0:00:06.791,0:00:08.461 I grew up with two working parents, 0:00:08.461,0:00:10.741 and their schedules didn’t often align– 0:00:10.741,0:00:14.611 so my brother and I would spend [br]afternoons and long summer days 0:00:14.611,0:00:16.850 at my grandparents’ house. 0:00:16.850,0:00:20.870 This was a place where you were sure to [br]put things back where they belonged 0:00:20.870,0:00:23.625 and didn't leave objects out on the floor. 0:00:23.625,0:00:26.605 It wasn't because my grandparents [br]were strict. 0:00:26.605,0:00:29.875 My grandmother, Josie, was blind. 0:00:29.875,0:00:31.915 And if we messed with that order, 0:00:31.915,0:00:34.525 and didn't put things back[br]where they belonged, 0:00:34.525,0:00:38.145 it could cause confusion, frustration, 0:00:38.145,0:00:40.355 or even physical harm. 0:00:40.355,0:00:44.925 I remember as a kid trying to understand[br]what it would be like to navigate spaces 0:00:44.925,0:00:47.215 without my sense of sight. 0:00:47.215,0:00:50.145 I would close my eyes real tight, 0:00:50.145,0:00:53.665 and I would try to remember the way my[br]grandparents’ living room looked– 0:00:53.665,0:00:57.535 I walked with my small hands [br]outstretched in front of me– 0:00:57.535,0:01:04.165 until I ran into a chair, and then a [br]lamp, and then the wall. 0:01:04.165,0:01:08.618 It was in that moment that [br]I was in awe of her. 0:01:08.618,0:01:11.949 On the occasion that my brother and I [br]would be spending the entire day 0:01:11.949,0:01:13.309 at my grandparents' house, 0:01:13.309,0:01:15.589 we would bring along our VHS tapes, 0:01:15.589,0:01:19.119 you know pre-DVD or streaming service? 0:01:19.119,0:01:23.239 And many, if not all of those tapes were [br]Disney movies– 0:01:23.239,0:01:27.100 we were American children [br]of the late 80s early 90s. 0:01:27.100,0:01:31.210 We would sit on that bright red [br]carpet staring up at their large TV 0:01:31.210,0:01:33.960 housed in an even larger [br]entertainment center. 0:01:33.960,0:01:35.780 In between preparing meals, 0:01:35.780,0:01:39.220 my grandmother would come in and she'd sit[br]down in her recliner, 0:01:39.220,0:01:42.590 and she'd say, “Tell me about [br]your stories,” 0:01:42.590,0:01:46.400 referencing the action taking place [br]on the screen. 0:01:46.400,0:01:49.610 Aladdin was one of our favorites[br]to enjoy together. 0:01:49.610,0:01:51.680 I would describe the desert backgrounds, 0:01:51.680,0:01:55.190 the clothing on the characters, [br]the expressions on their faces. 0:01:55.190,0:01:59.240 I can recall her smile as I described a [br]“whole new world” 0:01:59.240,0:02:02.200 and that magic carpet ride [br]through the clouds. 0:02:02.200,0:02:06.450 I wanted her to feel included, [br]to be a part of what we were watching. 0:02:06.450,0:02:12.743 And those thoughts were a [br]response to my feelings of empathy. 0:02:12.743,0:02:15.733 I had this unique childhood where I was [br]learning about empathy 0:02:15.733,0:02:17.783 through my relationship with my[br]grandmother… 0:02:17.783,0:02:20.243 through our watching of Disney movies. 0:02:20.243,0:02:23.943 But I know not everyone has an[br]experience like that. 0:02:23.943,0:02:27.284 But I believe that it is important [br]and crucial 0:02:27.284,0:02:29.914 that we provide our children with [br]opportunities 0:02:29.914,0:02:34.404 to have relationships that foster [br]empathetic connections. 0:02:34.404,0:02:38.755 Now as a quick aside, I know the word[br]empathy comes with its own baggage. 0:02:38.755,0:02:41.912 Maybe in your circles it's a word that's[br]thrown around so much 0:02:41.912,0:02:43.672 that you're sick of hearing about it, 0:02:43.672,0:02:46.312 or it's lost its meaning altogether. 0:02:46.312,0:02:49.912 Or, maybe you've heard it said that[br]empathy is a “soft skill” 0:02:49.912,0:02:52.812 that needs to be shared with our students. 0:02:52.812,0:02:56.082 I attest that there is nothing “soft” [br]or mooshy about it. 0:02:56.082,0:02:59.592 Instead, it is a critical [br]skill to be honed 0:02:59.592,0:03:02.472 as we learn what it means to be human.[br] 0:03:02.472,0:03:04.202 I'm an elementary art educator. 0:03:04.202,0:03:07.252 I teach my students about [br]artists, culture, 0:03:07.252,0:03:09.452 and the purposeful use of art materials. 0:03:09.452,0:03:11.972 But I also see it as my role [br]to engage them 0:03:11.972,0:03:15.002 in conversations about [br]character education, 0:03:15.002,0:03:16.672 and specifically empathy. 0:03:16.672,0:03:21.902 But how do we often define empathy[br]to our youngest children? 0:03:21.902,0:03:23.232 Think about it. 0:03:23.232,0:03:25.252 Often times you might use the... 0:03:25.252,0:03:27.992 “Walk in someone else’s shoes.” 0:03:27.992,0:03:30.012 Sure that works as a metaphor, 0:03:30.012,0:03:33.212 but now I want you to put yourself in the[br]mind of a kindergartner. 0:03:33.212,0:03:35.272 A kindergartner that might go, 0:03:35.272,0:03:38.522 "Why am I putting on someone else’s[br]shoes!?” 0:03:38.522,0:03:40.352 That is weird to them, 0:03:40.352,0:03:44.962 they don’t understand the language we're[br]using for this really important topic. 0:03:44.962,0:03:47.400 And even a simplified definition such as 0:03:47.400,0:03:51.010 “understanding and sharing the feelings of[br]others” 0:03:51.010,0:03:53.990 is really hard to internalize [br]as a 5-year-old. 0:03:53.990,0:04:00.460 So instead, very purposeful conversations[br]about practical, observable behaviors 0:04:00.460,0:04:02.000 is necessary. 0:04:02.000,0:04:07.230 How do I show empathy in the classroom, [br]at the park with my friends, 0:04:07.230,0:04:08.701 to my grandmother, 0:04:08.701,0:04:10.881 to someone that looks[br]differently than me, 0:04:10.881,0:04:13.651 to someone that acts differently than me…? 0:04:13.651,0:04:17.061 A year ago, I was sitting around with my[br]colleagues at school, 0:04:17.061,0:04:19.251 and we were talking about [br]character education. 0:04:19.251,0:04:22.261 We were developing a[br]school-wide curriculum, 0:04:22.261,0:04:26.238 and we went around and around [br]about definitions and explanations. 0:04:26.238,0:04:30.258 And then one summer night, [br]it hit those of us in the room– 0:04:30.258,0:04:36.718 our eyes were opened to the fact, that the[br]root of empathy lies in awareness. 0:04:36.718,0:04:41.475 Awareness: “a noticing of what is [br]happening in and around you 0:04:41.475,0:04:43.533 so that you can make a choice.” 0:04:43.533,0:04:48.393 You can have a response, have [br]an empathetic response. 0:04:48.393,0:04:54.269 But first, we have to have an [br]awareness of ourselves. 0:04:54.269,0:04:56.810 I'm the grocery shopper in our family. 0:04:56.810,0:05:01.260 I take my list and enjoy the thrill of the[br]hunt as I try to stay below budget, 0:05:01.260,0:05:03.121 which I mostly do. 0:05:03.121,0:05:06.481 And one week I was notified[br]that we needed new napkins. 0:05:06.481,0:05:09.751 And I came upon these [br]illustrated beauties. 0:05:09.751,0:05:11.341 They're conversation napkins. 0:05:11.341,0:05:14.291 And we got a real kick out of them[br]as we went around the table. 0:05:14.291,0:05:17.471 Every night, we would go around[br]at dinner time and answer them, 0:05:17.471,0:05:19.841 and have fun, and laugh together. 0:05:19.841,0:05:24.021 But it really got me thinking about a very[br]purposeful teaching opportunity 0:05:24.021,0:05:26.739 I had with my own family. 0:05:26.739,0:05:30.789 And so, I thought, we often times [br]talk about our feelings 0:05:30.789,0:05:32.619 "I'm happy," "I'm sad," 0:05:32.619,0:05:37.259 but do we spend time together [br]talking about why we feel that way? 0:05:37.259,0:05:40.546 And so I've gotten into the practice of [br]asking my 5-year-old daughter 0:05:40.546,0:05:43.886 about her day at school in this way: 0:05:43.886,0:05:47.696 I say, “Tell me about a part of your[br]day when you were proud. 0:05:47.696,0:05:51.426 Tell me about a part of your day [br]when you were frustrated. 0:05:51.426,0:05:55.276 Tell me about a part of your day [br]when you were really excited.” 0:05:55.276,0:05:58.796 Different nights I may ask about a [br]different emotion, a different feeling. 0:05:58.796,0:06:00.986 My favorite, "Tell me about [br]a part of your day 0:06:00.986,0:06:04.286 where you laughed so hard [br]you fell on the floor." 0:06:04.286,0:06:06.866 And I'm also sure as the adult, [br]to tell her 0:06:06.866,0:06:11.866 that I too, in that day, had moments [br]where I was scared, 0:06:11.866,0:06:14.114 and moments that I was proud, 0:06:14.114,0:06:19.084 and definitely moments where I laughed[br]so hard that I fell on the floor. 0:06:19.084,0:06:23.861 But you see, she's quick. [br]She's real quick. 0:06:23.861,0:06:29.002 And one day, I said, “Tell me about a [br]part of your day when you were sad." 0:06:29.002,0:06:31.692 And she said, "Well I wasn't sad, 0:06:31.692,0:06:37.342 but my friend Ellie was sad when she [br]didn’t get to play with the magnatiles.” 0:06:37.342,0:06:41.662 See, the observed behaviors and [br]feelings of others 0:06:41.662,0:06:46.963 have become a part of who she is as[br]a person, and as a friend. 0:06:46.963,0:06:51.781 And it all leads us to having [br]an awareness of others. 0:06:51.781,0:06:54.277 I was teaching a unit on architecture 0:06:54.277,0:06:57.267 when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston. 0:06:57.267,0:06:58.897 And it was to my fourth graders, 0:06:58.897,0:07:02.227 and I had several fourth grade [br]students come to class asking questions 0:07:02.227,0:07:04.017 about how this natural disaster 0:07:04.017,0:07:06.947 would affect the buildings in the city. 0:07:06.947,0:07:11.443 And they were asking these questions,[br]they led us to other conversations 0:07:11.443,0:07:13.695 and soon we were talking [br]about how the elements 0:07:13.695,0:07:16.465 would affect the lives [br]of the people there. 0:07:16.465,0:07:21.455 Soon the whole class was in conversation,[br]and I sat back and listened, 0:07:21.455,0:07:25.756 as I watched them turn the story into [br]about the art room 0:07:25.756,0:07:27.116 of the students in Houston, 0:07:27.116,0:07:31.666 and watching them almost see themselves[br]in that place, 0:07:31.666,0:07:36.012 to then begin having conversations about[br]what would happen to the art supplies, 0:07:36.012,0:07:40.950 and the furniture, and all of the art work[br]that they had spent their time on. 0:07:40.950,0:07:44.871 As I listened, I wanted[br]to provide them with another opportunity, 0:07:44.871,0:07:49.581 a way to artistically process the thoughts[br]and the feelings that they had. 0:07:49.581,0:07:52.661 So, what I did is I introduced them to[br]two artists 0:07:52.661,0:07:58.891 that cover items, and rooms, [br]and actual houses with polka dots. 0:07:58.891,0:08:03.161 What these artists are doing is talking[br]about our unity, about trauma, 0:08:03.161,0:08:04.741 about community. 0:08:04.741,0:08:09.911 And as a result, we created this[br]5 foot tall house structure. 0:08:09.911,0:08:13.270 Now there's a lot more here than just [br]playful polka dots– 0:08:13.270,0:08:16.900 each of those dots represents [br]an art supply 0:08:16.900,0:08:20.900 that a fourth grade student donated[br]to a school in Houston. 0:08:20.900,0:08:28.246 See it wasn't health supplies, or food, [br]but it was art supplies. 0:08:28.246,0:08:31.190 It had become very real to them. 0:08:31.190,0:08:35.700 The idea that our room, our art room is a[br]safe place 0:08:35.700,0:08:40.537 where they learn about themselves, [br]about community, about the world, 0:08:40.537,0:08:42.063 all while having fun. 0:08:42.063,0:08:44.833 And the idea that there'd be [br]children in Houston 0:08:44.833,0:08:47.773 that maybe miss out[br]on those opportunities 0:08:47.773,0:08:50.383 really resonated with them. 0:08:50.383,0:08:53.343 It became real to them. 0:08:53.343,0:08:57.093 See these thoughts, these [br]feelings of empathy, 0:08:57.093,0:09:00.963 led to practical practice... 0:09:00.963,0:09:05.518 Their awareness led to practical practice. 0:09:05.518,0:09:10.028 I no longer sit on the floor in front my[br]grandmother watching Disney movies. 0:09:10.028,0:09:12.368 Those days are long gone. 0:09:12.368,0:09:18.398 But now, I sit on the floor next to my[br]5-year-old daughter, also named Josie. 0:09:18.398,0:09:22.917 We watch as Aladdin and Jasmine take [br]flight on the magic carpet. 0:09:22.917,0:09:26.066 And there's this moment where the[br]carpet takes a deep dive 0:09:26.066,0:09:34.476 and Princess Jasmine braces herself in [br]fear by covering her eyes with her hands. 0:09:34.476,0:09:38.716 As she does so on the screen, [br]so does my 5-year-old daughter. 0:09:38.716,0:09:42.712 She is experiencing empathy [br]for this animated princess, 0:09:42.712,0:09:46.562 she's experiencing fear along with her. 0:09:46.562,0:09:52.252 But it’s then that Aladdin responds [br]to Jasmine and he says, 0:09:52.252,0:09:57.712 “Don’t you dare close your eyes” [br]and he pulls her hands from her face, 0:09:57.712,0:10:02.022 opening her eyes to the experiences [br]around her. 0:10:02.022,0:10:07.082 And as he does, so do I with [br]my 5-year-old daughter. 0:10:07.082,0:10:09.422 I pull her fingers from her face. 0:10:09.422,0:10:14.452 May we open our children’s eyes to the [br]world around them 0:10:14.452,0:10:20.708 to engage them in opportunities, thoughts,[br]actions, and relationships, 0:10:20.708,0:10:23.732 that get them to not only “walk in someone[br]else’s shoes” 0:10:23.732,0:10:28.302 but to live lives that consider others[br]more than themselves. 0:10:28.302,0:10:29.371 Thank you.