As part of the “Parents at Work” school project, which provides an opportunity for parents and experts from various fields to actively participate in the education and development of students, the third-grade students of Primary School Savremena had the honor of hosting Bojana Arsenović, a psychotherapist with extensive experience working with children. The topic of the workshop was extremely important – emotions and empathy, two key components of emotional development that play a major role in creating healthy interpersonal relationships.

The workshop began with an interactive discussion about emotions and how children experience them in everyday situations. Bojana Arsenović explained different types of emotions, including happiness, sadness, anger, fear, confusion, and pride. Through simple examples and conversation, students learned how to recognize these emotions, how they manifest in the body and behavior, and what physical and psychological reactions accompany specific emotions.

A particular focus of the workshop was on empathy – the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Bojana explained that empathy is not just about recognizing the feelings of others, but also actively responding in accordance with those feelings, either through words or actions. Through group activities, the students had the opportunity to ask questions, reflect on situations where they showed empathy, and discuss how they could be more attentive and compassionate towards their friends, teachers, and family members.

Through practical tasks and games, the children also learned techniques on how to constructively cope with negative emotions, such as anger or fear. Bojana provided several useful tools to reduce stress and discomfort, including breathing techniques and methods to stop negative thought patterns. They were also taught how to recognize moments when it’s important to ask for help from adults or friends, which strengthens their sense of security and ability to cope with challenges.

Throughout the workshop, the students showed exceptional engagement and a strong desire to learn. They eagerly shared their experiences and challenges in recognizing and expressing emotions, with many deciding to open up about topics they hadn’t shared before. The open and friendly atmosphere created by Bojana allowed the children to feel safe and free, resulting in honest and meaningful conversations.