How can the topic of empathy be integrated into elementary religious and social education as a means of value formation? It is the aim of this study, using practical examples, to show the determining factors of empathic and prosocial competencies. Above all the intention is to effectively broaden training and further education in terms of empathic competencies in dealing with parents and children, and purposefully intervene in the context of religious education in order to nurture empathic behaviour as a pre-requisite of emotional and prosocial development. This approach provides a clear chance for a subject-oriented and also educationally oriented concept that builds on children's competencies and offers specific possibilities for encouraging their development.

Dr. Caroline Teschmer ist wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin für Praktische Theologie / Religionspädagogik an der Universität Osnabrück.