Soothing Sammy Calm Down Toy

Understanding the role of sensory components and brain development is crucial for decoding tantrums. This blog explores the importance of sensory strategies and introduces Soothing Sammy, a unique age-appropriate calm down toy, tool designed to guide children through the process of calming down using various sensory components. This is one self regulation activity that can be used to support emotions in a variety of settings.

calm down toys

The effect of brain and sensory development on problem-solving skills:

The prefrontal cortex development of the brain plays a pivotal role in a child’s ability to process problems-solve, make decisions, and moderate social behavior. This part of the brain isn’t fully developed until the age of 25.

Due to the slower paced development of the prefrontal cortex, children often react impulsively when faced with overwhelming emotions, lacking the ability to think through situations like adults. When considering the cause and effect of a behavior, children need an adult or other tool to support them through the process.

Similar to adults seeking calming sensory activities when stressed (such as coffee, chewing gum, going to the gym), children require effective strategies to manage their emotions. This is part of social emotional learning!

For children, this might look like using a calm down toy to support specific needs. Soothing Sammy is a tool that teaches children how to calm down using sensory techniques in a positive and age-appropriate way.

Sensory components directly affect how a person interacts with and interprets the surrounding environment. There are 7 components to our sensory system, and Soothing Sammy teaches children how to use each one to calm down when they are feeling overwhelmed.

The seven sensory components include:

  1. Proprioceptive: Sensory receptors located in muscles, tendons, and joints.
  2. Visual: What you see and how the colors and environment tell your body. Your brain interprets this information which either makes you feel calm or overstimulated.
  3. Olfactory: Tells your brain what you are smelling. Your brain then decodes it as good or bad.
  4. Vestibular: The vestibular system is located in the inner ear. It tells your brain about where your body is in space, including balance and spatial orientation.
  5. Gustatory: Taste buds that send information to your brain to interpret the stimuli (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, etc). 
  6. Tactile: Tactile receptors are distributed throughout the skin. These receptors respond to various stimuli, sending signals through the nervous system to the brain, where you determine what you are feeling (soft, cold, hard, squishy, etc.).
  7. Auditory: The sounds in the environment are transmitted to your brain to determine how to respond to the volume and voices in your environment.

Calm Down Toy for Preschoolers

We can support the development of these areas in regulating emotions through play. One way to teach calm down strategies to preschoolers is through the use of a calm down toy.

Calm down toys may include things like:

  • weighted or furry stuffed animals
  • social emotional books
  • soothing music
  • books that talk about emotions
  • feelings toys
  • stress balls
  • fidget spinners
  • bubbles

One set of resources that has all of these calm down toys is the Soothing Sammy program, and we’re thrilled to introduce that we are giving away a Soothing Sammy Emotions Program, created by an educational specialist designed for children ages 2 through 8.

This unique program incorporates visual and tactile elements to empower children with essential skills for independent emotional regulation. By using Soothing Sammy, children will learn how to:

  • self soothe.
  • self regulate.
  • build empathy.
  • learn feelings words. 
  • create trust with peers and adults. 
  • ask for help.
  • navigate disagreements.
  • problem-solve.
  • identify feelings.
  • connect with their peers.
  • share space and items.
  • become self- confident in response to feelings.
  • develop self-control.
  • express their feelings to others.
  • cope with emotional needs.

What’s included in the Soothing Sammy Bundle:

1.Children’s Book – “Soothing Sammy” is a story that uses simple, colorful pictures to teach calming sensory strategies to young children. Children will be introduced to jumping in place, taking a breath, listening to a favorite song and other simple sensory strategies that help them calm down. 

In the story, once the children are calm, Sammy encourages children to communicate their feelings by identifying why they were feeling overwhelmed and learn how to prevent it from happening again. When your child becomes upset, show the Sammy post-card (included) to your child. This visual cue will remind them Soothing Sammy is available to help, encouraging them to use the items in the “house” the same way the children did in the book!


2. Soothing Sammy Plush Dog (Golden Retriever) – 

At the end of the book, there are instructions on how to make a Sammy House for your child. Sammy, the plush dog, is included with the children’s book. This loveable stuffed animal reminds children about the Sammy, prompting them to work through their emotions using the sensory techniques they learned in the book.

Sammy is almost one foot long, machine washable and is safe for children ages 2 years old and up. Follow the directions in the back of the book to build a house for Sammy to live in, placing the same common household items into it as described in the children’s book. 

Placing a choice board near Sammy’s home with two or three photos of calming items on it, will help your child feel less overwhelmed when choosing a calming item. Allow your child to request an object by pointing to it. 

3.Sammy Music (MP3 Version)- Enjoy 3 Sammy Songs that teach your children that Sammy is their friend!


4.Soothing Sammy Curriculum E-Book (Digital PDF) – Introduce Sammy to children in a way they will remember what it is for. Includes Sammy corner print-outs, coloring pages and sensory activities.


5.Emotions Poster: (11″ x 17″) Add to any wall. This multi-cultural poster allows children to understand what facial expressions mean on others and show you how they feel.


6.Soothing Sammy Behavior Guide (Book) – This 200 page book includes a variety of play-based activities that make daily routines fun and engaging. Each of the 6 sections includes tips for parents and teachers on how to support positive behaviors throughout the day.

These calm down tools would be a great addition to a calm down corner or a self regulation station at home, in the therapy clinic, or at school.

Related, here are more calm down strategies for school.

Soothing Sammy’s Approach:

Soothing Sammy introduces children to a golden retriever character who guides children through different sensory objects, each targeting each of the seven specific components of the sensory system. Sammy supports a calming approach utilizing each component.

Tangible, Auditory and Visual Components:

The Soothing Sammy set includes a nearly one-foot-long stuffed animal of Sammy, along with an 80-page parent guide detailing how to use Sammy and the accompanying book in various situations. The set also provides directions on creating a “house” for Sammy, incorporating household items that children can use for self-soothing.

Soothing Sammy was written with simple text that is clear and age appropriate. Children, as young as two years old, are able to understand the teaching aspects of the story without overwhelming them with unnecessary words. 

The children’s book is intentionally created with simple images designed to calm a child that is overwhelmed and make it simple for them to interpret how to use an item to calm down. As a child looks through the picture book, they will see children using calm down items (one item on each page), giving them the ability to imitate each action. 

Visual Reminders for Calming Down

The inclusion of visual components, such as a postcard with Sammy’s photo, serves as a reminder for children to turn to Sammy when upset. The visual cues prompt children to remember the de-escalation skills they learned in the story, even when they are too overwhelmed to have a conversation with a trusted adult. 

Supporting Speech Delay:

For children with speech delays, the Soothing Sammy set offers additional support. Parents can take photos of the calming items and create a choice board, enabling non-verbal children to point to their preferences. Real pictures of children using the items further reinforce the positive impact of these activities.

Wide Applicability:

The Soothing Sammy set has been embraced by teachers, therapists, and parents of children with developmental delays, autism, and typically developing children aged 2 through 8. This emotions program provides simple solutions to overwhelming situations, making it a valuable tool for anyone that works with young children. Soothing Sammy offers a comprehensive approach to calming down through sensory strategies, providing children with the tools they need to navigate their emotions. 

Why Teachers Love Soothing Sammy:

Perfect for preschool classrooms, Soothing Sammy offers curriculum plans, sensory recipes, coloring pages, benchmark criteria, and more! Transform your classroom into a hub of emotional growth. It can be used as a week or month long emotional curriculum. Transform your preschool classroom with:

  • Curriculum Plans: Tailored for week or month-long emotional development that includes behavior tips and strategies, coloring pages, benchmark criteria/list of skills, and more!
  • Sensory Recipes: Engage children in hands-on sensory experiences.
  • Provides the perfect tools for a calm down area.
  • Using the simple phrase “Sammy Time” will help redirect children to spend some time with Sammy when they aren’t ready to problem-solve.

Why Therapists Love Soothing Sammy:

Children learn best through relatable stories and identifiable characters. Sammy’s multi-sensory approach introduces children to various systems, encouraging positive de-escalation. Sammy teaches young children how to self-soothe when they are overstimulated. The children’s book illustrates how children can use multi-sensory approaches to calm down with everyday objects (such as a ball to squeeze, listening to a song, jumping in place, taking a drink of water, crunching on a cracker and even dancing!) This child-friendly way introduces children to vestibular, tactile, proprioceptive, auditory, visual and olfactory systems, encouraging them to de-escalate in a positive way.

Why Parents Love Soothing Sammy:

Simple, easy-to-use, and no need for a therapy or educational background. Soothing Sammy equips you and your child with practical skills for preventing tantrums before they start. Tantrums are a normal part of development for young children. In order to prevent them, children need to learn how to recognize and identify their emotions, understand what they feel and why, and express their needs and feelings clearly.

The “Soothing Sammy Emotions Program” will teach children how to:

  • Calm down (instead of scream.)
  • Express how they feel (instead of stomping away.)
  • Problem-solve (instead of giving up.)

One teacher had to say this about using Soothing Sammy in her classroom…

“I have been a preschool teacher for several years, and this school year we have had many children with BIG emotions in our classroom. It was getting hard for me to come to school in the morning. Some children were screaming, some were throwing objects and others we scared of their friends.  These children were experiencing emotions that they couldn’t control, and they reacted with escalating behaviors. Then I came across the “Soothing Sammy Emotions Program.” The first time I introduced Soothing Sammy, my day went from scary to AMAZING! The children love him! I couldn’t believe it worked. Children need concrete lessons…something they can see and feel that makes calming down understandable. Sammy does that for them.

This is a testimonial from a Head Start teacher that uses Sammy in her classroom for a variety of ways.

Help an Anxious child

When children are anxious, Sammy leaves. I reminded her about Sammy and she visited his house and found a fidget to play with which. She loved it. She gave it back to Sammy when she was done. We also listened to some music and later she was ready to join circle time! She goes to Sammy now for comfort when she feels overwhelmed.

Tools for kids that are mad or frustrated

Sammy helped a child that was mad/frustrated.

We have a little boy who is very aggressive when he becomes upset. When I mention “Sammy Time” he stops his behavior instantly and walks over to Sammy for some cuddles and sensory time. When he is calm, we are able to talk about the problem and he moves on happily, remembering that Sammy is there for quiet time when he needs to regroup. This is how I know Sammy is magic!

Sammy is relatable and is the class friend!

Sammy is a star with the whole class! We have been implementing Sammy’s emotion activities in the classroom for a few weeks. The kids are really enjoying him and even want him to eat with us at meal time. We have a special dog bowl for him and he sits on a shelf while our food service worker feeds him and comes over to take food out discreetly to show he has ate his meal. They have an adorable love for Sammy, trusting him as a friend and support program.

We also talk about dogs not liking people coming over and taking their food or pet them while they eat. This led into some fun conversation and lessons around animal safety. It’s a perfect addition to our pet theme!

Sammy also takes a nap after lunch and we cover his box up with a towel (because the kids decided he likes to sleep in the dark.) They all say “night night Sammy!” and then the children settle in for their naps.

Sammy helps children at home (and parents too!)

My students are beginning to plan their own Sammy house to bring home. They have picked the color they are going to paint his house (shoe box) and what calming tools they will put in it. I am giving them a laminated picture of Sammy to put in their home. They are excited to take Sammy’s house home to help them calm down if they are angry or sad when not at school. It was really easy for me to explain to parents with the parent hand-out that comes with the set.

As a Preschool Teacher, I have come to realize that children’s behaviors are usually a cry for help or for attention… OR they just don’t know what to do with their feelings. Soothing Sammy is so much more than a toy. He is practical, functional, comprehensive, and a real asset to any preschool classroom. I don’t know where I would be without him.” – Kala, Head Start Teacher

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    Jeana Kinne is a veteran preschool teacher and director. She has over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field. Her Bachelors Degree is in Child Development and her Masters Degree is in Early Childhood Education. She has spent over 10 years as a coach, working with Parents and Preschool Teachers, and another 10 years working with infants and toddlers with special needs. She is also the author of the “Sammy the Golden Dog” series, teaching children important skills through play.

    All About Me Preschool Activities

    all about me preschool activities

    One of the most popular back to school themes for preschoolers is “All About Me.” so this blog post, loaded with all about me preschool activities (also great for the Pre-K age range) is a great one to start off the school year. The preschool activities that can be incorporated in this theme range from family identification, name knowledge, body parts and even identifying emotions. This blog includes 10 fun and simple activities that can be included in an “All About Me” preschool theme that you’ll want to do tomorrow! These All About Me worksheets are a great place to start with a theme!

    All about me preschool activities

    All About Me in Preschool

    When considering planning a thematic unit in a preschool classroom, it’s important to include all center areas, so that children have access to learning about the theme in different ways.

    In a typical preschool classroom, there are eight different center areas. Centers are a great, interactive space for preschool OT providers to work alongside the preschooler in their natural learning environment while collaborating in a push-in model of therapy interventions. These preschool center spaces include:

    1. Circle Time/Gross Motor Area
    2. Block Area
    3. Dramatic Play
    4. Library
    5. Math/Science
    6. Art
    7. Sensory Table
    8. Cozy Corner/Quiet Area

    Thematic play based units incorporate each area in a unique way. If you are wondering how to set up your classroom into centers, this blog gives amazing tips on where to place centers in the classroom space, and what to include in each area. 

    Once your classroom is set up, and you are ready to plan your “All About Me” theme, take a peak at all the information about your incoming class of students. Having resources on hand to meet the ability levels of each student is helpful. In the Level 2 The OT Toolbox Member’s Club, we have a done-for-you set of All About Me resources.

    Planning ALl About Me Preschool Activities

    Learning about what makes them each unique and special will help you decide what activities to plan throughout the first month of school. Here are some different aspects to consider:

    1. Learning objectives? What is being discussed in the classroom curriculum and how to incorporate All About Me into the topics?
    2. What is the family situation? (multicultural, specific events or situations that might impact social/emotional and regulation needs? Who is raising the child, How many siblings do they have? Any kids in foster care? Any specific life events that might impact sleep, nutrition, or learning?) Each of these components will help you be sensitive to their needs and prevent talking about any triggering topics. 
    3. How old are the students? Do you have a class of mixed aged children or are they all the same age range?
    4. Specific needs- Do any of the students have developmental delays? Are there any students with specific diagnoses? Are their IEPs or 504 plans to consider?

    Using our All About Me quick screening tool helps to establish a relationship with the child while screening or evaluating for specific skills.

    Now comes the fun part, planning all of the activities! Here is a list of activities that you can do in each area of your classroom for the “All About Me” theme!

    All About Me Circle Time: 

    Circle time is a great area of the preschool classroom to facilitate learning and play while engaging the child in their personal interests…and learning a bit about the child to foster familiarity. Here are our favorite occupational therapy circle time interventions.

    1. Sing the song and read the book “We All Sing With the Same Voice” (see video below)
    2. Have a chart/graph of the classroom eye colors. 
    3. Encourage children to talk about their families and what traditions they have. 
    4. Can’t forget the pets! Have a day where children bring in pictures of the pets to share. 

    All About Me Block Area Activities

    The block area is a great space to build fine motor skills with blocks. Try these specific activities to target an All About Me theme.

    1. Build My House: Provide various building materials such as wooden blocks, carboard boxes and fabric pieces. Encourage the children to create houses and structures that represent their home. 
    2. My Family Blocks: Prepare wooden or plastic blocks with family members taped onto them. It could be a printout of their family photos or a drawing of different family members (mom, dad, grandma, siblings.)
    3. Feelings Towers: Provide a variety of blocks in different colors. Each color represents a different emotion (e.g. red for anger, blue for sadness, yellow for happiness). Encourage the children to build towers that represent how they feel at that moment. Then, extend this activity with a feelings check in activity using the blocks.

    All About Me Dramatic Play

    We know all of the dramatic play benefits, so using pretend play in an all about me theme is a great use of time during the first few weeks of preschool or Pre-K.

    1. Family Dress-up: Set up a dress-up area with a variety of costumes and props that represent different family members, occupations and cultural outfits. Encourage the children to choose costumes that reflect their own families or cultures. 
    2. All About Me Interviews: Set up a mini-interview station, that mimics a news station. This can include an old video camera, a microphone and some costumes for news stations. Or it can be a clipboard, paper and some different pictures for them to circle during the interviews based on the information they receive. 
    3. Add Cultural Food Set: In the play kitchen area, add some foods and menus from different cultures and cuisines. Children can cook and share their favorite home meals with each other. 

    All About Me Books

    Preschool and books go hand in hand. We love to foster social emotional skills through books, and discovering who we are an in individual supports emotional development skills in the preschool years.

    Add some “All About Me” books to the library area. If you have had children create some pages that include drawings of their families, this is a great place to compile the paper together into their own “class book” and add it to the classroom library.

    These are my top 5 favorite All About Me books for preschoolers (Affiliate links) As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1. Marvelous Me: Inside and Out
    2. What I Like About Me
    3. Sammy Goes to Preschool: Celebrating Diversity Among Friends
    4. I Like Me
    5. My Body

    All About me Math/Science

    1. Body Parts Activities encourage children to learn about the different parts of their bodies in a play based way. My favorite is adding bandaids to the baby dolls so children can talk about the different parts of the body while learning about being a doctor, and becoming more comfortable visiting the doctor’s office. 
    2. My Body Flashcards and posters: You can make your own by taking pictures of each body part of the kids in your class, or you can download flashcards and posters in The OT Toolbox Member’s Club.
    3. Measuring Heights: Place a measuring tape or ruler in this area and encourage children to measure their heights. Help them chart or graph the results, comparing height of their friends and learning the words “taller, shorter, and same.”

    All About Me Art

    1. Self- Portrait Collage: Trace each child on butcher paper. Provide them with colored paper, markers, crayons, glue, yarn, fabric pieces and other scrap pieces. Encourage children to create self-portraits by filling in their outline. 
    2. Name Art: Write each child’s name on a piece of paper and invite them to decorate it using various art supplies. 
    3. Handprint Art: Trace each child’s handprint and ask them to find items inside magazines that they like. Have them to cut out the pictures and glue them inside and around their handprint. Allow them time to share what pictures they like and why.

    All About Me Sensory Activities

    Sensory play activities offer time to learn about our bodies, the world around us, and how we respond to sensory activities.

    1. Add Mr. Potato Head parts to  various sensory materials (such as rice, uncooked beans, oats, flour, rocks) and have children put them together. 
    2. Write all of the children’s names on 3×5 cards (one on each card) and hide them inside the sensory bin. Print out pictures of all the students in the class. When the children find a name, have them match the name to the photo of the child. 
    3. Print out pictures of all of the students’ faces. Laminate them and then cut each face in quarters. Hide the pieces in the sensory bin, then have the children put together for “puzzle faces” of their friends when they find them in the sensory bin. 

    Cozy Corner/Quiet Area/Calm Down

    Including a Cozy Area/Calm Down Area/Quiet area in every classroom is very important. It provides a place for children to retreat to when they are feeling overwhelmed. Find out all of the reasons why including a Calm Down Area is important. 

    1. Include items that help children calm down and identify their feelings: Introduce Soothing Sammy to the calm down area of the classroom to help children positively engage in calming down and discussing their feelings. This three-step program incorporates tactile prompts and visual cues, guided  by the firefly presence of Sammy, a golden retriever. As children explore the story of “Soothing Sammy,” the simple and age-appropriate images reinforce how to calm down, making it  accessible even for 2 year olds. After reading, the classroom can create their very own calm down kit (Sammy’s House) by using an empty box and following the directions in the back of the book. Once they place the sensory calm down items inside, add the plush golden retriever to the house and place it in the calm down area of your classroom. Encourage the children to visit Sammy’s house and read his book whenever they feel overwhelmed. This calming activity aids in promoting emotional regulation. 

    “All About Me” is one of the most exciting thematic units to be completed with preschoolers. They not only learn more about themselves, but they learn about their friends and their teachers. Completing an “All About Me” unit brings classrooms closer together and encourages new friendships to be formed.

    Jeana Kinne is a veteran preschool teacher and director. She has over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field. Her Bachelors Degree is in Child Development and her Masters Degree is in Early Childhood Education. She has spent over 10 years as a coach, working with Parents and Preschool Teachers, and another 10 years working with infants and toddlers with special needs. She is also the author of the “Sammy the Golden Dog” series, teaching children important skills through play.

    Stages of Empathy Development

    stages of empathy development

    Did you know the ability to use and practice empathy in everyday situations is a learned skill? There are actually specific and defined stages of empathy development. This blog discusses the stages of empathy development in the first five years of a child’s life. Not only do children need to understand who they are as a person and their own feelings, but how others feel. Empathy isn’t something that can be forced on a child, but it is something they can become familiar with, and understand through adult support and play based activities. 

    It’s all part of the social emotional development in kids.

    stages of empathy development

    stages of empathy development

    In this post I will be covering the stages of empathy development and some activities preschoolers can participate in, to understand and practice empathy. 

    Empathy is the development of care for others. When I was young, my mom always told me to say “I’m sorry” when I was in a conflict with my cousin. Sometimes I didn’t feel sorry (after all, he was the one that took the Ninja Turtle from me first), but I did what I was told. After a while, saying “I’m sorry” felt repetitive, with no actual meaning behind it. 

    Instead of teaching children to automatically say “I’m sorry,” without actually meaning the words, what would happen if we helped children understand how another person is feeling, and respond with care for that person’s feelings? This awareness of how others feel in a given situation is called empathy

    Empathy is a complex skill that is learned over time.

    Empathy Development

    From the time a child is born, they open their eyes and notice that they are not the only being! There could be mom, dad, nurses, and other caregivers doing everything possible to get the baby’s needs met. As a child grows, they are introduced to siblings, cousins, peers, and other adults. Every interaction a child has, provides them with opportunities to understand social structure and engagement. 

    Even though the baby doesn’t show empathy at this stage, the interactions are the beginning of empathy development.

    According to Professor Martin L. Hoffman, the main theorist on the development of empathy in childhood, “there must be parallelism of feelings and affections with thoughts, moral principles, and behavioral tendencies.” According to this article in “The Matter of Style” the four stages of empathy include the following:

    First stage (global empathy)

    Global empathy comprises the first year of a person’s life. Babies do not yet perceive others as different from themselves.

    For this reason, children may mimic feelings they see another person experiencing. You’ve probably seen the baby that mimics the facial expression of a parent when a wide eyed, funny face is made.

    Second stage (egocentric empathy)

    The second stage corresponds to the second year of life. Toddlers may be more aware that it is the other person who is going through the unpleasant situation. They are unable to understand or feel for the other person.

    A child might clearly see another child crying, but have no understanding why they are crying, or have any feelings about it. The child may go to their mother to enlist help.

    One way to foster this skill is by self-awareness skills such as using a feelings check in activity.

    Third stage (empathy for the feelings of others)

    The third of four stages of empathy development emerges from the second to the third year, or the preschool years. The child is aware that the feelings they experience are different from those of the other person, and is able to respond to them in a non-self-centered way.

    At this point, they are already in a position to understand that the other person’s intentions and needs differ from their own and, therefore, that person’s emotions may also differ from their own. Thus, for example, they become able to console.

    Fourth Stage (empathy for the life condition of others)

    The fourth stage comprises the final period of childhood. The feelings of others are perceived not only as reactions of the moment, but also as expressions of their general life experience.

    That is, they respond differently to transitory and chronic states of pain, since they take into consideration the general condition of the other.

    Activities for Each Stage of Empathy Development

    How to support empathy development in each stage:

    Ages 0–12 Months:  Supporting strong, secure attachments in infants, is essential at this age. As babies learn that others understand how they are feeling, and are supported by getting their needs met, they learn their emotions and feelings can be understood by others, even before they can talk. 

    Ages 1–3 years: To help toddlers develop empathy, describe their feelings to them, and the feelings of others around them. This is helpful when they are engaging in play with other kids, as toddlers have a harder time managing their emotions. Explain social situations to children. This develops emotional vocabulary. “Sandy was sad because she fell and it hurt. It was so nice that you gave her some ice to help her leg feel better.” 

    Ages 3–5 years: In the preschool years, children are learning how to respond to their feelings and the feelings of others. Adults can support empathy development by asking open ended questions and providing concrete ways for children to calm down and express their feelings. Example, why do you think Jeremy is so mad? Through using emotional tools such as the emotion play dough mats, children are able to regulate their feelings and learn how to communicate their needs to others. Emotional regulation games are another way to develop these skills.

    A note about the various stages of empathy:

    Children will develop empathy at the level of their social, emotional, and developmental age, not necessarily their chronological age. A seven year old child with autism who is functioning at a two year level will typically be working at the second stage of development.

    With the explosion of atypical neurodevelopment, it is not unlikely for young children to be functioning well below their chronological age. Start where they are, and move forward. Adults can practice empathy as they try and help young people move through the stages of empathy development.

    The social and emotional measures in this preschool rating scale includes empathy goals for children ages 19 months and up. As empathy development becomes a focus in Early Childhood and is essential for Kindergarten readiness, teachers and parents are looking for easier ways to teach empathy through play. 

    Another great tool is our developmental checklist.

    Empathy Activities for Preschoolers

    Empathy is one of those areas that develop through interaction and the work of the child, or play. We have many social emotional activities for preschoolers to foster this skill.

    • Pretend play is a wonderful way to teach empathy to young children. You can do this as an adult directed activity, through puppets, or assigning roles to children during large group times. Encouraging a child child to pretend to be sad for a specific reason, while having another child take care of them, will help children learn the feeling of empathy. Read here about more of the dramatic play benefits in pretend play.
    • Emotion activities that are available to complete on a daily basis, help children learn how to name different feelings in themselves and identify those feelings in others. My Soothing Sammy Puppy Activities, Bug emotions activities, Pumpkin emotion activities, and Play dough mats are all great ways to teach emotion words and feelings to preschoolers. 
    • Friendship activities such as these from the OT Toolbox. This digital download contains 50 hands-on, multi-sensory play-centered activities for anyone helping kids learn about friendship, acceptance, empathy, compassion, and differences in others. These activities encourage cooperation, negotiation and communication through play.
    • Use Books- Reading books with children is an easy way to talk about the characters, the story, and how the characters feel. Use these social emotional books for preschoolers to get started. Be sure to check out our comprehensive list of children’s books to teach the Zones of Regulation for more ideas.

    A final note on empathy

    Empathy is something that is not natural to children, but a skill developed over time. It starts with strong, positive attachments in early childhood. When children have the opportunities to practice developing their social skills by being provided a variety of opportunities to engage in play throughout early childhood, their empathy grows exponentially.

    You can support development at home, too. Adults can support the development of empathy in early childhood by asking open ended questions, creating opportunities for children to practice developing friendships through play, and providing children with concrete ways to respond to big feelings in themselves and others. It’s all part of the child development.

    Jeana Kinne is a veteran preschool teacher and director. She has over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field. Her Bachelors Degree is in Child Development and her Masters Degree is in Early Childhood Education. She has spent over 10 years as a coach, working with Parents and Preschool Teachers, and another 10 years working with infants and toddlers with special needs. She is also the author of the “Sammy the Golden Dog” series, teaching children important skills through play.