As adults, we encourage children to be kind and polite. Words and phrases such as “please,” “thank you,” and “I’m sorry” are a big part of kindness and politeness, but there’s another important piece that can get overlooked: empathy (understanding and caring about how someone else is feeling).

Watch the video together and notice how Murray learns the concept in his own way. At the end, join Murray and his human friend in celebrating empathy…with a happy dance!  

After a violent event, we feel empathy for those who are hurting. Explain that expressing empathy helps others feel a little better. Depending on circumstances, you might send cards or online messages to the affected community.