We'll help kids develop the three components of empathy:
Emotional empathy - understanding your own emotions
Cognitive empathy - understanding how other people feel
Compassionate empathy - taking action to care for ourselves and others
And, we'll do it all through enriching, outdoor play!​
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In our MOLE classes, we follow the Tinkergarten curriculum and way of learning. We play, explore, create and work together to learn -- and have fun!
Learn more about developing Empathy in this article by Tinkergarten Founder Meghan Fitzgerald.
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Class Options
Our Empathy mini series classes are in session during the month of June (if you cannot find a class, it is either full or was closed due to low enrollment. Please reach out with any questions!)
Each class includes one hour of in-person, expert led playful learning as well as digital resources to extend learning at home.
Option #1 - Full Season
Register for the full season (Thursdays or Saturdays for 4 weeks meeting one hour each week) of classes at a discounted cost. Join at any point during the season and classes will be prorated.
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Option #2 -Drop In
Check out our class calendar and register for as many dates that fit for your family's schedule.​
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Our Learning Map
Trial Lesson - Stone Soup​
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We’ll take inspiration from a classic tale
of community and collaboration as we
work together to transform stones, water
and the natural treasures around us into
a marvelous soup.
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As we create our own soups, then
combine them together, we celebrate
how unique we each are, while also
reinforcing the power of community.​
Lesson 1 - Emotion Potions​
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We kick off by identifying the six basic
human emotions and learning to read
others' emotions by looking at their faces.
Then, we'll grab some water and a jar or container, and add various ingredients to whip up
“emotion potions”—all to help kids recognize
and express the full range of human emotions.
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Each of us experiences a range of
different emotions at different times
and in different situations. Making
potions or art/music to represent
emotions can be a helpful way to help
kids not only recognize but regulate
emotions.
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Lesson 2 - Forest Friends
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Next, we'll help kids
turn an ordinary sock into their own "Forest
Bunny." Then, we'll introduce our new bunnies
to our outdoor classroom and our class
community.
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Pretending and play with dolls or
"stuffies" can help kids form strong
roots of perspective-taking that grow
into more sophisticated cognitive
empathy.​
Lesson 3 - Room for All
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In this lesson, inspired by a beautiful book
about inclusivity, we'll work together to
use the materials around us to create an
umbrella big enough for all of us to fit
under.
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If we work together, we can help ensure
that everyone feels and truly is included,
valued and welcome in our community. A
sense of belonging is a universal need,
and communities in which everyone is
included are the strongest for all of us.​
Lesson 4 - Celebrate the Earth​
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We'll wrap up our spring empathy series
with a party for the earth and promises to
care for our planet by whipping up a
pretend feast to celebrate our planet and our community.
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Celebrating and showing care for the
earth not only makes us more
compassionate, but also lays a foundation
for stewardship to our planet.
This lesson is also a time for celebrating
all that we've learned!​
If a class is cancelled due to unsafe weather, your family will be given a code to participate in one class during a future season at no extra cost.