Be Kind - School Lessons Prove Empathy can be Taught
By Jill Dando News
A study involving 900 students in 6 countries found that a short programme of empathy lessons led to measurable, positive changes in their conduct, emotional awareness, and curiosity about different cultures.
The 'Empathy Programme', a term-long course developed by UK-based Empathy Studios, was evaluated with support from academics at the University of Cambridge.
The programme uses thought-provoking films followed by activities and discussions to increase empathy in students aged 5 to 18.
Survey and interview data revealed positive changes in students' conduct, emotional awareness, and cultural curiosity.
Teachers rated students' empathy and behaviour before the programme and after 5 and 10 weeks. The average empathy score rose from 5.55 to 7, while behaviour scores increased from 6.52 to 7.89.
Dr Helen Demetriou, a specialist in empathy education at the University of Cambridge, noted that the film-based programme can raise pupils' empathy levels, enhancing their understanding of themselves, others, and global issues.
The programme focuses on three core concepts: 'Empathy for Myself', 'Empathy for Others', and 'Empathy in Action'. The evaluation involved over 900 students and 30 teachers during 2023, building on a 2022 pilot study.
Key findings include:
- Behaviour improvements of up to 10% in some schools.
- Increased student interest in other cultures.
- Small improvements in overall emotional literacy and affective empathy.
Many students reported learning valuable lessons, such as recognizing shared struggles and commonalities despite differences.
Kirwan argues that empathy is a crucial skill for the future and should be considered foundational in education, not just an add-on.
