Education is broadening its focus from main academics to include emotional and social skills. Empathy is a skill that is increasingly sought after, not just in classrooms, but also in professional spaces.
But how does one learn empathy?
Read. Read more.
Research shows that reading literature helps readers understand characters, their thoughts, motivations, and feelings.
Readers also predict what will happen next to characters, and link actions to consequences. These skills translate to the real world, where readers can understand the motivations and feelings of people they interact with, as well as predict what they may do next.
Why are employers emphasizing empathy?
by Bryan Green:
image source: Youth reading, Persian miniature by Reza Abbasi, 1625-6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_(visual_activity)
