Reducing Stress and Building Trust: The Power of Empathy
Turn challenging moments into opportunities for connection
FORMAT: Self-paced
TIME: Complete at your own pace · ~7 hrs of content
CREDIT: 7 MSDE COK Clock Hours · Child Development (5) + Professionalism (2)
Instructors:Â Jenny Barrett, M.Ed. and Dr. Anne Townsend, Ph.D., M.A.Â
Course Description:
Children thrive when they feel seen, heard, and understood. But in the busy world of early childhood education, responding with empathy can sometimes feel easier said than done. Reducing Stress and Building Trust: The Power of Empathy is a self-paced online course designed to help educators build strong, supportive connections with young children by recognizing and responding to their emotions in meaningful ways.
Through a mix of video demonstrations, guided practice, and reflection exercises, you’ll learn the mechanics of empathy, explore common misconceptions, and discover strategies for navigating moments when empathy may need to be postponed. By the end of the course, you’ll have practical tools to create emotionally supportive environments that help children develop resilience, emotional regulation, and trust.
What You'll Gain
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How to recognize and respond to children’s emotions with empathy
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Why empathy builds resilience and supports emotional regulation
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Common misconceptions about empathy — and how to avoid them
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How to repair moments when empathy was missed or postponed
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Practical strategies for creating a classroom culture where all children feel understood
What educators say about learning empathy through the Mariposa Method
Empathy is one of five core skills in the Mariposa Method — these quotes come from educators who learned it as part of our full training program.
"I notice that now the children actually bring their concerns and problems straight to me. They would normally fight, scream, or have a tantrum. Tantrums have been at an all-time low for 80% of my class. I like that my students feel heard — and it's like I've gained their trust more."
— Educator, 2026
"I realized I had been inadvertently judgmental, even when I thought I was being understanding. This course taught me how to properly show and use empathy — not just feel it."
— Educator, 2026
"I see things through the child's eyes first without judgment. The children are learning to trust me more and learning how to understand their own emotions."
— Educator, 2024
This Course Includes
This course features self-paced components to learn the skills or concepts.
The self-paced components include:
- Videos of real teacher-student interactions using the Mariposa Method
- Short, focused lessons to complete at your own pace
- Interactive exercises to practice what you're learning and receive feedback
- Downloadable tip sheets to use in your classroom right away
- Reflection prompts to deepen your practice
Recommended:
- Best taken after Social Emotional Learning That Actually Works — or grab both as a bundle for $110 and save $28.
Who This Course Is For:
- Educators and caregivers of children under age 8
- Both early-career and seasoned educators
Career Development:Â
- Approved for 7 COK Credit Hours (Child Development & Professional Development)
MSDE Course ID: ME-06262025-01 - Maryland educators: MSDE reimbursement eligible — qualifying educators may receive up to $400/year toward professional development.
- Washington DC educators: DC TAP/OSSE Approved — listed on the OSSE Certified Trainers list.
What the research shows about the Mariposa Method
In an independent study by the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University of educators who completed the full Mariposa Method training:
- Educators reported measurably lower stress and greater emotional attunement
- Classrooms shifted toward more cooperation, connection, and less punitive discipline
- Benefits extended beyond the classroom — into educators' personal lives
Empathy is one of five core skills in the Mariposa Method. See the full research →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any prior training to take this course?
No — this course is designed for both new and experienced educators. No background in SEL or the Mariposa Method is required.
How long does the course take?
Approximately 7 hours of content, completed entirely at your own pace.
Will I earn professional development credit?
Yes — this course is approved for 7 MSDE COK Clock Hours (Child Development + Professionalism). Maryland educators may also be eligible for up to $400/year in reimbursement.
Is this course right for me if I don't work in Maryland?
Yes — the skills taught apply to any early childhood setting. The MSDE credit is specific to Maryland, but the course is open to educators everywhere.
What's the difference between this course and the full Mariposa Method training?
This course focuses specifically on empathy — one of five core skills in the Mariposa Method. It's a great standalone course or a first step toward the full program.
