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Empathy is a powerful tool that helps children build strong, meaningful relationships with others. It allows them to understand and share the feelings of others, which in turn creates a more compassionate and connected world.
In this blog, we explore a selection of empathy quotes for kids that encourage children to be kind, listen with an open heart, and support those in need. These quotes will help kids understand the importance of empathy in their daily lives, empowering them to be more compassionate and understanding individuals.
Table of Contents
Why Teach Kids About Empathy
Teaching kids about empathy helps them develop strong emotional intelligence and compassion for others. By understanding and sharing the feelings of others, children can build positive relationships, reduce bullying, and create a more inclusive environment. Empathy encourages kindness, cooperation, and effective communication, helping kids resolve conflicts in healthy ways. Additionally, practicing empathy strengthens a child’s sense of belonging, self-worth, and community. By teaching kids to be empathetic, we equip them with the tools to navigate relationships and foster a more caring and supportive world for everyone.
11 Empathy Quotes for Kids
#1 “Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” – Alfred Adler
True empathy means deeply understanding others.
This quote explains that empathy is about fully immersing ourselves in someone else’s perspective—not just hearing their words, but truly understanding their emotions and experiences. By doing so, we connect on a deeper level and learn to be more compassionate.
It helps children understand that empathy is not just about being nice—it’s about actively trying to understand how someone else feels.
Journal Prompt: Why is it important to listen carefully when someone is sharing their feelings?
#2 “The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” – Meryl Streep
Empathy is a special human ability.
This quote highlights that empathy is one of the most valuable traits humans possess. It allows us to connect with others, support them, and create a kinder world. Without empathy, relationships and communities would struggle to thrive.
It teaches kids that empathy is a unique and powerful ability that makes us better friends, family members, and leaders.
Journal Prompt: How can empathy help improve friendships and relationships?
#3 “The opposite of anger is not calmness, it’s empathy.” – Mehmet Oz
Empathy is a powerful response to anger.
This quote challenges the idea that the best way to deal with anger is to suppress it. Instead, it suggests that empathy—truly understanding the perspective of the other person—is the real solution. When we practice empathy, anger often fades away.
It teaches children that instead of reacting with frustration, they can choose to understand why someone is acting a certain way, which can lead to healthier relationships.
Journal Prompt: Write about a time when someone understood your feelings instead of just telling you to “calm down.”
#4 “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
True understanding comes from seeing another’s perspective.
This quote reminds us that we can never fully understand someone’s struggles, choices, or emotions unless we try to see the world through their eyes. It encourages open-mindedness and deeper compassion in our interactions.
It helps children develop patience and understanding, showing them that every person’s story is more complex than it may seem.
Journal Prompt: How can you practice putting yourself in someone else’s shoes every day?
#5 “Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.” – Mohsin Hamid
We connect through shared emotions.
This quote suggests that empathy is about recognizing parts of ourselves in others. When we relate to someone’s feelings, experiences, or struggles, it helps us understand them better.
It teaches children that no matter how different someone seems, we all share common emotions and experiences.
Journal Prompt: Write about a time when you felt connected to someone because you had a shared experience.
#6 “We rise by lifting others.” – Robert Ingersoll
Helping others helps us, too.
This quote encourages the idea that kindness and support for others lead to personal and collective success. When we help someone, we are also improving the world around us, which in turn benefits us as well.
It reinforces the importance of teamwork, kindness, and how helping others can make us feel good too.
Journal Prompt: How do acts of kindness make the world a better place?
#7 “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
Every kind act matters.
This quote teaches that even the smallest gestures of kindness, such as a smile or a kind word, can have a big impact on others. We never know how much a small act can brighten someone’s day.
It encourages kids to be kind in everyday moments, showing them that even little things make a difference.
Journal Prompt: Why do you think kindness, even in small ways, matters so much?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#8 “Empathy is a muscle, so it needs to be exercised.” – Satya Nadella
The more we practice empathy, the stronger it gets.
This quote compares empathy to a muscle that grows stronger with use. Just like physical exercise, the more we practice empathy, the better we become at understanding and caring for others.
It encourages kids to actively work on being more empathetic by making a conscious effort to understand others.
Journal Prompt: What are some ways you can “exercise” your empathy muscle?
#9 “Empathy is like giving someone a psychological hug.” – Lawrence J.
Empathy is emotional support.
This quote suggests that when we show empathy, we offer emotional comfort and support, just like a hug. We may not always be able to fix someone’s problems, but by understanding and caring, we make them feel less alone.
It teaches kids that showing understanding and support can be just as comforting as a physical gesture like a hug.
Journal Prompt: How do you feel when someone truly understands what you’re going through?
#10 “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
True understanding comes from the heart.
This quote suggests that the most important things—love, kindness, and empathy—are not visible to the eye. We must look with our hearts to truly understand and connect with others.
It teaches kids that empathy and love are about more than what we can see; they are about how we feel and treat others.
Journal Prompt: What are some things in life that are important but can’t be seen?
#11 “Always try to be a little kinder than necessary.” – J.M. Barrie
Go beyond basic kindness.
This quote encourages us to not just meet the basic expectations of kindness but to exceed them. A small extra effort in being kind can make a big difference in someone’s day. Even when kindness is expected, going above and beyond can create stronger connections and spread positivity.
It teaches kids that kindness is not just about doing the minimum but about making an effort to show real care and compassion for others.
Journal Prompt: What does it mean to be “kinder than necessary”?
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Ways to Use These Quotes
- Empathy Journals: After reading a empathy quote for kids, encourage children to write about a time when they showed empathy or when someone showed empathy toward them. This allows kids to reflect on how empathy made a positive impact in their lives.
- Empathy Role-Playing: Use an empathy quote for kids to start a role-playing activity where children can practice empathy in different situations—whether it’s comforting a friend, helping someone in need, or just listening to someone’s problems.
- Empathy Circle: Gather kids in a circle and have them share stories of times when they’ve shown empathy or witnessed acts of kindness. Use a empathy quote for kids to start the discussion and encourage kids to express how they feel when others show them empathy.
- Empathy Art: Have children create a drawing or collage that represents empathy. Ask them to draw moments where empathy is shown, such as helping a friend or comforting someone who is sad. Share a empathy quote for kids to inspire them to express compassion through art.
- Empathy Compliment Jar: Create a compliment jar where kids can write down kind words or acts of empathy they’ve experienced or seen. Each day, pull one out and discuss how that act made someone feel. Use a empathy quote for kids to inspire the activity.
- Empathy Walk: Go on a walk with your child and talk about the importance of understanding others. Share a empathy quote for kids to guide the conversation about how empathy connects people and makes the world a better place.
Additional Resources
Empathy Books For Kids
- Early Elementary Children (Ages 3-6)
- Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
- Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
Empathy Activities For Kids
- Empathy Bingo: Create an “Empathy Bingo” game where kids earn points for completing acts of kindness, such as listening to someone, helping a friend, or sharing something. Use a empathy quote for kids to set the tone for the game and encourage kids to practice kindness.
- Compliment Chain: Have kids form a circle and give compliments to each other. Share a empathy quote for kids to remind them that compliments and kind words make others feel valued and understood.
- Empathy Role-Playing: Create different scenarios where children can practice empathy—such as comforting someone who is sad, standing up for someone being bullied, or offering help when needed. Share a empathy quote for kids to remind them that empathy is about understanding and acting kindly toward others.
- Kindness Journal: Encourage kids to keep a “Kindness Journal” where they write down acts of kindness they’ve shown or received. Use a empathy quote for kids to inspire them to recognize how small gestures of empathy can make a big difference.
More Ideas For Parents & Caregivers
- Model Empathy: As a parent, the best way to teach your child empathy is by modeling it in your own behavior. Show kindness to others, be a good listener, and practice understanding in everyday situations. Share a empathy quote for kids to remind your child of how important empathy is.
- Create Family Acts of Kindness: Organize a family challenge to perform one act of kindness each day. Share a empathy quote for kids to inspire the challenge and discuss how small acts of empathy can make the world a better place.
- Emphasize Empathy in Disagreements: Teach your child to express empathy during disagreements. Show them how to listen, understand the other person’s point of view, and find a peaceful solution. Use a empathy quote for kids to guide the conversation on how empathy can help resolve conflicts.
What’s Your Favorite Empathy Quote?
Empathy is a skill that transforms our relationships and makes the world a better place. The empathy quotes for kids shared today remind us that when we take the time to understand others, show kindness, and listen with an open heart, we build stronger connections and a more compassionate world. Let’s continue to teach our children the power of empathy, helping them grow into caring, thoughtful individuals who make a positive impact on those around them.
What is your favorite Empathy Quote from the post, or do you have another? Share it by tagging me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches. I would love to see!
Bye for now,
Prima from LittleYellowStar
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