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Empathy can be a difficult concept to explain and define. To help us better understand this tricky concept, let’s explore the difference between sympathy and empathy. 

Sympathy is feeling pity or sorrow for someone else. What is one example of a time when you have felt pity for someone else?

Empathy goes beyond this feeling of pity or sorrow. You don’t just feel sorry for someone and their situation. You are able to truly understand someone else’s emotions and look at things from their perspective. 

Let’s work together to explore what this looks like.

Close your eyes and picture the following scenario: 

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In the restroom at school, one student gets teased and pushed into a stall by other kids. Imagine you're a kid watching this interaction. How do you demonstrate empathy?

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First, you remember what it is like to be picked on.

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You may wait until the bullies have left and help the kid out of the stall.

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Okay, now place yourself in her/his shoes. What might she/he be feeling, thinking, and experiencing?

Make sure these are not your feelings but hers/him.

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Your ability to understand her/his feelings and look at this from her/his perspective even though it might differ from your own is empathy.

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You were able to connect with her/him on a personal level; You found some common ground and that increased your empathy.