Words for understanding others

Personal & Social Development · Empathy & Social Awareness · ages 5-8

Name ______________________ Date ____________

What is a community?
- A single person who lives alone
- A group of people who share a place
- A kind of toy
What does empathy mean?
- Trying to feel what someone else feels
- Feeling sorry for someone from far away
- Not caring about others' feelings
Perspective means how one person sees something.
Circle one: True False
Two kids watch the same game. One feels happy, one feels sad. What explains this?
- Perspective
- Community
- Fairness
Sam falls down and looks upset. Which shows empathy?
- Saying 'too bad' and walking away
- Laughing at Sam
- Imagining how sad Sam feels
A new student feels welcome and included at school. What word fits best?
- Sympathy
- Inclusion
- Difference
Perspective means everyone always sees things the exact same way.
Circle one: True False
Leo just says 'too bad' about Mia's sad day. He never imagines how Mia truly feels. Is that empathy or sympathy?
- Fairness
- Empathy
- Sympathy

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

A group of people who share a place · A community is a group of people who share a place, like a school.
Trying to feel what someone else feels · Empathy means you try to feel what someone feels, not just feel sorry for them.
True · Yes, your perspective is your own point of view.
Perspective · Each kid has a different perspective, so they feel differently about the same game.
Imagining how sad Sam feels · Imagining Sam's feelings shows empathy. Walking away or laughing does not.
Inclusion · Inclusion means everyone feels like they belong in the community.
False · Perspective means people can see the same thing in different ways.
Sympathy · Leo only feels sorry from far away. That is sympathy, not empathy.