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Does Online Schooling Help Children Become More Empathetic?

a child waving to her peers during an online class

As a parent, you need to focus on instilling a wide range of key soft skills in your child. Some of these include teamwork, self-assuredness, creative innovation, critical thinking, responsibility, and empathy. Today, we’ll focus on the latter.

In 2021, empathy is one of the most valued soft skills across the globe. Empathetic students are incredibly perceptive and intuitive. They are able to recognise instances of impartiality, step up to the plate, and play their role in setting things right. They also have stronger relationships with their family, friends, schoolmates, and teachers as they value the importance of being understanding, assistive, patient, and supportive.

These core values go a long way in helping students have an enriching schooling experience. Empathy is also considered the most valuable leadership skill. As students complete their education and start their professional lives as young adults, they are able to succeed in their new roles.

In this blog, we’ll dive deeper into how online schooling helps children become more empathetic.

Empathy-Focused Class Activities and Discussions

At Cambridge Home School, our MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers help students develop empathy by restructuring class activities and discussions.

Students are encouraged to help each other out and show their support to fellow peers who may be working at a slower pace or struggling at some point. While our teachers help these children get back on track, they also highlight the importance of being empathetic so other students get the opportunity to encourage and affirm their peers.

This approach also reduces the risk of class bullying, which is common among conventional schooling systems. Students are often ridiculed for getting an answer wrong, asking a question that’s deemed irrelevant, or struggling in any other way. Our teachers shift the focus on empathy to nip these instances in the bud.

Recommended Read: How to Navigate the Homeschooling Adjustment Phase as a Parent

Quality Interactions

a student interacting with her peers as she attends online school

Our classroom size is intentionally kept small to help students have quality interactions with their teachers and peers. Each group comprises 8 to 10 students. As they work on a class activity, attend lectures, participate in class discussions, and work on group projects, students interact closely. They are exposed to diverse thought processes from the get-go. This helps them develop a more profound respect for their peers.

Our students attend online schools from different parts of the world, including the UK, Europe (including Western Russia), Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. As they collectively come together, they learn the importance of being accepting of each other. There’s a strong focus on collective help and empathy, as opposed to self-centeredness and apathy. Our students deeply care about each other and go the extra mile to show their support and offer help.

Recommended Read: Cambridge Home School’s Independent Curriculum

How Can My Child Benefit From Cambridge Home School’s Focus on Empathy?

If you’re looking for a reputable online school that helps instil empathy in your child (among other soft and hard skills), Cambridge Home School should be your top consideration. Our school is almost always full, so we strongly recommend getting a head start on the application process.

We provide a quality online British virtual school in London to students across four schools: Primary Prep/Key Stage 2 (ages 8 to 10), Lower School/Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 13), Upper School/IGCSEs (ages 14 to 16), and Sixth Form/AS & A Levels (ages 17 to 19).

Start filling out our application form to get started or find out more about virtual school in UK here.

FAQ

Why is empathy considered an important skill for students?

Empathy is valuable not just for stronger interpersonal relationships but also for leadership. Students who are empathetic are more perceptive, understanding, and capable of helping set things right when issues arise.

How does Cambridge Home School promote empathy in the classroom?

Cambridge Home School employs MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers who restructure class activities and discussions to focus on empathy. This approach helps to create a respectful and supportive classroom environment.

What benefits do small classroom sizes offer?

Small classroom sizes, typically 8 to 10 students, allow for more quality interactions among peers and between students and teachers. This encourages an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding, making it easier to focus on empathy.

How does the diverse student body contribute to empathy?

Students at Cambridge Home School come from various parts of the world, exposing them to diverse thought processes and cultures. This helps instil a profound respect for peers and fosters a culture of empathy and mutual help.

How can I get my child enrolled in Cambridge Home School?

Cambridge Home School is a reputable online British virtual school in London, and slots often fill up quickly. It’s recommended to start the application process as early as possible to secure a place.