Empathy is often seen as a fixed trait, but research shows it can be taught. Reading is one-way children can develop empathy, as they can experience and reflect on situations different from their own and reflect on them. Empathy Week is a program that shows pupils documentary films with scenarios from different cultures to inspire empathy, and early findings suggest that as little as one week of empathy lessons can improve pupils’ emotional awareness. 

Levels of empathy vary depending on personality traits, genes, and environment. Research shows that only about 10% of our empathy is genetic, suggesting that a large amount of empathy can be acquired from everyday interactions. However, empathy can also decrease as we age, and biases can reduce empathy. 

Empathy helps children build relationships, engage with learning, and work and play together. Teaching empathy can also enhance creativity. In a study, pupils who were taught empathy and asked to design a product for children with asthma and their families showed increased levels of creative responses. 

Teaching empathy in schools can help young people retain it as a social skill, enhancing their learning and preparing them for adulthood.

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Hsin-Yu Huang

UConn KIDS Research Assistant

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