ClassDojo are currently running a fantastic series on empathy and it got me thinking about how the Empathy and ClassDojo can be linked in the classroom. Empathy is one of the most important skills that a child needs to navigate the world. However, in is increasingly being reported that children are lacking in this very important skill in Irish schools. We are seeing an increase in children not being able to understand that what they may say or do can affect others. Looking after children’s well being is becoming more and more important as skills that we once took for granted: being able to play, coping with setbacks and seeing things from other perspectives now need to be taught.
ClassDojo, as we know, is great for rewarding positive behaviour and showing empathy is, at its most basic, a behaviour. Wouldn’t it be a great idea to add “Showing Empathy” as one of the positive behaviours and every time a child shows empathy, they receive Dojo Points? I also think the web series would be great in SPHE lessons and would be a fantastic stimulus for Circle Time or class discussions.
