Learning from Each Other

This is a picture of Eriko, our latest author,
dressed as a cat for a Halloween party in
a preschool she taught at in her native Japan.
With Halloween coming, this seems a good
choice!

The book made me realize the importance of educators and caretakers teaching children the concept of empathy. I think it is amazing how children can learn empathy through school programs. People usually assume that children learn empathy from their caretakers and the adults in their lives. However, the author suggests that those people are not the ones who teach and demonstrate such sense. Actually, the children in the program can learn the importance of empathy with an infant who is even younger than 1 year. I could not imagine how the program helps children learn empathy from an infant. I was fascinated by the stories that the author shared, as well as the many concepts that were mentioned in the program. I have realized that the ideas of the Roots of Empathy program are very significant for both children and adults. I learned that feelings influence children’s development and behavior. Children who have had an opportunity to learn the importance of empathy through the program, compared to those who have not, will have much better perspectives toward other people, their communities, societies, and the world.

One of stories in chapter 2 reminded me of some personal experiences. I am going to share one of my stories with you. When I was in third grade in Japan, one of my female classmates was being bullied by other classmates because of her unique appearance, such as her dark skin tone and her curly hair. I was one of the onlookers. I did not even try to stop the students from making fun of her appearance because I was afraid of being the next target of bullying. Therefore, I joined in with the bullies. I felt sorry for her, but at the same time, I might have enjoyed it. I failed to think how she might have felt. My sense of empathy was missing. It was not until a friend of mine made me realize the importance of empathy. I was telling my friend about the bullied girl, and she said to me, “If you continue making fun of her unique appearance, I will do to you exactly the same things you have done to her.” She was upset at how I was treating the classmate. My friend was not a mean person or a girl who ignores friends. However, I did not take her seriously. As a result, she started ignoring me and would not talk or play with me for the next few days. I was really shocked and felt very lonely. I finally could feel how the bullied girl might have been feeling. She might have been sad, lonely and hurt just like I was feeling when my friend ignored me. I realized what I had done to her. My friend gave me the opportunity to think about how other friends were feeling. She made me realize how painful being bullied was. I learned my lesson. After that, I stood up for the girl that I used to tease and we became friends. I believe that being nice, caring and sharing with others makes us feel much more happy and grateful to be around friends than bullying or making fun of people’s appearances. I learned this valuable lesson from my friend.

I agree with the purpose of the Roots of Empathy program that gives children the opportunity to observe infants and discuss human feelings and emotions. Such opportunities encourage them to share their own feelings with each other. This helps them understand and listen to other people’s feelings and the children can learn empathy through the program. It is quite impressive that the individuals in the program are encouraged and motivated to achieve their goals by observing a baby struggling and trying hard to roll over using its whole tiny body. Children may realize that it is important to set a goal to achieve, and also to realize that anticipating its eventual attainment motivates them. Through the discussions with fellow classmates and instructors, they may start thinking of what they really want to do, using all of their energy and concentration towards what they are interested in. The children may also start considering how to make connections with their neighbors and exert their energy and knowledge towards contributing to society.

I believe that it is not easy for children or adults to find something they can devote themselves to nowadays. Those who are having a hard time figuring out their goals are afraid of ending up somewhere they do not want to be or even end up doing nothing. They may feel empty or never feel satisfied with their life. They may become depressed in the end. Therefore, the Roots of Empathy program plays a very important role for children, providing a great opportunity for young learners to explore the world with empathy. It is also important for them to have  experience sharing their feelings with other people because it will allow them to think and discuss where feelings come from or how to solve and cope with problems.

I expect that through the program suggested in the book, young children can obtain active listening skills that help them understand other people’s primary feelings and recognize and interpret the feelings with their own words.  Such skills help them actively listen to other people’s feelings. People sometimes may not recognize their true feelings unless they are addressed by other people. The Roots of Empathy program helps children freely address what they really feel. The program enables young children to realize that there is nothing to be ashamed of when expressing their feelings. Furthermore, the young children are willing to trust people and realize that it is significant to make healthy connections with adults, and to respect and take responsibility for other people and themselves.

Babies have a pure mind and are full of love and energy. They remind us of things that we sometimes overlook or fail to recognize from our stand point. However, the program gives children the opportunities to realize such things. The kids will learn to consider other people’s feelings and learn the importance of having the courage to stand up for others. They will be interdependent with each other in their communities, instead of being independent. The Roots of Empathy program reminds us of such wonderful and valuable things. I hope, if children understand the concept of empathy, considering and taking care of not only their own feelings but also other people’s feelings, they are willing to pass it to the ones for whom they love and care, as well as to the next generation.