When does a baby start showing empathy?

The discovery of the first signs of empathy in babies fascinates parents and early childhood professionals alike. Observing the first signs of the development of empathy often raises questions about a young child's capacity to perceive and understand the emotions of others.

From what age does a child become sensitive to the emotional states of those around them? How can this consideration for others be recognised when it first awakens in a baby?

Empathy does not emerge all at once: it is part of a set of social skills that gradually appear over the course of development. Far from being the preserve of adults, empathy in babies emerges in stages, its progression leaving a touching impression on the interactions between parents, children, and those close to them.

What is empathy in babies?

Empathy in babies is defined as the ability to recognise and respond, in one way or another, to the emotions of others. Even before being able to give a verbal meaning to this, the child already displays early reactions to the sadness, joy, or discomfort expressed by those around them. These responses form the foundation of the prosocial behaviour that will be observed later on.

The development of empathy follows a complex path: it first involves self/other differentiation, that is, the gradual awareness that one's own feelings are not necessarily shared or experienced by others. This stage is essential for gaining access to the understanding of emotions in a broader social context.

The key stages in the development of empathy in young children

Contrary to what some might imagine, the age at which empathy appears cannot be reduced to a single precise moment. Several milestones mark this journey, and each child progresses at their own pace, influenced by temperament, environment, and the quality of daily interactions.

Early recognition and emotional imitation

From the very first months of life, it is not uncommon to see an infant display a response to another's distress by crying themselves. This phenomenon, sometimes described as emotional contagion, represents the very first form of empathy in babies. The child responds spontaneously in this way, without yet fully distinguishing between their own emotions and those they perceive in others.

During the first six to nine months, observation of others' emotions progresses notably. The baby watches attentively the face of those around them, responding to a smile or a grimace by imitating these expressions. Even if this imitation stems from a reflex mechanism, it lays the foundations for relationships imbued with emotional sharing. Games that allow these non-verbal exchanges to be explored, such as those involving non-verbal communication in babies, foster social learning from the earliest age.

Diversification of reactions and the beginnings of consideration for others

Between 12 and 18 months, the child gradually begins to differentiate their own emotions from those of others. They may also develop reactions suited to another person's situation, going beyond simple imitation or contagion. For example, when faced with a companion's sadness, the young child may offer their comfort blanket or seek the reassuring gaze of an adult.

This accumulation of small acts of consideration marks the entry into cognitive empathy, where the young child genuinely attempts to understand what someone else is going through.

Later on, this skill will naturally encourage the emergence of prosocial behaviours such as offering comfort, sharing, or spontaneous help.

Certain resources such as activities to encourage cognitive development also contribute to the progressive development of attention, understanding of emotions, and solidarity in children.

What factors influence the emergence of empathy in babies?

The pace at which each baby develops empathy varies considerably. Several contextual and personal factors actively contribute to the growth of this social skill.

Looking at individual differences, it seems clear that neither gender nor character alone determines the richness of consideration for others.

Among the notable influences, the quality of the attachment bond generally occupies a central place in the development of empathy. A caring relationship with an adult, marked by words, gestures, and great emotional availability, greatly fosters the capacity to decode and share emotions.

Quality of parent-child interaction

Exposure to varied situations (nursery, siblings, groups of friends)

Emotional stimulation in the environment

Modelling by example

Self/other differentiation also proves to be an important milestone, reached according to a timetable that belongs to each child. Some little ones display heightened sensitivity from as early as 14 months, whilst others will take a little longer to offer a specific empathic response to the sadness or discomfort of someone close to them.

How can the understanding of emotions and the expression of empathy be encouraged?

Supporting a baby towards the awakening of empathy requires patience and regularity in daily interactions. Everything often hinges on the attention paid to words, gestures, and signals emitted by the child as well as the adult. Imitative play, shared stories and tales offer excellent opportunities to explore the understanding of emotions.

Prioritising listening and verbalising emotions

Putting words to the feelings experienced by the child greatly helps to structure their understanding of emotions. Saying "I can see you are sad because your toy is broken" allows the lived experience to be connected to its emotional consequences. The child then learns to associate an internal state with an event, opening the way to a better recognition of emotions in others.

In turn, naming emotions in others encourages the baby to practise consideration for others. Pointing out that "Paul cried because he hurt himself" leads the child to look at the event from an outside perspective, thus stimulating the development of conscious empathy.

Encouraging imaginative play and sharing

Around the age of two, role-play games become particularly effective for encouraging the emergence of prosocial behaviours. Playing with dolls, acting out family scenes, or inventing stories trains the child to explore different emotional stances and to exercise their capacity to respond to another's distress.

These special moments contribute to making the child more attentive to the needs of others, whilst strengthening mutual trust and the motivation to act positively towards those around them. Social mimicry, enriched by the diversity of scenarios, reinforces the foundation of cognitive empathy for the rest of development.

Frequently asked questions about the beginnings of empathy in babies