Yesterday, I chatted on the phone with a lovely woman: Marilyn Perlyn. Marilyn mentioned her association with Dr. Michele Borba - another fantastic woman I met via twitter, some time ago. Marilyn chatted for a while about her conferences and teachings and about how she realized, long ago, that empathy can be taught to children...even as early as the age of two. Some parents do not believe that empathy can be taught this early; they may go so far as to say it's "silly" to think that a two-year-old could comprehend and play-out a true and real sense of empathy.

While chatting, Marilyn and I agreed that one key ingredient to preventing bullying is, of course, teaching empathy.

This got me thinking about my own childhood and in turn, my own children. My parents, as many of you know, where consistently teaching their daughters to give back, help those in need, volunteer at homeless shelters and much more. The Cycle of Volunteerism was active and thriving during my upbringing. I sometimes wonder, "Am I doing this for my kids, also? Am I teaching them empathy and compassion the way my folks taught me? I sure do hope so."

I hung up the phone with Marilyn wondering if my husband and I have done an effective job modeling empathy in our home. Are we doing enough? Is it working?

Last night, I watched my two-year-old with intense respect. He first found a baby doll in his sister's belongings about six months ago. He adopted that baby as his own. He has carried her around daily, taken her to the grocery store countless times, given her baths, slept with her, snuggled her on car rides and more. At a local thrift shop this week, I came upon a little baby bed. It cost $1 and the moment I saw it I thought, "Jack would ADORE this!" A while back he had adopted a second baby. At church on Sunday, he asked the nursery attendant if he could take home two more babies. She said, "Yes - you can bring them back next week." He now has a family of four children. {I did inform him that he will need a good job with benefits, yes.}

Here's how things went down last night...

The baby next to him is the first-born (he seems to have a special bond with that one):

I told him it was time for bed so we gathered up his children and put them into the baby bed:

He gave each one a kiss and made sure they were comfortable. He said, "My baby. My baby. Ohhh...my baby."

Finally, he patted the newest baby on the head:

After patting that baby he pointed to the big pillow on the floor. He looked at me and said, "Dadda?" His daddy sometimes stays in the room with him at night, holding his hand. He puts the pillow down and lies beside our son, helping him fall asleep. Jack really likes that. He adores his father.

As I watched all of this happen, taking photos as I saw the actions, the chat with Marilyn was solidifed for me. From the age of two, my son is showing empathy, kindness, love and gentleness. He is caring about someone other than himself. He already understands that people have needs and feelings. He feeds these babies, gives them drinks, offers them ice if they fall and much, much more.

Empathy building, as early as age two? Silly?

I think not.

ABOUT the Author:

Shara Lawrence-Weiss is the owner of Mommy Perks, Personal Child Stories, Early Childhood News and Resources and Kids Perks. She and her husband co-own Pine Media. Shara has a background in education, early childhood, nanny work, published freelance, marketing and special needs.