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Interactive Activities · Activity 3 of 18
Foster Empathy: What Would You Do If…? (Ages 8–12)
The “What Would You Do?” circle. Students sit in a circle, the teacher reads a scenario and tosses a ball to a student, who says what they would say or do; the group then discusses why that response is kind and empathic.
Key takeaways
- The activity is the “What Would You Do?” circle, for ages 8–12.
- It fosters empathy through scenarios, role modelling and guided practice.
- Students sit in a circle; the teacher reads a scenario and tosses a ball to a student, who says what they would say or do.
- Scenarios are everyday situations, such as a classmate dropping their lunch or someone sitting alone at recess.
- After each answer, the group discusses why that response is kind and empathic.
How does the “What Would You Do?” circle work?
Students sit in a circle. The teacher reads a printed or verbal scenario — for example “Your classmate drops their lunch” or “Someone is sitting alone at recess” — and tosses a soft ball or plush toy to a student, asking “What would you say or do?” The ball works as a talking piece. After the student shares, the group discusses why that response is kind and empathic.
Video transcript
Generated automatically from the video's audio or subtitles; it may contain small errors.
Activity. What would you do? Fostering empathy through scenario responses. Quick summary. Students sit in a circle. The teacher reads a scenario, tosses the ball to a student and asks, what would you say or do? After sharing, the group discusses why that response is kind and empathic.
18 videos
Differentiating Cognitive and Emotional Empathy
Ages 8–12
Discriminate Between Cognitive and Affective Empathy (Ages 13–16)
Ages 13–16
Foster Empathy: What Would You Do If…? (Ages 8–12)
Ages 8–12
Developing Empathy and Creating Scenarios
Ages 13–16
Moral Dilemmas and the Importance of Emotions
Ages 8–12
Moral Dilemmas and the Importance of Emotions (Ages 13–16)
Ages 13–16
Coping Strategies for Intense Emotions (Ages 8–12)
Ages 8–12
Strategies for Coping with Intense Emotions
Ages 13–16
Handling Conflict Constructively (Ages 8–12)
Ages 8–12
Handling Conflict Constructively
Ages 13–16
Language as an Empathetic Tool: Empathy in Digital Communication (Ages 8–12)
Ages 8–12
Developing Active Listening Skills
Ages 13–16
How Stereotypes Affect Empathy
Ages 8–12
How Stereotypes Affect Empathy (Ages 13–16)
Ages 13–16
Empathy and Textual Barriers in Digital Communication
Ages 13–16
Communicating Negative Feedback Correctly
Ages 8–12
How to Communicate Negative Feedback Properly (Ages 13–16)
Ages 13–16
Understanding How Others Feel
Ages 8–12