Display Empthay

CHILDKIND VALUE AND BEHAVIOUR 2

“I will take into account the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of others.”

Overview

Displaying empathy means understanding and valuing the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of children and families. For early childhood practitioners, it involves taking time to listen and respond to the needs of children with compassion and care. By displaying empathy, practitioners help build a nurturing and supportive environment where children feel seen, heard, and understood. This creates a safe space for children, especially those with disabilities or developmental differences, to express themselves and develop strong social-emotional skills. Empathy fosters trust and strong relationships between practitioners, children, and their families, which are foundational for positive developmental outcomes.

Supporting Evidence

Research consistently shows that empathy plays a critical role in child development and early childhood practice. According to Hoffman (2001), empathy contributes to the development of pro-social behaviour, which is key to children’s social and emotional development. Empathy from practitioners can help children feel valued and understood, leading to better emotional regulation and social engagement.

Australian research by Dr. Louise Porter (2018) highlights the importance of empathy in creating emotionally supportive learning environments for children with disabilities. Porter asserts that empathetic practitioners are more likely to implement trauma-informed and person-centred practices, which are essential for supporting children with complex needs. The Reimagine Australia Code of Ethics also reinforces the importance of empathy, particularly Principle 1.2, which stresses the importance of responding to children’s emotional cues and needs with understanding and sensitivity.

What this way of working might look like in practice:

Actively listen to a child or family who is struggling, acknowledging their feelings and providing comfort.
Adapting communication methods to respond empathetically to a non-verbal child’s needs.
Offering emotional support to families by providing resources and a listening ear when they face challenges.

Alignment with Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE PRINCIPLES, CHILDKIND WAYS OF WORKING AND KEY COMPETENCIES

Best Practices Supported

This value or behaviour supports the Best Practices below:

2. Consider My Culture (Understand Me): Practitioners understand and value the cultural backgrounds of children and families, creating an empathetic and supportive environment.
7. Respond with Understanding (Support Me): Empathy is shown when practitioners provide trauma-informed and responsive care, addressing the emotional and practical needs of children.
12. Build on My Strengths (Enable Me): Focusing on the strengths of children and families demonstrates empathy by recognising their potential and supporting their growth.

Ways of Working Supported

This value or behaviour supports the Ways of Working below:

Centre Me and My Family: Empathy is essential when prioritising the needs, values, and perspectives of children and families.
Observe and Respond: Responding to children’s and families’ needs with empathy helps practitioners adapt their strategies to provide compassionate care.
Collaborate with Others: Empathy fosters better teamwork and communication when working with other professionals, children, and families.
Be Agile: Empathy allows practitioners to adapt quickly and appropriately to the emotional and practical needs of children and families.

Key Competencies Supported

The value or behaviour suports the Key Competencies below:

2.1 Effective Communication: Clear, compassionate communication shows empathy and fosters understanding between practitioners, children, and families.
2.3 Compassionate and Present: Practitioners demonstrate empathy by being fully present and compassionate in their interactions with children and families.
3.1 Advocacy: Advocating for children and families shows empathy by understanding their needs and ensuring they receive the necessary support.
7.1 Collaborative Practice: Collaborating with others empathetically ensures that children’s and families’ perspectives are understood and supported.

Practitioner Reflection Questions

Reflection questions are a valuable tool for practitioners, promoting self-awareness, critical thinking, continuous improvement, and stronger relationships in their work with children and families:

How can I foster stronger, more empathetic relationships with children families facing unique challenges?
How do I balance empathy with professional boundaries while supporting children and families?
What strategies do I use to display empathy to children and families who may not communicate their feelings verbally?

Additional Resources

The Empathy Instinct: How to Create a More Civil Society by Peter Bazalgette (Book)

A book about how the art and science of compassion can build a better society.

Empathy - the eSafety Comission

A helpful resource from Australia’s eSafety Commission about empathy.

Exploring early childhood practitioners’ perceptions of empathy with children and families: initial findings - Angela Hodgkins

This paper explores initial results from phase one of a research project examining early childhood practitioners’ (ECP) perceptions of empathy within their practice.

Double Empathy Problem

9-page illustrated resource by NeuroWild.

Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus for creating change.

Max Carver

ChildKind Documentation

Access more information on the ChildKind Best Practice Framework with its 10 Ways of Working, 30 Key Competencies and 8 supporting Values and Behaviours here: