Teen Milestone: Showing Empathy

Your teen is a lot better at reading people and picking up on situations than you might think. That ability to “read the room” is key in building a foundation for empathy. Now is the time that your teen will start trying to see and feel things from other people’s perspectives. When you notice them showing empathy in a situation, support and encourage a compassionate response. “Character development responds to feedback and direction,” says Dr. Ken Ginsburg, founder of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. As our society continues to experience intolerance and injustice, empathy and compassion are more important than ever.

Discover more teen milestones.