The Empathy Advantage: Coaching Children to Be Kind, Respectful, and Successful

by Lynne Azarchi

Overview

We live in a time when empathy is not only lacking but on the decline. Kids are bullied because of the color of their skin, religion, culture, a disability and more. Bullying and cyberbullying are increasing, especially for black and brown kids, LGBT youth, and Jewish and Muslim youth. Fueled by decreases in respect, kindness, and compassion, the house is on fire!

Empathy may be not be a cure-all, but just a little effort can transform a child into a more sensitive, caring human being. The good news is that empathy – the ability to “walk in someone else’s shoes” – can be taught. This book is all about teaching adults to teach empathy to kids. The payoff will last a lifetime.

In this helpful guide, parents, caregivers and teachers are coached to help their children and students to develop social-emotional skills that will equip them to better navigate the world with self-compassion and empathetic concern.

The Empathy Advantage is for the busiest parents and educators. It provides tips, strategies, online resources, and activities that are fun and engaging and take just 10 to 20 minutes. It emphasizes the importance of starting early, being good role models, spending quality face-to-face time together, and more. It will help readers understand the dynamics of bullying and teach children to stand up not only for themselves but others. And it explores other topics including managing media in the home, the value of pets in inculcating empathy, active listening, and self-compassion – i.e. being as forgiving and kind to yourself as you would to a friend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538143704
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/04/2020
Pages:	324
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Lynne Azarchi is executive director of Kidsbridge Tolerance Center outside of Trenton, New Jersey—a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering bullying prevention, anti-bias, diversity appreciation, empathy, and empowerment strategies for youth. She is a tireless advocate for improving the lives of at-risk youth in communities across New Jersey. Kidsbridge is the only evidence-based center dedicated to youth in the country, with more than 2,500 preschool, elementary, and middle school students and educators improving their social-emotional skills each year. Azarchi has won many awards and been published both in newspapers and academic journals. She is a frequent speaker to parent and teacher groups, corporations and major educational conferences. She lives with her husband in Princeton Junction, New Jersey.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 – Why YOU Should Care about Empathy

Chapter 2 – Empathy CAN Be Taught

Chapter 3 – The Science and Biology of Empathy

Chapter 4 – Empathy 101: Defining How Empathy Fits in with Other Emotional Skills

Chapter 5 – Empathy, Media, and Social Media

Chapter 6 – Parent Tips – Strengthening Moral Compasses

Chapter 7 – Teaching Empathy: Infant to Three Years

Chapter 8 – Teaching Empathy: Three to Six Years

Chapter 9 – Teaching Empathy: Elementary Years

Chapter 10 – Teaching Empathy: Middle School Years

Chapter 11 – Teaching Empathy: High School Years

Chapter 12 – Empathy: Critical for Bullying Prevention

Chapter 13 – What Parents Want

Chapter 14 – Self-Compassion and Self-Empathy

Chapter 15 – Active Listening

Chapter 16 – Empathy and Gender

Chapter 17 – Empathy’s Cousins: Social-Emotional Skills

Chapter 18 – Teaching Empathy through Documentary Films, Storytelling, and Photos

Chapter 19 – Pets and Empathy

Chapter 20 – Heroes and More Heroes

Chapter 21 – Empathy and Paying It Forward

Last Thoughts

Appendices

Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Surely, there is no role as influential as that of a parent, nor responsibility as profound as modeling behaviors that build empathy in children. Lynne Azarchi, gently and methodically, empowers parents to teach kindness by creating opportunities that foster empathy. Early conversations about how it feels to walk in the shoes of another underlie a child's successful journey into a compassionate and fulfilling adulthood. Azarchi shines a light upon the importance of a foundation in empathy - not only to help youngsters deal with the social and emotional challenges of growing up, but to enable them to live and thrive in the tolerant society they will create in the future.

Dr. Helen Boehm

[The Empathy Advantage] will benefit all children, including those with disabilities and special healthcare needs.. .. The main message of this book is that empathy can be taught.. .. Children will also learn that they are more alike than different from others.

eParent Magazine

The time has never been more ripe for parents and educators to explicitly teach empathy. The Empathy Advantage is timely and provides evidence-based guidance for parents and educators on myriad ways to promote empathy among children and students. Recent evidence suggests that not only can empathy be taught, but now more than we ever, it is clear that empathy needs to be taught. As Azarchi notes, evidence is mounting about the decline in empathy among children and young adults. Parents and educators should not be complacent about this decline. The data are clear that social-emotional character skills are associated with higher personal and academic achievement, as well as lower levels of bias towards others. Plus, these skills create a pillar upon which bullying prevention skills can be improved. The capacity for empathy builds one’s ability to care, give respect, provide support to others, and to be kind. Now we know empathy can be taught and Azarchi provides guidance on just how to do that.

Nadia S. Ansary

An easy-to-follow plan for teaching respect and kindness. Empathy begins at home, says the author, and the earlier, the better. Azarchi offers such practical suggestions as holding family meetings, limiting screen time, and emphasizing face-to-face activities.. .. Backed by science and truly instructive, Azarchi's inspiring book couldn’t come at a better time.

Booklist

Empathy is the most basic and essential life skill. It makes classrooms and families humane places. As Lynne Azarchi shows, empathy can be taught. Most importantly, Lynne can teach it, and that is exactly why this book belongs in every home and classroom- now more than ever.

Maurice J. Elias

Empathy Advantage is a highly needed book, especially in the times we live in. It provides a useful guide based on evidence-based curriculum to foster and cultivate empathy in youth. Lynne Azarchi, Executive Director of Kidsbridge Tolerance Center, introduces to the reader recent research on empathy and social-emotional learning. This book shares activities that help parents, caregivers and educators develop children's ability for human connection while acknowledging the strength in diversity, as well as practicing equity and inclusion.

Yonty Friesem

As this coaching guide shows, empathy can be taught. Most importantly, Lynne can teach it, and that is exactly why this book belongs in every home and classroom3/4now more than ever.

--Maurice J. Elias, PhD, Rutgers University's Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab and author, Emotionally Intelligent Parenting

Just like What to Expect When You're Expecting, this is one you can refer to for years to come. If you know a parent who is struggling right now, or maybe you are wondering how to get your child to be kinder to others, I highly recommend this one.

--Stranded in Chaos blog review

This guide helps parents, caregivers and educators develop children's ability for human connection while acknowledging the strength in diversity, as well as practicing equity and inclusion.

--Yonty Friesem, PhD Founding Director, Civic Media Program, Columbia College Chicago

The time has never been more ripe for parents and educators to explicitly teach empathy. The Empathy Advantage is timely and provides evidence-based guidance for parents and educators.

--Nadia S. Ansary, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, Rider University

From the Publisher