By Sophia, Alexander Adaire School Fit Fish reporter | Empathy is important because if someone is upset you can be empathetic with them. Say your friend is upset because their cat died, you can comfort them by putting yourself in their shoes.  

What I mean by that is, you can imagine being in their place by imagining that your cat died. That would make you upset too. And that’s a way you can be empathetic.  

Being empathic is showing others that you care for them by comforting them in hard or upsetting situations. While their situation may not affect you in certain ways, it could be a tough time for them, and by showing empathy and caring for them, you may be able to help them feel a lot better.  

Being empathetic toward others can have really good benefits like having a stronger relationship, improved communication, and better conflict resolution, according to Harvard University’s Making Caring Common Project. 

Having empathy skills can really help you in conflicts or hard situations, and not just the person you are showing empathy toward. 

Illustration by Darrell, fifth grade, Yorkship Family School, 2025-26.