When children have limited social interaction, it’s harder for them to take on the perspective of others, which is an important way children build empathy. This activity introduces a creative way to get children to put themselves in another’s “shoes.”
Instructions
- Ask children to come up with a list of at least three animals that walk or run. For example, a caterpillar, a crab, and a giraffe.
- Invite children to move across the room as each of those three animals.
- When all children have had a turn acting like each animal, spend some time reflecting as a group.
Consider asking these questions:
- How did you move your body differently to match each animal’s movement?
- How does crossing the room like this make you think differently?
- What about the animal’s walk was different from the way you normally walk?
Thanks Bay Area Discovery Museum for the idea!