Today we’re exploring the word “empathy.” What does empathy mean to you?
Today we’re exploring the word “empathy.” What does empathy mean to you?
Do you have a word you’d like us to consider for a future episode? Email us at listen@akidspodcastabout.com. And check out other podcasts made for kids just like you by visiting akidsco.com.
SIO, Ep 11
“Empathy”
[INTRO]
Hi! My name is Catherine Petru, but you can call me Cat, and you’re listening to Sound It Out: A Kids Podcast About Words.
Here, we get to explore words — what they sound like, where they come from, how they make us feel, and how they illuminate our world - illuminate, what a beautiful word!
Words are like little portals - they give us clues about the cultures that surround us.
I’m so excited to be on this adventure with you. I can’t wait to find out what we’ll learn together.
[TODAY’S WORD]
Today’s word is “empathy.” Let’s sound it out!
What do you think empathy means? What images or feelings arise when you hear the word empathy?
[DISCUSSION]
Who remembers the word consent? When we learned this word, we broke it down in two parts - con and sent. Both those syllables come from the Latin language. The second syllable - sent - means feel.
Guess what? The root of today’s word - empathy - means feel too! Path from the Greek means feeling. Where else do we hear this sound - path? Sympathy, pathetic, apathy, naturopath…
The prefix - that small syllable at the beginning of a word - em means in. Soooo empathy is “in feeling.”
[EXPERIENCE & MEANING]
Have you ever cried when someone else is crying? Maybe your friend comes over, and they look so sad. You don’t know why, but then you feel sad too. That is empathy - you are feeling what the other person is feeling - understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
Empathy is a superpower. We can really connect with others when we feel along with them. Empathy helps us become excellent listeners, and reminds us that what happens to others, affects us too. And vice versa - our feelings impact the people around us. Our experiences are interconnected (another amazing word!).
The thing about superpowers is that we have to know how to use them. It is so incredible to share feelings – and it is also important to be able to let go of feelings that are not ours to hold onto.
I think, like any superpower, empathy just takes practice.
[CLOSING]
What does empathy mean to you? Write us at listen@akidspodcastabout.com to share your ideas.
And PS - We have A Kids Book About Empathy! A great place to dive deeper. You can find it at akidsco.com.
I’ve been your host, Cat Petru. This show is produced by me, with inspiration from my teachers and friends, and support from Matthew Winner. Our executive producer is Jelani Memory. And this show is brought to you by A Kids Podcast About.
You can check out other podcasts made for kids just like you by visiting akidsco.com.
What words do you notice today? Send us an email at listen@akidspodcastabout.com to share words you’d like to explore together! And join us tomorrow, for another word!