Building Deeper Connections: Practical Ways to Foster Empathy

Empathy means understanding and sharing another person’s feelings. At its core, empathy allows people to see the world through another’s eyes, feel what others feel, and respond with care. This skill supports lasting connections in families, friendships, classrooms, and communities. 

For both children and adults, deeper empathy brings stronger bonds, smoother communication, and more meaningful relationships. Those who practice empathy can better recognize emotions in others, manage conflicts peacefully, and show genuine respect. While some believe empathy is an innate gift, research shows that it can be cultivated through supporting optimal development, mindful effort, and the right support.

Understanding Empathy and Its Development

Empathy is classified as an emotion; however, it is complex, as it is an emotion that also involves cognitive components and can lead to action. Understanding this complexity helps to shed light on how empathy can be enhanced over time, and how a person’s development can directly impact their level of empathy and responsiveness to others’ needs. 

Empathy has its roots in both biology and psychology. Mirror neurons, special brain cells, help people reflect emotions they see. When someone hears laughter or sees sadness, these neurons fire off similar signals in their brains. Key regions like the prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex also shape a person’s capacity for empathy. 

These areas support impulse control, perspective-taking, and emotional understanding. Young children show empathy in simple ways, often mirroring the feelings of those nearby. For most, empathy matures with age and grows richer through experience and learning. Still, no two children develop empathy in the same way. 

Genetics, early childhood events, development, and social surroundings can all play a part. Some may need extra patience and guidance as their empathy develops, especially if they find reading social cues or managing emotions hard. Ongoing practice helps both children and adults build this skill for life.

Even before they speak, infants reflect others’ emotions, crying at another baby’s distress or smiling at joy. These early responses show the roots of empathy. As children grow, empathy becomes more thoughtful. They name feelings, ask questions, and consider others’ perspectives. 

Cognitive empathy develops alongside emotional regulation, allowing kids to pause, listen, and respond with care. As both empathy and development continue to mature, a child’s recognition of another’s emotional state can lead to simple actions – sharing a favorite toy when a child is sad, or offering hugs and kisses for comfort. By preschool and early school years, children begin showing empathy through words and kind actions. These skills continue maturing through adolescence, helping children navigate more complex social situations. Emotional awareness paired with self-control becomes the foundation for deeper, more meaningful relationships throughout life.

Not everyone shows empathy in the same way or to the same degree. Differences in empathy start in the brain, shaped by how regions responsible for emotional recognition and awareness, and perspective, develop. In order to act on the emotions of empathy, a child must first recognize and understand the emotion another is experiencing. Experiences at home, in school, and in the community also matter. Children who watch others show kindness and understanding tend to copy this behavior. 

Others who face neglect, inconsistency, or high stress may find it hard to tune into feelings beyond their own. Cultural practices, language, and even diet can influence social growth and curiosity about others. Some families speak openly about emotions, while others avoid such talk. 

Exposure to different backgrounds and viewpoints gives children chances to notice, ask questions, and practice empathy in new ways. For those who struggle, small, daily steps and clear guidance can make a meaningful difference.

Practical Ways to Foster Empathy at Home

Building empathy involves the combination of childhood development, seeing examples, and taking action. For a child to begin to identify an emotion in someone else, they first have to identify emotions in themselves. Helping children put a name to their emotions, then understanding the body language and posture that accompanies that emotion, is key. “I see that you’re feeling sad right now. I think this because I see you are crying, and even your body looks sad with your posture.” Pointing out to kids the clues you see and hear helps to build awareness in themselves and others. 

Differences in a child’s development of sensory perception can disrupt their ability to recognize the subtle cues and clues of emotions in themselves, making it harder to identify in others. A child with a reduced awareness of tactile perception may have less of an awareness of their own facial expressions and body posture when they are happy, sad, or angry. A child who experiences hypersensivity to sound may also misinterpret sensory cues. Words spoken louder due to joy can be confused with words spoken louder in anger, which elicits a different emotional response in others. 

Being aware of multi-sensory development in your child can help guide you in determining where your child may benefit from additional support in emerging empathy and actions towards others. 

Families have many ways to help empathy grow in daily life. These methods nurture stronger bonds, social awareness, and genuine care for others. To foster empathy, listening must come first. This goes beyond simply hearing words. 

Active listening involves giving full attention, making regular eye contact, setting aside distractions, and responding thoughtfully. Parents can sit at the child’s level, match their tone, and use open body language. When a child shares a story, summarizing what they said shows respect and lets them know their feelings matter.

Asking follow-up questions keeps conversations meaningful. Children notice these habits and often copy them with siblings, friends, and adults. When family members listen with care, trust grows. Listening deeply builds stronger, longer-lasting connections.

It’s easy to jump in with personal stories when someone shares a struggle. Yet empathy works best when the other person’s feelings come first. Family members should practice saying things like, “You seem upset. That must be hard,” before talking about similar experiences. This approach teaches children that every person’s feelings are unique and valid.

By asking children questions such as, “How do you think they felt?” or “What do you notice about their face or voice?” parents help build emotional language and awareness. This habit also reminds adults and kids alike to put themselves in someone else’s shoes for a moment before bringing the focus back to their own experience.

Assuming we know what others feel can limit true understanding. People come to conversations with their backgrounds, memories, and beliefs, which shape how they react. Encouraging open-ended questions gives space for details and lets others tell their own stories.

Simple prompts like “What was that like for you?” or “How did you feel when that happened?” invite richer discussion. Children learn to wait for an answer, listen, and consider viewpoints different from their own. This habit fosters empathy while helping kids develop patience and respect for differences.

Biases, whether big or small, affect how people relate to others. Family discussions about differences in culture, tradition, or experience can help children spot unfair ideas and rethink first impressions. For example, pointing out how holidays or foods might have different meanings for each person can start a meaningful exchange.

Acknowledging and discussing biases does not mean criticizing mistakes. It means noticing them, asking questions, and working to understand why differences exist. Encouraging respect for differences broadens a child’s view and allows empathy to span cultures, backgrounds, and personalities.

Empathy involves feeling while responding to what someone else needs in the moment. Some might need comfort or encouragement, while others benefit from quiet or practical help. Helping children notice clues (a frown, quiet voice, or request for space) gives them information to act with care.

Rather than guessing, family members can ask, “What would help you right now?” or “Do you want to talk, or would you rather have a hug?” Supporting others in a way that matches their requests shows respect and deepens trust. Over time, families who practice this see empathy as both a feeling and an action.

“Empathy contributes to how one feels about themselves, and their ability to form meaningful connections with others, which contributes to feelings of joy and fulfillment,” says Dr. Rebecca Jackson, Chief Program Officer from the brain-based program, Brain Balance, which addresses behavioral, social, and academic struggles using evidence-based methods. “It helps people understand each other, solve conflicts, and feel connected. Learning and showing empathy depends on development, and takes time and practice, but daily actions make a real difference.” 

Each small effort, from listening and asking questions to respecting differences, strengthens the fabric of family life. Modeling empathy in daily routines teaches children and adults to pause, reflect, and choose kindness. 

These skills build stronger connections that last far beyond any one conversation or moment. With care and consistent practice, everyone can help empathy grow, bringing more understanding and warmth to every relationship.