Empathy Small Group - Elementary

Support students as they build stronger relationships and social awareness with this engaging 6-week Empathy small group curriculum. Students will learn to identify their own emotions, recognize emotions in others, practice empathy, consider different perspectives, and strengthen active listening skills through interactive games, discussions, and hands-on activities.

Aligned with ASCA and CASEL standards, this ready-to-use curriculum is perfect for Tier 2 school counseling groups. Students will develop empathy and compassion, strengthen perspective-taking skills, and build positive, respectful relationships with peers.

Empathy Group Outline:

Week 1: Emotional Recognition

Week 2: Developing Empathy

Week 3: Practicing Empathy

Week 4: Perspective Taking

Week 5: Active Listening

Week 6: Reflect and Practice

Activities Included:

• Emotion scavenger hunt
• Emotion charades
• Feelings check-ins
  
• Perspective-taking video discussion
• Discussion dice game
• Twenty Questions game
• Find-a-Question scavenger hunt
• Back-to-Back active listening activity
• Switcheroo perspective-taking game
• Reflection and discussion prompts

Here is what's included each week:

Outlines: Easy-to-implement outlines with ASCA and CASEL-aligned objectives.

Group Rules: Suggested and DIY Group Rules poster so students can help establish expectations for the group.

Feelings Check: Feelings Check poster to help students identify and reflect on their emotions at the beginning of every session.

Self-Assessments: Pre and post-group self-assessments make progress monitoring and data collection simple.

Engaging games and activities: Everything you need is included for each session. Simply print, prep, and you're ready to meet with students.

Hands-on activities: Interactive games, discussion prompts, and printable resources help students practice empathy and apply new skills in real-life situations.

Benefiting Students:

Each session helps students recognize their own emotions while learning to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. Students practice perspective taking, active listening, and compassionate responses through engaging activities that encourage meaningful discussion and reflection.

By participating in this empathy small group, students will strengthen their social awareness, build healthier peer relationships, improve communication skills, and develop empathy they can use both in and out of the classroom.

Saving Time:

With easy-to-follow outlines, engaging activities, and all materials included, this empathy small group curriculum is extremely low-prep. Simply print each week's materials before your group begins and you're ready to go.

The included pre- and post-group self-assessments make it easy to collect meaningful data and share student growth with teachers, administrators, and families. The clear instructions and reusable activities allow you to use this curriculum year after year.

Who is this Group Designed For?

This Empathy small group is designed for elementary students who need additional support with social awareness, emotional recognition, perspective taking, and relationship skills. It is ideal for Tier 2 intervention groups and can be adapted for a variety of grade levels and student needs.