empathy in child development

Empathy in child development is the ability of children to understand and share the feelings of others. It helps them recognize emotions, respond kindly, and build meaningful relationships. Developing empathy involves both emotional awareness and perspective-taking, which grow as children observe and interact with caregivers and peers. It encourages social competence, cooperation, and compassion. As children mature, their empathy deepens, fostering emotional intelligence and understanding of diverse experiences, laying a foundation for healthy social and emotional well-being throughout life.