Empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
- This workout takes approximately 10 Minutes
- This workout is for students in Grades 4-5
- Teacher Resources
- Share
Move
Workout guide
Workout guide
Steps
1. Stand in NaliniKIDS posture
2. Raise your right knee up toward your chest and then lower your leg back down
3. Repeat on your left side
4. Continue marching, and then add your arms to the movement
5. Reach your arms up toward the ceiling, then pull your elbows down toward your lifted knee, twisting your upper body slightly (don’t twist your lower body!)
6. Keep your lower body marching as your upper body switches from side to side (coordination is key in this exercise!)
Sequence
– 10 second march (approx. 10 marches)
– 10 second march (add arms)
Modification
If you’re having trouble with coordination or maintaining proper posture:
– March in place without lifting your arms with your legs
How does your body feel after completing the workout?
How does your mind feel after completing the workout?
What does Empathy mean to you in this moment?
Choose from the additional reflection prompts below to customize this lesson and meet the needs of your students and your time constraints. Create a unique workout experience every time you return to this lesson!
Self-Connection
Past
Have you ever watched a movie and felt like you understood what the characters were going through? How were you able to empathize with them?
Present
How can you tell that someone is listening to you?
Future
How can you improve your own listening skills?
Real-World Connection
Family
Pretend to be a member of your family by drawing a picture of them and imagining what they might be feeling in this moment.
Learning Environment
How can you show a classmate that you are listening when they are sharing?
Community
Do you think people more easily show empathy to those within their community or those outside of their community, and why?
Academic Connection
ELA
What might someone learn if they walked in your shoes for a day? Draw an outline of a shoe and fill it in with words that represent who you are.
Social Studies
Choose a historical figure who you are currently studying, and practice historical empathy by imagining yourself as this person. What might this person have been feeling during this time in history?
STEM
How can you show empathy to someone when communicating on social media?
Fun Fact
Elephants, dolphins, whales, chimpanzees, and a handful of other animals may be able to feel empathy, based on a part of their brain that is similar to the human brain.