Compassion is the capacity to understand the emotional state of another and have genuine feelings for other people's circumstances and feel motivated to support and assist. It requires a certain level of awareness, concern, caregiving and empathy. The benefits of showing compassion are numerous: increased happiness and decreased depression; promotes social connection; increased self-esteem, empathy, and well-being. Self-compassion is also an essential soft skill that support children and students’ mental health and emotional resilience. Compassion requires action. It is not a skill you can learn simply by watching as a truly compassionate person becomes an active participant. Self-compassion is the care and nurturing we offer ourselves when we make mistakes, come short of a goal we were hoping to achieve or are disappointed with our actions. It serves an important function for self-kindness and forgiveness reducing feelings of anxiety and depression. The activities sourced and designed provide opportunities for children and students to looking inside and to understand emotions, and responses to life events. The development of positive self-love will better equip children and students to have compassion for others and themselves.

Reading Buddies is an activity concept that pairs older readers with younger readers for reading time with books. This activity is an opportunity for our Senior students to share their knowledge of compassion through storytelling and book reading. Powerful moments of connection can occur when learning together ‘and concepts of care and compassion are explored.