Empathy for Kids: How To Explain It & Activities To Build Empathy

Empathy is one of the most important skills a child can develop. It helps them understand the emotions of others, navigate social interactions, and build meaningful relationships. 

For parents, teaching empathy is a way to instill kindness, compassion, and emotional intelligence in their children. However, empathy doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and some kids may need extra support to grasp this complex concept.

Children with neurodivergence, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or ADHD, might struggle with aspects of empathy for various reasons, including difficulties interpreting social cues or recognizing emotions. This doesn’t mean they lack empathy—it simply means they might express or experience it differently. 

With the right guidance and activities, all children, including those who are neurodivergent, can learn to practice empathy in ways that resonate with them. This blog post explores the importance of empathy, why some kids may find it challenging, and practical activities to nurture this essential skill.

Why Is Empathy Important?

Empathy is more than simply recognizing someone else’s emotions; it involves stepping into their perspective, imagining how they might feel, and responding with thoughtfulness and compassion. 

This skill allows children to build deeper connections with others, resolve conflicts effectively, and work collaboratively in group settings. Beyond social interactions, empathy plays a vital role in fostering resilience and emotional regulation, helping children understand and manage their own feelings while considering the emotions of those around them.

When children practice empathy, they gain the ability to understand different perspectives, even those that differ greatly from their own. This understanding paves the way for stronger relationships where mutual respect and care thrive. 

Kids who develop empathy are better equipped to navigate disagreements, offering solutions that take others’ feelings into account, and to approach challenges with kindness and consideration.

What Is the Connection Between Empathy and Neurodivergence?

Autistic children or children with ADHD may approach empathy differently. For instance, kids with ASD might find it difficult to interpret nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions or body language, which can make understanding someone’s feelings more challenging. 

Similarly, children with ADHD may have strong emotional reactions themselves, which can make it hard for them to focus on another person’s perspective in the moment. It’s important to remember that difficulty with empathy doesn’t equate to a lack of care or compassion. 

Neurodivergent kids often feel deeply but may express those feelings in unique ways. By providing supportive, structured environments and teaching empathy explicitly, parents and caregivers can help all children thrive socially and emotionally.

How To Teach Empathy to Kids

Teaching empathy starts with modeling it. Children learn by observing how adults handle emotions, respond to others, and show care. 

Use everyday moments as opportunities to explain empathy. For example, when a sibling is upset, you might say, “Your brother seems sad because his toy broke. What do you think we can do to help him feel better?”

Encourage open conversations about feelings by asking questions like, “How would you feel if this happened to you?” or “What do you think they’re feeling right now?” These discussions help kids start thinking about emotions and perspectives in a more conscious way.

For neurodivergent children, visual aids like emotion charts or social stories can make these conversations more accessible. Structured discussions about empathy allow them to connect abstract concepts with concrete examples.

What Activities Can Build Empathy?

Now that we’ve explored why empathy is so important, let’s focus on how to help kids develop this vital skill. 

Empathy isn’t something that appears overnight—it’s cultivated through practice and intentional effort. The following activities are designed to engage children in ways that encourage understanding, connection, and compassion, providing them with the tools to navigate relationships and emotions with greater ease.

Emotion Matching

One of the simplest ways to build empathy is to teach kids how to identify emotions. Use pictures of faces or emotion cards to show different expressions, and ask your child to name the feeling they see. 

For neurodivergent kids, pairing this activity with verbal descriptions, such as “When people are happy, their mouths turn up into a smile,” can make it easier to connect the visual cue with the emotion.

Storytelling and Perspective-Taking

Books and stories are excellent tools for teaching empathy. Read stories together and pause to discuss how the characters might be feeling. 

Ask your child, “Why do you think they felt that way? What would you do if you were in their situation?” Stories with clear emotional arcs are particularly helpful for kids on the autism spectrum, as they provide structured examples of emotions and responses.

Role-Playing Social Scenarios

Create simple role-play situations that mimic real-life challenges, such as helping a friend who feels left out or resolving a disagreement. Guide your child through thinking about how others might feel and how to respond in a kind, empathetic way. For kids who struggle with social cues, providing scripts or step-by-step guidance during role-play can help them feel more confident.

Hero Journey Club

Hero Journey Club (HJC) is a neurodivergence-friendly program that blends gaming, teamwork, and life skills to teach empathy and social connection. During group games, children learn to collaborate, share strategies, and support one another. 

For instance, a game might involve solving a puzzle together, encouraging kids to listen to their teammates and consider everyone’s input. HJC provides a safe and engaging environment where neurodivergent kids can practice empathy in real-time, supported by skilled educators.

Kindness Challenges

Set up small kindness challenges that encourage your child to think about others’ feelings. These can include writing a thank-you note, helping a sibling with homework, or saying something kind to a friend. Afterward, discuss how their actions might have made the other person feel and why it’s important to show kindness.

Mirror Activity

Stand face-to-face with your child and mimic each other’s expressions. When you smile, they smile; when you frown, they frown. This activity helps younger kids learn to recognize emotions in others by observing subtle facial movements. For older kids, you can take it a step further by discussing what each expression might mean and how to respond empathetically.

Empathy Journals

Encourage your child to keep a journal where they reflect on acts of kindness they performed or experienced during the day. Writing about how those actions made them feel and how they think others felt helps deepen their understanding of empathy. Journaling can be especially effective for neurodivergent kids who benefit from structured reflection.

Volunteering Together

Participating in volunteer activities as a family is a powerful way to teach empathy. Whether it’s donating toys, helping at a community event, or making care packages for those in need, these experiences allow children to see how their actions impact others. Talk with them afterward about the importance of helping and how it made the recipients feel.

Empathy Through Art

Art provides a creative outlet for exploring emotions and perspectives. Ask your child to draw or paint a scene that shows someone feeling a specific emotion, such as happiness, sadness, or excitement. Then, discuss what they created, asking questions like, “Why do you think they felt this way? What could someone do to make them feel better?”

Bedtime Reflections

At the end of each day, spend a few minutes talking about moments when empathy might have come into play. Ask your child questions like, “Did you notice anyone feeling upset today? How did you respond?” or “What’s one kind thing you did for someone else?” 

These reflective conversations reinforce the importance of empathy while helping your child connect it to their daily experiences.

How Can I Support Kids Who Struggle With Empathy?

Some children may find it more challenging to grasp or practice empathy, but this doesn’t mean they’re incapable of learning. For kids who struggle with emotional awareness, start small and be patient. Break down complex feelings into simpler terms and use clear examples.

If your child has difficulty understanding others’ perspectives, focus on helping them recognize basic emotions and work up to more nuanced scenarios. Use tools like visual aids, social stories, and structured role-playing to provide additional support. 

Celebrate small successes, such as recognizing a friend’s sadness or offering a kind gesture, to build confidence and motivation.

Laying the Foundation for Empathy

Empathy is a skill that helps kids build strong relationships, handle challenges with care, and make a positive impact on the world around them. While some children may need extra guidance, every child has the potential to develop empathy through consistent practice and encouragement.

For neurodivergent kids, empathy-building activities can be tailored to their unique strengths and learning styles. Programs like Hero Journey Club, along with activities like storytelling, role-playing, and volunteering, offer supportive and engaging ways for children to grow in their understanding of emotions and perspectives.

Sources:

Breaking Barriers and Fostering Neurodiversity Awareness in Elementary Education | ERIC

Empathy Throughout the Curriculum: Using Picture Books to Promote Social-Emotional Learning | ERIC

Compassionate Pedagogy for Neurodiversity in Higher Education: A Psychological Perspective | Frontiers in Psychology

Creating Compassion: Using Art for Empathy Learning with Urban Youth | Contemporary School Psychology