Em·pathy noun
Meaning: the ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation
Pixie and I were talking about ’empathy’ – she was talking about it at school as the class were reading The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf
‘Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child’s perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense.‘
I am sure that the students will love the book and will have a lot to discuss….
‘This book’s greatest strength is how it conveys the motive nature of its main theme (the refugee crisis) in a way that opens up conversations instead of shutting them down. ‘The Boy At The Back of The Class’ is not only a well-written book that begs the reader to keep reading, but also one that opens up a dialogue that we need to be having with our young people.’ ― TES
It is not easy to understand why some terrible things happen – what we do know though is that with so much uncertainty in the world, it is so important to make meaningful relationships with those close to you and others you meet throughout your life, show kindness, tolerance and reduce fear.
That is where ’empathy’ comes in ….. when we really empathise, we listen and when we listen, we understand on a deeper level and build better relationships.
Pixie asked me how we can understand ’empathy’ better… we researched ChatGPT and the result was – ‘The Story of Milo and the Mirror People’
It demonstrates the meaning perfectly – and reinforces how essential it is to take the time to LISTEN – only then will you really hear!!
Here are some discussion questions about the story:
- Why did Milo think he understood the others at first?
- What did the Mirror Person teach him about empathy?
- Have you ever felt like someone assumed they knew how you felt – but they didn’t?
- How can we understood others better without assuming we are all the same?
What do you think?
Food for thought…
Love & Best Wishes
Lynn & Pixie
XOXOXOXOXO
Lynn McAllister 