In this short interview, educator Nona Ikeda shares how she used the Empathy Set cards to help two students navigate a conflict at a Northern California charter school. Rather than focusing on blame or punishment, the process helped the students identify and communicate their feelings and needs, creating a pathway toward understanding and resolution.
The story offers a practical example of how emotional literacy and empathy can be taught and applied in educational settings. It illustrates how giving students a language for feelings and needs can support healthier communication, stronger relationships, and more constructive responses to conflict.
One of the questions I am often asked is whether children can meaningfully use feelings and needs language. Nona's story provides a practical example. When students are supported in identifying what they are feeling and what matters to them, they often become more capable of understanding one another and participating in their own conflict resolution.
To watch the full interview from which this portion is extracted, click here.