Sharing Books to Grow Empathy

By Kacy Weigle, Tennessee H&V

Sometimes the best way to introduce our children to abstract topics is to crack open a book with them. We connect with stories. Children who are read to are able to better “understand what others are thinking and feeling” (Scientific American: Chiaet, 2013). The ability to be able to see the world from another’s point of view helps us navigate human relationships and is also known as Theory of Mind. Theory of Mind is a concept that develops as early as age four in hearing kids and often takes much longer to mature in kids who are deaf or hard of hearing.

As parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing, we may be even more aware of the way children react to the differences our children may display. In turn, that makes us more aware of how our own children react to people who are different than them. I often get questions from well-meaning adults on how to interact with my deaf son and how their children should treat him as they play. I think the answer to that is as simple as the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

The question becomes “How do we instill empathy in our children?” I think stories can play a huge roll. Pictured is a short list of five books that highlight and celebrate differences. I hope you’ll check them out at your local library with your own children! To take this idea even further, suggest to your school librarian that a display on differences is a good idea for May (Speech and Hearing month) or September (Deaf Awareness Month), or anytime.   ~

H&V Communicator – Spring 2020