New research led by Bill Nicholl and Ian Hosking at the University of Cambridge suggests that teaching children in a way that encourages them to empathise with others measurably improves their creativity, and could potentially lead to several other beneficial learning outcomes. The findings are from a year-long University of Cambridge study with Design and Technology (D&T) year 9 pupils (ages 13 to 14) at two inner London schools.
Alongside this, a study supported by Dr Helen Demetriou, also from Cambridge University, involving 900 students aged 5 to 18 in six countries found that a short programme of empathy lessons led to measurable, positive changes in their conduct, emotional awareness and curiosity about different cultures.
Both reports are available on the University’s website: here and here.
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