One of our professional development trainers recently circulated a video of children in a fourth grade class in Japan processing with their teacher, Toshiro Kanamori. It is clear that Mr. Kanamori knows a great deal about children’s emotions, empathy and how to help children process events going on their lives.
Children learning how to have each other in their hearts
Mr. Kanamori’s students have learned to write in notebooks in powerful ways, and more so, they have learned how to listen to one another. In a mere 10 minutes of video, you can almost feel the energy and connection that these children have to their teacher and to one another.
Here is the link to the video. I think it is worth a few moments of your time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=armP8TfS9Is&feature=em-share_video_user
The important concept of empathy teaches us so much.
Mr. Kanamori sees empathy as that ability to allow others to live in your heart. How insightful…and what a significant set of life lessons for our children to learn as early as fourth grade.
I think this wonderful teacher has created an emotionally and relationally healthy classroom in which children can share their lives, process some difficult emotions, recall repressed thoughts, and come to a new place of awareness.
These children feel safe to share.
They know how to help each other regulate emotions. They affirm one another, and they have each other in their hearts. Imagine if we could create these moments in every school and teach our children how to be empathetic.
My hat is off to Toshiro Kanamori who is teaching our children how to be happy by helping others. What a great way to mentor, teach and care for your students.
I hope this video will go viral. I also hope it will be an encouragement to other teachers who will be willing to create moments for a whole class to support one another with empathy.
Gerry Vassar, President/CEO, Lakeside Educational Network
