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5. Empathy leads to success in school. Students who are empathetic are more
cooperative in class, have better relationships with their teachers, and are more
engaged in school.
There are several ways you can practice empathy in the classroom. Below are a few:

1. Listen actively. Express active interest in what others are saying. Make them feel
heard.
2. Withhold judgement. Don’t make immediate judgements of right or wrong. Set aside
your own reactions and focus on listening to others.

3. Be understanding. Try to understand others’ feelings. If you can, look at your own
experiences to find a way to connect with what others are feeling. Put yourself in
their shoes and think about the time when maybe you felt the same way.
4. Practice mindfulness. Being mindfully aware of others’ behaviour is crucial for

empathy. Practicing mindfulness will help you take the perspectives of other people
into account.
5. Show empathic body language. Empathy is expressed not just by what we say, but by
our facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that empathy isn’t the same as sympathy. When you are sympathetic, you
may feel sorry for others. Even though you may care deeply for them, sympathy may lead
you to look down on others instead of trying to understand or connect with them. Being
empathetic does not mean lowering your expectations. You can validate and have empathy
for others, while at the same time holding them to high standards. In moments when

you connect with others empathetically, you can reinforce your belief in their ability to
succeed. Give yourself permission to acknowledge your own emotions.

Book Recommendation

‘The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’

In this book, the Dalai Lama addresses children directly, sharing lessons
of peace and compassion, told through stories of his own childhood.
One of today’s most inspiring world leaders was once an ordinary
child named LhamoThondup. In a small village in Tibet, his mother was

his first great teacher of compassion. In everyday moments from his
childhood, young readers begin to see that important lessons are all around us, and

they, too, can grow to truly understand them. With simple, powerful text, the Dalai
Lama shares the universalist teachings of treating one another with compassion.

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