Raising Empathetic Kids

Everyone has two types of friends. One friend will listen to your issues, but is just there for you to vent. The other is a friend who is able to understand your problems by relating to your point of view. Both friends are good friends, but the differ ence between these two types of people is the skill of empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Without empathy, we cannot connect with others effectively. It allows us to build stronger relationships with friends and family. Empathy is a skill that every parent has to learn and teach to their children.

As a parent, focus on your kid’s behaviors from their point of view. For ex something and that may be the only way they know to get your attention. Teaching empathy to our children is a long and laborious task. Unfortunately, in our extremely selfish and entitled society, it is obvious that parents are blind to their childrens’ lack of empathy. So how do we teach our children the skill of empathy? Developing empathy can be broken into two categories: Imitation and Understanding.

Empathy development begins in babies through imitation. Mirror neurons allow us to naturally imitate the facial expres sions, emotions, reactions, and behaviors of those around us. Research has shown that young children who accurately imitate others are more likely to correctly determine the emotions of others as they mature. This is why it is so important to spend face to face time with your baby playing games like “Patty Cake”. As your child grows, gently use your hand to guide your child’s hand when necessary to ensure they know the right way to do activities (cleaning up toys, song motions, sports, etc). Remember, your child needs you, not your cell phone.

Empathy continues to grow through experiences. A life full of diverse experiences increases a person’s ability to understand others more clearly. When we encounter people with whom we have something in common, high levels of “feel good” hormones (dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins) are released in the brain, creating a positive connection. This is why it is so important to expose your child to a wide variety of activities, people, and knowledge. The more exposure you give your child, the better he/she will be at understanding different points of view and connecting with people.

Mastering empathy takes tremendous practice and patience. To raise an empathetic child, you must model empa thy and begin teaching this skill to your child very early. It continues to develop through exposure to a variety of people and experiences. So do not be afraid to push your children to play games they do not find interesting, read books about things they do not like, and take them places they do not want to go. Help them es. Also, expose them to people who live

Firecracker 5K

The 2023 Firecracker 5k will be held in historic downtown Pensacola and benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida. The race starts and ends at Seville Quarter and invites both runners and walkers to join the fun. Celebrate our Fourth of July themed race by wearing your red, white, and blue! Following the 5K is the Kids Fun Run. Don’t forget to grab a cold drink after the race and pick up your finisher’s medal. Please visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Pensacola/RMHCFirecracker5K to sign up.

West Florida Libraries Summer Reading Program - All Together Now

Explore the arts and culture of our community while attending library events, broaden your mind while logging the minutes you read, and enjoy a great time with family and friends in this year’s Summer Reading Program “All Together Now!” This year’s reading challenge will include a mix of logging minutes, activities, and library events. Read as much as you can and collect milestone prizes along the way. The more minutes you log, the more digital raffle tickets you’ll earn to apply for the chance to win big prizes at the end of the summer. Logging certain activities and library events will let you earn bonus raffle tickets. Pre-registration will begin on Monday, May 15. You can sign up at any location. The challenge will run from Thursday, June 1 to Monday, July 31. A paper challenge with a reading tracker, activity tracker, and special event schedule will be included in this year’s registration bag. But remember to log all your reading, activities, and events in Beanstack by midnight on Monday, July 31 to apply your digital raffle tickets for the chance to win big prizes.

Busch Light Fishing Rodeo

This year’s Busch Light Fishing Rodeo will take place June 23-26, 2023. The weigh-in is at Flounders on Pensacola Beach on Saturday from 2p-7p and Sunday from noon-6p. Cash awards and prizes await the angler who weighs in the top three fish in 21 different species. In addition to the rodeo, there is the King Mackerel Challenge and In-Shore Challenge with separate buy-in and cash and prizes awarded to the boat that brings in the biggest king mackerel and in-shore slam. There is also the Outcast Tackle and Marine Youth Rodeo and the Academy Sports and Outdoors Junior Rodeo. Ages 10 and under fish free! For more information or to register visit pensacolasports.org.

Pensacola Little Theatre Presents Puffs

Pensacola Little Theatre

Presents Puffs from June 2-June 11, 2023. For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs, who also happened to be there. A fast-paced romp through the Seven Increasingly Eventful Years giving you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children. Alongside them are the Puffs, a group of well-meaning, loyal outsiders with a thing for badgers.

For more information, please visit https://www. pensacolalittletheatre.com/shows-and-events/puffs.

Movies In the Park Series

The Movies in the Park Series will return to the Community Maritime Park this summer with free movies once each month. Bring your blankets and chairs then spread out on the lawn to watch a familyfriendly movie underneath the stars. Pre-show activities begin at 6 p.m. Movies begin at sunset. Free event parking is available at Community Maritime Park and City Hall. Come hungry because concessions are available from local food trucks! Picnic baskets are welcome too, but no pets or glass containers, please. Movies are shown at the Hunter Amphitheater with grass seating only. The movies will be shown on June 23 and July 28. Like and follow us on Facebook: Play Pensacola for movie night announcements and updates.

Special Needs Family Night at Blue Wahoo Stadium

Join Emerald Coast

Exceptional Families at Pensacola Blue Wahoo vs. Montgom ery Biscuits Game at Blue Wahoo Stadium on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 6:05pm. Fireworks will be directly after the game. Tickets are $5 per person and all special needs are welcome. Please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ special-needs-family-nite-at-blue-wahoo-tickets-61680908 1567?aff=ebdssbdestsearch for tickets.

July 4th Symphony Sparks & Stars

You are invited to celebrate Independence Day with a free concert at the Hunter Amphitheater behind the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium on July 4, 2023. Bring your chairs and blankets, and enjoy this family-friendly performance featuring patriotic favorites, an Armed Forces Salute, music from West Side Story and more. The festivities will begin at 7:30 p.m., when the United States Marine Corps will present the colors followed by the National Anthem and a flyover. The concert will wrap up just before Sertoma’s fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

Free Summer Lunch Program for Youth

West Florida Public Libraries