Positive Education

‘Empathy is feeling with people’ 

Brene Brown 

Empathy is a widely used term and refers to the ability of a person to sense a person’s emotions and to be able to put themselves ‘in their shoes.’  Empathy can be described as affective or cognitive with affective being linked to sensations and feelings we get in response and cognitive referring to an ability to understand and identify with a person’s emotions. 

The problem can be however, when showing empathy impacts on our own mental wellbeing and causes either empathetic distress or empathetic concern.  Below is an article that explores the idea around these two ideas and how as a parent, or care giver you can show empathy but still protect yourself. 

How to Stay Empathic Without Suffering So Much

Empathy versus Sympathy

For many there is confusion between empathy and sympathy but when empathy is shown effectively and boundaries are put in place empathy allows a deeper connection between people.  Sympathy, which does always come from a good heart and well meaning, can at times drive a wedge between people as we put our life experiences on to others as opposed to just listening. 

According to Brene Brown, who holds a Ph.D in Social Work, as well as being a research professor, author and podcaster, the following steps to showing empathy are paramount.

1. Perspective taking, or putting yourself in someone else’s shoes
2. Stay out of judgement and just listen
3. Recognise emotions in others
4. Communicate that you recognise the emotion

A link that may be of interest for you - Brene Brown on Empathy versus Sympathy  

 School TV

A reminder to all parents that we have SchoolTV as a way or supporting all parents and caregivers. To access SchoolTV please go to the College website and under the Community tab you will find the link.