Stanmore Public School

Respect - Resilience - Responsibility

Telephone02 9569 1638

Emailstanmore-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Teaching empathy with Affective Statements

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At Stanmore Public School, we're supporting students to develop emotional intelligence and empathy through the use of affective statements.

Affective statements are simple but powerful expressions that let children know how their behaviour impacts others.

These statements use "I" language to express personal feelings, helping children become more aware of how their actions affect those around them.

For example, instead of saying “Put your towel on the rack,” an affective statement might be: “It upsets me that you leave your towel on the floor, can you please hang it up?” Or, to reinforce positive behaviour: “I’m really pleased that you hung up your towel.”

By modelling this language, we help students build empathy and begin to reflect on how their behaviour influences others. Over time, this fosters a more thoughtful, respectful learning environment for all.

THE CHEAT SHEET

  1. I statement: talk about how the behaviour makes you feel
  2. Awareness: let the person know their behaviour impacts you
  3. Empathy: helps create an understanding the behaviour has an effect on everyone


They represent personal expressions of feeling in response to specic positive or negative behaviours of others.


 

Short video

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What does it look like at home and school?

HOME default statement HOME restorative statement
"Please set the table for dinner" "I would be really pleased if you set the table for dinner"
"Don't leave your shoes in the hallway" "I'd like to see your shoes put away, so no one trips on them"
"Thank you for being kind to your sister" "It makes me overjoyed to see you being kind to your sister"

SCHOOL default statement SCHOOL restorative statement
"Please put your hat on" "I'd really love to see you wear your hat properly"
"Thanks for lining up" "It makes me proud to see you lining up properly"
"Please don't swear" "It is upsetting to me hearing you use such offensive language; please choose your words carefully"


Student represents Sydney East at State AFL Championships

Teaching empathy with Affective Statements