How can we change the world? As in the adage of the man and the starfish: one person at a time. One child at a time. It’s about teaching the rising generation to do right, to be kind, to build up rather than tear down. This pro-social mindset relies on people developing empathy, the simple idea of caring about others.

What is empathy and why does it matter?

Empathy is more than just feeling sorry for someone. It’s the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand their emotional state. This emotional intelligence is critical for building strong relationships, developing social skills, and promoting emotional well-being.

For children, developing empathy can:

• Improve social interactions with peers and adults.
• Increase their ability to cooperate and resolve conflicts.
• Help them become more sensitive to the needs and feelings of others.

By teaching empathy from an early age, we set the foundation for a lifetime of emotional and social success.

How music develops empathy.

Music has a unique way of connecting people and expression emotions. It taps into the heart and soul, allowing us to feel and experience emotions in ways that words alone often cannot. Through music, children can learn to identify and understand both their own feelings and those of others. Here’s how music helps develop empathy:

1. Music teaches emotional awareness

Listening to music exposes children to a wide range of emotions. Whether it’s the joy of an upbeat song, the sadness of a ballad, the excitement of a lively rhythm, music allows children to experience different feelings in a safe and structured way. By discussing the emotions evoked by different songs, children begin to recognize and label feelings they may encounter in themselves and others.

2. Music encourages active listening

To truly understand someone’s feelings, you need to listen carefully. Music is an excellent tool for teaching children how to listen attentively. When children listen to a piece of music, they learn to hear rhythm, tone, and dynamics. This skills of active listening extends to understanding how other people feel by paying attention to their words, body language, and tone of voice.

3. Music promotes group cooperation

Group musical activities, such as singing in a choir, playing in an ensemble, or dancing in a group, teach children how to work together toward a common goal. These experiences require them to listen to one another, respond to others’ ideas, and adapt their own actions to support the group. Through collaboration children learn to be sensitive to others’ feelings and needs.

4. Music fosters emotional expression

For many children, expressing emotions verbally can be difficult. Music, however, provides an alternative form of expression that can help children process and communicate their feelings. Whether through singing, playing an instrument, or improvising, children can release and express emotions that might be hard to articulate with their limited vocabulary. This emotional expression also helps them understand that others have complex feelings too, making it easier to empathize.

Activities for teaching empathy through music at home.

• Create an emotion-based playlist. Use the playlist to engage in discussion with your children about their feelings and the experiences of others. Check out the “How Do You Feel” unit of your Level 2 curriculum on the Kindermusik app.
• Incorporate music in every-day activities. Play background music while doing chores, cooking together, or relaxing in the home. Curate the music to set the mood for the activity, pointing out to your children how the music can affect their mood and feelings.
• Encourage group musical activities. Whether it’s singing, dancing, or playing instruments together, make music a part of your family life. This will help children learn about cooperation and how their actions affects others.

Teaching empathy through music falls right in line with our mission here at Song of the Heart Studios: To create a movement. A movement where childhood is honored, families are strengthened, minds are nourished, creativity is encouraged, community deepens, and hearts are filled with joy. To be the place where eyes shine and children flourish.