Empathy at 18 Months: Early Signs and Development

Kids 8–12 · Age guide · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Can Empathy Look Like at 18 Months?

At 18 months, empathy is just starting to develop, so it looks very simple and basic. Toddlers at this age often respond to the emotions of people around them, especially caregivers or familiar friends. For example, if a playmate is crying, the toddler might become upset too or try to touch or hug the other child. This is called emotional contagion—feeling what others feel but without fully understanding why. Children might also imitate others’ facial expressions, like frowning when someone else is sad. These reactions show toddlers are tuning in to feelings, which is the foundation of empathy.

Toddlers do not yet understand other people’s experiences fully, so their responses are often focused on their own feelings. They might get confused when someone else is upset and not know how to help, but they show interest in comforting in simple ways like giving a favorite toy. At this stage, empathy is more about emotional connection than thinking about others’ viewpoints.

How Does Empathy Grow from 18 Weeks to 18 Months?

Empathy starts even earlier than 18 months, sometimes as young as 18 weeks, but it looks very different. At 18 weeks (around 4 months), babies mainly show empathy through reflexes like crying when they hear another baby cry or by paying close attention to facial expressions. They are just beginning to recognize emotions but cannot respond intentionally.

Between 18 weeks and 18 months, children develop more control over their emotions and start to link feelings to causes. For example, a 12-month-old might pause when they see someone sad, while an 18-month-old may try to help. This growth happens because toddlers learn more about emotions by watching adults and through their own experiences.

What Signs Show a Child Is Ready to Learn More About Empathy?

Parents and teachers can look for these signs in toddlers to know they are ready for the next empathy steps:

• Showing concern when someone is hurt or upset, such as offering a toy or patting a sibling.
• Talking about feelings, even with simple words like “sad” or “happy.”
• Copying comforting behaviors they see adults do, like hugging or gentle touch.
• Beginning to share or take turns, even if only sometimes.

When children show these signs, caregivers can introduce more focused empathy teaching, like naming emotions aloud (“I see you’re sad”) and encouraging toddlers to think about how others might feel.

How Can Parents and Teachers Introduce Empathy at This Age?

Introducing empathy to toddlers means helping them notice and name feelings while modeling caring actions. Some practical ways to do this include:

• Label emotions: Say out loud what your child or others are feeling, “You look happy playing with blocks!” or “Your friend is crying because she fell.”
• Read emotion-filled books: Choose picture books that show characters with different feelings and talk about them.
• Model empathy: Show your own caring behaviors, like comforting the child when upset or apologizing if you hurt their feelings.
• Use pretend play: Role-playing helps toddlers practice caring behaviors and recognize emotions in fun ways.

Keep explanations simple and connected to what toddlers see and feel in daily life. Avoid expecting too much verbal expression since language skills are still growing.

What Are Common Worries Parents Have About Empathy at 18 Months?

Many parents wonder if their toddler is “too young” to understand feelings or if a lack of comforting means low empathy. It’s normal for toddlers to show empathy in small, imperfect ways. Some common worries include:

• Toddler not comforting others or seeming self-centered. This is typical at 18 months since toddlers are still learning to separate their feelings from others’.
• Concern about emotional outbursts or tantrums. These are normal as toddlers manage their own emotions and do not yet fully understand empathy.
• Worry about language delays affecting empathy expression. Empathy can be shown through actions and expressions, not just words.

Patience and gentle guidance will help toddlers develop empathy skills at their own pace.

When Should You Adjust Expectations for Your Child’s Empathy?

Every child develops at a unique pace. Some toddlers may show strong interest in others’ feelings early, while others take more time. If a child shows little response to others’ emotions by 18 months or seems extremely unaware of feelings, it may help to:

• Provide extra opportunities to practice empathy through play and reading.
• Watch for other developmental signs and discuss concerns with a pediatrician or early childhood specialist.
• Remember that some children need more time and modeling to build empathy skills.

Adjusting expectations means focusing on your child’s strengths and providing supportive environments to grow empathy naturally.

What Empathy Skills Can Children Develop After 18 Months?

After 18 months, toddlers continue to build empathy by learning to understand others’ feelings better and control their own emotions more. Between ages 2 and 3, children start to:

• Use words to describe feelings.
• Show more intentional comforting behaviors.
• Understand simple reasons why someone might feel a certain way.
• Begin to take turns and share more consistently.

Supporting these skills with activities and conversations helps children become caring, emotionally aware people. For ideas on helping older kids with empathy, see articles on empathy activities and understanding empathy by age.

How Can You Explain Empathy to a Child Around 8-12 Years Old?

Children aged 8 to 12 can understand empathy better when it’s explained in relatable ways. For example: “Empathy means trying to feel what someone else feels and caring about them. It’s like when your friend is sad because they lost a toy, and you can imagine how that feels. Then you can help by being kind or listening.” Using stories, role-plays, and empathy questions helps kids practice thinking about others’ feelings and develop stronger friendships.

Frequently asked questions

Can babies show empathy before 18 months?

Yes, babies as young as a few months old show early empathy by reacting to others’ emotions, like crying when they hear another baby cry. This is a basic form of empathy called emotional contagion, but full understanding develops later in toddlerhood.

What if my 18-month-old doesn’t seem to care when others are upset?

It’s common for toddlers to focus mostly on themselves at this age. Not showing clear empathy doesn’t mean they won’t develop it—it often takes time, modeling, and gentle guidance. If you’re concerned, talk with your child’s doctor.

How can I help my toddler build empathy skills?

Label your child’s and others’ feelings, model caring behaviors, read books about emotions, and encourage sharing and comforting in play. Simple, everyday moments teach empathy well.

Is empathy the same as kindness?

Empathy is understanding and feeling what others feel, while kindness is acting in caring ways. Empathy helps us be kind by knowing how others feel and what they might need.

When do children start understanding others’ perspectives?

Understanding others’ perspectives usually begins to grow after 2 years old and continues developing through early childhood as language and thinking skills improve.