https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 00:14:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2552885 Thu, 19 May 2016 22:23:38 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2552885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumuckl: @Mamaof2: I have no idea if this is accurate but in our experience with our riding program, it comes more naturally to many girls. We have had a few girls who don't seem to care about the horses (usually empathy for the horses translates to empathy for other people) or how their actions affect the horses, but the majority of our female students seem to naturally have empathy for the horses from their first lesson. Boys, I'd say the majority take a lot of reminders and encouragement, kind of like the dog example. One thing I think I've noticed is that boys do seem to get it eventually but maybe it doesn't kick in naturally as early as with girls. Our 7-8 year old boys seem to be significantly better than the 4-5 year old boys. Not a scientific study by any means, just our experiences. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2550648 Tue, 17 May 2016 15:40:17 +0000 Pumuckl 2550648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I don't think it has anything to do with gender as my DS is very empathetic and always has been. It think it just comes to some people more naturally than others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2550630 Tue, 17 May 2016 14:59:06 +0000 yoursilverlining 2550630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's natural inmost people but that empathy also needs to be reinforced and encouraged in *everyone*. Looking around at our general adult population; not enough parents emphasized/emphasize teaching empathy, that's for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2550608 Tue, 17 May 2016 14:30:15 +0000 Mama Bird 2550608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both? I see a lot of innate empathy in the kids I know, and they also pick it up from seeing adults being kind. But they also can be very thoughtless and sometimes need help realizing when they're being mean. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2550605 Tue, 17 May 2016 14:28:45 +0000 PinkElephant 2550605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My four year old is empathetic to her little sister....less so to me. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2550604 Tue, 17 May 2016 14:28:26 +0000 Mamaof2 2550604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: yes my DD is very empathetic! Wonder if it comes more naturally to girls? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2550602 Tue, 17 May 2016 14:27:51 +0000 Mamaof2 2550602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: I have done this with both kids and my DD is very empathetic but my DS just isn't and he is 7.... so I am like "what the heck??" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2550598 Tue, 17 May 2016 14:26:13 +0000 lamariniere 2550598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure. Both of my children, especially my daughter, seem to demonstrate empathy on their own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2550597 Tue, 17 May 2016 14:25:54 +0000 Chillybear 2550597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you have to challenge a child to empathize. ie. she throws a block and it hits the dog and the dog yelps. i would repremand and say "how would you feel if you were hit in the head with a block, do you think you would cry like doggie did. wouldn't you want the person that threw the block to say they were sorry? What would make you feel better?...... lets do that for doggie." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/empathy#post-2550588 Tue, 17 May 2016 14:20:13 +0000 Mamaof2 2550588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you teach empathy or is it something they just learn on their own? </p>