How to Use the We Care Center in Shubert’s Classroom

The We Care Center provides children with a symbolic way of expressing empathy, encouragement and compassion for others. Empathy is powerful in regard to discipline because it helps children to own their feelings rather than blame or attack others.

The We Care Center encourages children to offer a symbolic form of caring that will vary depending on age. It often revolves around a bin or case filled with props that help children demonstrate caring for others. A young child might offer a stuffed animal or some booboo lotion to a classmate, while an older child might write a note card or share an I Love You Ritual. The form of the offering is less important than the act of recognizing another’s distress and offering an understanding, caring gesture. When children do this, they simultaneously become more accepting of their own upset internal states so they can move through them in healthy ways.

You can find important information and delightful activities that support the We Care Center in Chapter 15 of Creating the School Family. Chapter 6 of The NEW Conscious Discipline Expanded & Updated book shows the importance of empathy to developing emotional intelligence and wiring the brain for self-control. Music that supports the We Care Center includes “Who” on Kindness Counts, and “That Was Helpful” and “Caring Friends” on It Starts in the Heart.