Some children may insist that there’s only one correct answer or emotion for the situation. To guide them toward more flexible thinking, the teacher can emphasize that empathy is about understanding different perspectives, not finding the “right” response.
A helpful reminder might be:
“Different people feel differently—even in the same situation. That’s what makes empathy so important.”
If pairs struggle to take another person’s point of view, the teacher can model the process by thinking aloud or asking open-ended guiding questions such as:
“How would you feel if no one understood your words?”
“What might help you feel more at ease in a new place?”
It can also help to encourage role-play or drawing as alternative ways to explore emotions for children who find verbal discussion difficult.
Finally, if one child dominates the conversation in a pair, the teacher can gently encourage turn-taking, saying:
“Let’s hear from your partner too—everyone has valuable ideas.”
These strategies help ensure that all children feel heard, respected, and engaged in building empathy together.