Tuesday 9 June 2020 is Empathy Day. Empathy – the ability to feel and understand other people’s emotions and perspectives – is a vital human force, creating happier people, stronger communities and a better world, and we need it right now.
Empathy Lab created Empathy Day to help everyone understand and experience the power of empathy through books. Scientists say that we can train our brain with stories, as the more we empathise with characters, the more we can understand other people’s feelings.
Throughout Empathy Day, authors and illustrators including Cressida Cowell, Malorie Blackman, Onjali Raif and Rob Biddulph (who attempted the art class World Record a couple of weeks ago) will lead brilliant online events. Schools, libraries and families across the U.K. will be taking part, and you can join in. schools, libraries and families across the U.K. will take part in brilliant online events and fun home-based activities to help children read, connect and act using empathy.
Use this link to follow the Empathy Day live activities throughout the day.
Alongside the live activities, Empathy Lab have put together a family activities pack here to help children read, connect and act using empathy. Malorie Blackman will be using the Empathy glasses from this pack during her event.
Once the children’s activities are finished for the day, adults are invited to an Empathy Conversation on Facebook, with authors Cressida Cowell & Muhammad Khan and psychologist Professor Robin Banerjee.
Join the Empathy Day activities, share your favourite reads which have helped you see someone else’s perspective, using #ReadforEmpathy and #EmpathyDay and take part in a day of positive experiences towards kindness and understanding.
If you would like to encourage your family to develop empathy beyond the day’s events, two guides to brilliant books which promote empathy in primary school and secondary-aged children throughout the year can be found here.
By: Sharon Corbally
You may also want to read this:
Free Online Stream – A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Free eBook: The Book of Hopes edited by Katherine Rundell
Review: Laugh and Let Die Play at Home Murder Mystery Kit: The Late Gatsby
