Empathy is the ability for one person to understand the emotions, needs, and desires of another (i.e. walk in their shoes).
There are three important parts of empathy:
1. Discipline-Avoid physical punishments; instead use nurturing techniques in discipline by using reinforcement and rewarding of positive behaviors.
2. Parental responses to children-Allow children to express their feelings. Help them identify and deal with those feelings.
3. Awareness of needs of children-Know your child and what emotional, as well as other needs that they have.
Understanding a child's fear is one example of showing empathy. Rather than telling the child that they are "stupid" for being afraid of the dark, show concern, allowing them to discuss the fear, and then discuss with them how you can help them deal with it.
