Teaching Empathy at Home: How Books Can Help Raise Kinder Kids
Teaching empathy at home starts with a willingness to read and reflect with your kids.
As the back-to-school season approaches, many of us are checking supply lists, shopping for new shoes, and adjusting sleep schedules. But there’s one preparation that often gets overlooked—and it may be the most important of all.
A friend of mine, Tacie, recently shared a heartfelt message on social media that struck a deep chord:
“Sit down with your child for 5 minutes and explain that there is no reason to make fun of someone for being tall, short, chubby, skinny, Black, white, Asian or Hispanic. Autistic, etc. There’s nothing wrong with wearing the same shoes every day. A used backpack carries the same dreams as a new one…”
The message ended with a simple but powerful reminder: Education starts at home.
And it does. Long before our kids step into the classroom, they’re learning from us—about kindness, inclusion, and how to treat others. And one of the most impactful tools we have as parents and caregivers is books.
Why Books?
Stories have a unique way of helping kids see the world through someone else’s eyes. Through books, children can walk in the shoes of someone who is different from them—whether it’s a character who stutters, wears hand-me-downs, or speaks another language at home. When a child sees these characters treated with dignity and kindness—or better yet, when these characters shine—it sends a message that sticks.
Books can help us start conversations that might otherwise feel awkward or complex. They can also help reinforce the values we’re already trying to instill.
What to Look For
When choosing books that help teach empathy and respect for differences, look for stories that:
Celebrate diversity without stereotyping
Show characters navigating challenges with courage
Highlight inclusion and friendship
Prompt open-ended questions like “How would you feel?” or “What would you do?”
You don’t need a formal curriculum—just a willingness to read, reflect, and talk.
A Few of Our Favorites
Here are a few children’s books that gently explore themes of kindness, diversity, and inclusion:
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
Fiona the Lost Sheep – a gentle story about compassion, belonging, and being found when you feel lost
(And yes, that last one is a shameless plug—but if you’re here, you know how much I believe in stories that teach.)
Let’s Raise a Kinder Generation
Back-to-school season is a great time to reset—not just for routines and academics, but for how we show up in the world. Let’s teach our kids that kindness isn’t something you bring to school in a backpack. It’s something you carry in your heart.
So before the first bell rings, take five minutes to talk. Read a story that opens a window into someone else’s life. Let your child ask questions. And remind them:
It costs nothing to be kind.
But it means everything to someone else.