Empathy Week (9-13 March 2026) is a festival of films, storytelling and events designed to help children aged 5-18 develop empathy — understanding how others feel, seeing the world from different perspectives, and connecting with diverse cultures.
West Midlands Police has also been investing in empathy-based approaches in policing, for example using virtual reality training to help officers see things from the perspective of victims. Parents can draw on that same spirit when helping children get the most out of Empathy Week.
Here are some ways parents can support their children during Empathy Week:
1. Talk about what empathy means
Explain in everyday language: noticing how someone else might be feeling, imagining what it’s like to walk in their shoes.
Use examples your child might already know (friends, school situations, siblings) to illustrate.
Encourage reflections: ask “How do you think that person felt?” rather than jumping immediately to “What should they have done?”
2. Engage with Empathy Week activities together
Explore the films, stories, and resources provided by Empathy Week. Many are designed for different ages, so choose ones appropriate to your child.
If a school offers assemblies or discussions, ask your child about them—what they liked, what surprised them, maybe what they found difficult.
At home, watch a short film or read a story together and pause to discuss: “What do you think that character is feeling?”, “Why did they act that way?”, “What might you do in their place?”
3. Model empathy in everyday life
Children learn a lot by observing adults. Show empathy in your interactions with others (neighbours, friends, people in service roles).
When conflicts or disagreements come up at home, guide your child through thinking about others’ feelings as well as their own.
Demonstrate empathy in how you talk about current events, cultural differences, and challenges people face in your community.
4. Encourage cultural awareness and curiosity
Empathy Week’s theme is “My | Your | Our Culture” — a chance to explore the lives, traditions, and perspectives of people from different backgrounds.
Share stories from your heritage or culture; talk about the cultures of people you live near, or cultures different from your own.
Read books, watch documentaries or programmes about different communities. Maybe try cooking food from another culture, learning about festivals, or listening to music.
5. Create safe space for difficult feelings
Sometimes seeing or hearing others’ stories (about injustice, loss, suffering) can be upsetting. Let your child know it’s okay to feel sad, angry, confused.
Be ready to answer questions honestly but age-appropriately. If you don’t have all the answers, it’s fine to say you’ll look them up together.
Reinforce that empathy doesn’t mean taking on others’ pain, but being able to understand and compassionately support. Boundaries matter.
6. Connection with the wider community
Encourage children to think beyond their immediate circle. Could they volunteer, help a peer, or get involved in community activities where they meet people from different walks of life?
Use local opportunities: libraries, community centres, faith or cultural groups often have events or workshops that tie in with themes of inclusion, respect, understanding.
7. Use the policing perspective as a learning tool
West Midlands Police are using innovative ways (notably virtual reality) so officers can see what it might be like to be vulnerable, or to be a victim of violence or harassment.
Share this with children: how and why institutions like the police are investing in empathy training.
Discuss questions such as: How might it change an officer’s behaviour if they’ve experienced a scenario from someone else’s point of view? or Why might empathy be important in keeping people safe?
8. Keep empathy going after the week
Empathy Week can be a spark, but for it to matter, it helps to build habits: regular conversations about feelings, different perspectives, and kindness.
Encourage your child to journal, draw, or express what they’ve learnt or felt during Empathy Week.
Praise acts of kindness, not just big ones but the small daily ones (sharing, listening, helping).
Why it matters
Empathy isn’t just a “nice-to-have”. Research shows that cultivating empathy in children is linked to:
Lower bullying, more inclusion in schools
Better mental health – feeling understood and being able to understand others
Stronger communities where people respect differences
When children grow up in a culture that values empathy, there tend to be fewer divisions and more cooperation. The approach West Midlands Police are taking signals that empathy plays a role in safety, fairness, trust in institutions.
Final thoughts
Empathy Week 2026 is a terrific opportunity for families in the West Midlands to pause, reflect, and grow together.
Parents can support their children best by:
being curious and open
using the tools provided (films, stories, assemblies)
modelling compassion and understanding
helping translate broad ideas into everyday life
If we all play a part, we help build a stronger, more understanding community — one where young people feel heard, respected, and capable of making a positive difference.
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