{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Executive function: Empathy","description":"Empathy can be a puzzling concept for a young child. They often need adults to model it for them. When reading stories or playing with the wooden peg people together, ask your child: \u201cHow do you think that person is feeling right now? How can you tell? How would you feel in his place?\u201d Encourage your child to notice the clues in their environment and use them to draw conclusions.  In this final episode in the executive function series, Senior Director of Programs at Zero to Three Rebecca Parlakian joins Host Jessica Rolph to look at how empathy fits into the critical thinking skills coming online for your 4 year old.   Takeaways: Empathy is caught not taught. We are teaching our child what empathy is when we model it, but also when we empathize with them. Empathizing with our child doesn\u2019t mean that we\u2019re agreeing with them or doing exactly what they want us to do. Rather, it involves acknowledging that what we\u2019re asking them to do is hard for them. In order for a child to recognize that what they did was wrong, they have to accept some degree of shame. That\u2019s asking a lot of a 4 year old. Rebecca recommends shifting 100% of the attention to the child who has been hurt, and only later (in private), asking your child questions like: How did you know she didn\u2019t like it? Rebecca has 3 suggestions for building empathy in the day-to-day with your child: Try to imagine how your baby is interpreting a situation and put that into words. For example: \u201cIt\u2019s so frustrating when you can\u2019t reach your pacifier!\u201d Suggest ways that your child can show empathy. Something like: \u201cYour cousin fell and hurt his knee. Would you like to help me get the ice pack for him?\u201d Explore empathy in pretend play. So if we\u2019re playing veterinarian, we can say: \u201cThe doggy has to have a shot, but look, he\u2019s feeling a little scared\u2026\u201d Finally, Rebecca suggests using the Imagine-if cards in the Examiner Play Kit as a way to build empathy. For example: \u201cLet\u2019s imagine you\u2019re at preschool. What if a friend is feeling sad about saying goodbye to their mom or dad? What could you do to help them?\u201d   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com  Zero to Three Receive weekly emails about your child\u2019s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram   ","author_name":"My New Life","author_url":"https:\/\/lovevery.com\/","html":"