Understand and Care (Learning to Get Along Series)

Empathy is key to positive, healthy relationships. This book builds empathy in children. In clear, child-friendly words and illustrations, it helps them to understand that other people have feelings like theirs—and different from theirs. It guides children to show they care by listening to others and respecting their feelings. Includes questions to discuss and empathy games to play.

Empathy is key to positive, healthy relationships. This book builds empathy in children. In clear, child-friendly words and illustrations, it helps them to understand that other people have feelings like theirs—and different from theirs. It guides children to show they care by listening to others and respecting their feelings. Includes questions to discuss and empathy games to play.

Marilyn Courtot - Children's Literature

Generally if you can not empathize with or understand how another individuals feels then you really cannot develop a meaningful relationship or fit well into a societal structure. This collection of vignettes depicts children in a variety of situation and shows the emotions they are experiencing. They range from pleasure at scoring a goal in a soccer game, to loneliness being left out of a group and fear in this case of a of a large dog. The young boy who provides the continuity and focus tries to remember or think about how he would feel or react to a given situation. The closing pages of the book offer parents, caregivers and teachers guidance in using the book and for extended activities that focus on empathy games. Part of the "Learning to Get Along" series. 2003, Free Spirit Press, Ages 4 to 8.

Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed., has her master’s degree in elementary education and gifted education. A former first-grade teacher, she has taught education classes at Utah State University and has supervised student teachers. Cheri and her husband, David, have six children. They live in Laurel, Maryland.