Raising kind, compassionate children starts with building empathy.
Finding engaging ways to teach social-emotional skills can be a challenge. This is where empathy-building apps can step in.
These interactive tools can make learning about emotions fun and accessible, offering a springboard for important conversations and fostering a deeper understanding of the world around them.
There are several empathy-building apps designed for children that can help them understand and express emotions, develop social skills, and foster compassion.
Here are some notable ones:
Empathy-Building Apps for Kids
1. Daniel Tiger’s Grr-ific Feelings
- Age Group: 2-5 years
- Description: This app helps children identify and express emotions through fun games and songs. It teaches about various feelings such as jealousy, patience, pride, and anger, and includes a simple calming technique[1][2].
2. Toca Pet Doctor
- Age Group: 2-5 years
- Description: Children care for 15 sick or injured animals, learning empathy by nursing them back to health. The app uses simple human-based cures like bandages and toothbrushes[1][3].
3. Avokiddo Emotions
- Age Group: 4+ years
- Description: This app features three characters and over 100 props to help children learn about emotions. It is particularly helpful for kids with non-verbal learning issues, as it teaches them to read facial expressions and body language[1][3].
4. Social Adventures
- Age Group: 5-7 years
- Description: Designed by speech and occupational therapists, this app includes over 40 activities, cartoons, and games to help children think about social situations and appropriate behaviors[1].
5. My DPS (My Digital Problem Solver)
- Age Group: 6+ years
- Description: This app teaches children to identify emotions through facial expressions, body language, and spoken/written language. It also suggests coping strategies for various social situations using CGI-animated videos[1][3].
6. One Globe Kids
- Age Group: 5-7 years
- Description: This app introduces children to global cultures through audio- and picture-based stories from children around the world. It fosters curiosity, openness, and understanding of different cultures[1][3].
7. Peek a Zoo
- Age Group: Toddlers and preschoolers
- Description: This app asks children to look at groups of cartoon animals and distinguish emotions such as sadness or surprise, helping them recognize and learn social cues[3].
8. Wee You-Things
- Age Group: 4+ years
- Description: An interactive book that celebrates diversity and helps children develop empathy and confidence by appreciating differences in people[3].
9. Four Little Corners
- Age Group: 4+ years
- Description: An interactive storybook app that teaches lessons on tolerance, equality, and compassion through a story about a little square living in a world of circles[3].
10. The Restricted Adventures of Raja
- Age Group: 7+ years
- Description: A bilingual digital book series about animals and emotions that helps kids practice recognizing, sharing, and regulating emotions. It includes interactive questions and games to reinforce learning[4].
11. Random App of Kindness (RAKi)
- Age Group: Teens
- Description: This app is designed to boost empathy in teens by encouraging acts of kindness and helping them understand emotional intelligence[5].
These apps provide interactive and engaging ways for children to learn about empathy, recognize emotions, and develop social skills, making them valuable tools for parents and educators.
Resources
[1] https://www.eastersealstech.com/2015/07/08/6-empathy-teaching-apps/
[2] https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-empathy-games-apps-and-websites-for-kids
[3] https://www.froddo.com/10-apps-that-promote-empathy-and-compassion
[4] https://kindnews.redrover.org/empathyapp/
[5] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-do-you-mean/202305/boosting-empathy-in-teens-theres-an-app-that-works