Things that work

Teaching empathy in schools – a missing link to a kinder world

Human’s are hardwired for connection. Yet empathy seems to be lacking everywhere. Slowing down and listen inside, listening to others and connecting can be taught in schools. Here are just 2 programs that are READY NOW to be incorporated in a school near you. It will change the next generation – for a kinder, less selfish world.

MindUP™ Program, the Hawn Foundation

When students learn the brain-friendly focusing strategies and self-awareness practices of Units 1 and 2 they prepare themselves for their application in Units 3 and 4. The MindUP™ program is designed to strengthen students’ social and emotional competencies while creating a cohesive, optimistic classroom.

MindUP™ consists of fifteen engaging lessons presented in three developmentally appropriate levels: Pre-K through second grade; third through fifth grade; and, sixth through eighth grade. The program is organized into four units:

  1. Let’s Get Focused! (1. Learning How Our Brains Work; 2. Understanding Mindful Attention; 3. Focusing Our Awareness: The Core Practice)
  2. Paying Attention to Our Senses (4. Mindful Listening; 5. Mindful Seeing; 6. Mindful Smelling; 7. Mindful Tasting; 8. Mindful Movement I; 9. Mindful Movement II)
  3. It’s All About Attitude (10. Perspective Taking; 11. Choosing Optimism; 12. Savoring Happy Experiences)
  4. Taking Action Mindfully (13. Acting with Gratitude; 14. Performing Acts of Kindness; 15. Taking Mindful Action in Our Community)

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About The Mutt-i-grees™ Program, from a blog by Ceasar Millan

Developed in early 2009 by Yale 21C in collaboration with North Shore Animal League America’s Pet Savers Foundation and using Cesar Millan’s principals, the Mutt-i-grees curriculum focuses on teaching self- and social-awareness, relationship skills, and the ability to make ethical decisions that benefit people, animals, and the environment. The research conducted by Yale University is discovering a positive effect on the children who have participated in the program. The children have developed empathy and other social and emotional skills such as being able to understand and label feelings, self-awareness and cooperation among children. Importantly empathy is a social skill related to cognition and is often referred to as the missing piece in educational reform.

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