Inspirational Video for Parents and Educators - Teaching Children Empathy

My brother-in-law shared a link to this award-winning documentary from Youtube, Children Full of Live, on Facebook. It is about a teacher from a primary school in Kanazawa, northwest of Tokyo, Japan, Toshiro Kanamori, draws out feelings and emotions from deep inside a class of 10-year-old students. "What's the most important thing this year?" asks Toshiro Kanamori to his students.

"To be happy!" comes the joyous response.

Kanamori Sensai believes that it is important to be happy. He reminds his pupils that they go to school to understand how to be happy and to learn to care for one another.

Every day, three children read letters to their classmates, talking honestly about their feelings for one another or events in their lives. These letters are called "notebook letters". For example, a pupil, Ren, expressed sadness over his grandmother's death. It led to many pupils sharing their feelings over the loss of their loved ones. I found these scenes really touching as it is difficult for kids to cope with the death of their loved ones. Sharing their feelings with others helps them to heal and cope with their loss better. Listening to their friends also help others empathise with one another. I think that Kanamori Sensai is really inspiring as he has taught the children to open their hearts to others, listen without judgement and show care and support for one another. In the course of the year, the children’s characters develop naturally as they share their experiences and grow to understand the value of life and of caring for one another’s feelings.

This video also serves as food for thought for educators and parents. What do we hope our kids and charges grow up to be like? Do we only want them to be straight As students and high fliers in the corporate world who lack the human touch or with no empathy for others? Or do we want them also to be compassionate and empathetic human beings who can see the deeper meaning of happiness in life? In a child's life, the family and school are their world. They look up to their teachers and parents. I think that it is important that teachers and parents can equip the kids with life skills that will nurture them to become compassionate and empathetic human beings.

Sometimes, we hear complaints that schools are not doing a good job to instill values and character in kids. Does this responsibility only fall on schools and teachers? I think character and values are shaped and formed when a child is very young. Hence, both parents and schools have a part to play in this journey. The children we are nurturing today will be the leaders of tomorrow. They will be the world of tomorrow. What type of world do we hope to see when we grow old? As parents or educators, what can we do to shape the world of tomorrow?

This is indeed an inspiring documentary. It reminds us of the importance of listening to one another and hearing one another's feelings. It also reminds us of how our words and actions can help others overcome their sadness. It serves as a reminder to us that as parents or educators, we can nurture our kids to have empathy and care for others.