Mel and I are really enjoying our time with the youth in Little Harbour, Nova Scotia. Our empathy workshop went really well and we both feel inspired by the empathy and kindness demonstrated by these young people. It gives us hope.
Our session started with an opening circle reflecting on what we learned last session and a discussion on the meaning of empathy and how we can take ACTION to show empathy in our community.
We played people bingo so we could get to know each other more with dance breaks in between. We then paired up with partners to do a dowling dance, a dance where, using dowling and our fingertips, we first connect with one individual, keeping the dowling from falling as we move about the room, then connect with another couple and so on until we have expanded into a large circle with all of us dancing together. Our main art activity was making cards and ornaments to give away to people in our community to show them that we care and appreciate them. In our closing circle we made a commitment to take ACTION and shared ways to show kindness.
Here some of the actions the youth committed to practicing:
1. Hold the door for someone.
2. If you see someone frustrated or left out, ask if they are okay and offer to help.
3. Be kind to everyone.
4. Compliment people more.
5. Make people smile.
6. Be kind.
7. Be more helpful.
The commitment of youth in Little Harbour to showing a little more empathy each day will surely go a long way. We can all learn from the actions of these young LEADers.