Empathy is the awareness and understanding of another person's thoughts, feelings, and circumstances. The ability to co-experience the feelings and thoughts of other people, is probably one of the most important skills a person may have. Understanding others' feelings and needs helps young people make and keep friends, encourages tolerance and acceptance of others promoting good mental health. Thus, being empathetic assists children and students in building and maintaining strong and healthy relationships developing with their family, class, school, and community. Helping children and students to develop a strong sense of empathy is beneficial because it promotes social harmony, reduces the likelihood of bullying and prejudice, lowers levels of stress and contributes to emotional and social growth. In an ever-changing world appreciating and being sensitive to others’ experiences, backgrounds, and cultures is essential. The activities sourced and designed provide opportunities for children and students to identify and experience the benefits of empathy utilising prosocial behaviours, compassion, perspective taking and other kindness attributes.

Learning how to read and connect facial expressions with emotions is an important social and emotional skill developed in the early years. Understanding how people feel also contributes to the capacity to empathise. The song ‘If you are happy and you know it’ provides children opportunities to recognise and role play emotions.