathetic does not mean lowering your expectations. That can help in the short term. and are used with permission. That means giving your full attention and listening to both a student’s words and tone of voice. This website provides information of a general nature and is Use “I” statements to avoid blame. This approach puts the focus on understanding what students need from you instead of what you think they need.

how does a teacher show empathy to students

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how does a teacher show empathy to students 2020