Desenvolvimento empático e percepção de cuidadores

The first emotional relationship in humans occurs between the baby and their primary caregiver, being strengthened and expanded with other family members. This initial interaction is crucial for the development of empathy, a social skill deeply rooted in emotional bonds and the ability to recognize, understand, and connect with others' emotions. An inclusive and affectionate family environment, with authoritative caregivers, tends to foster empathy development, while authoritarian or overly permissive parenting styles may hinder it. This study aimed to investigate the development of empathy in childhood and caregivers' perception of their children's empathy. The research was conducted in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, with a sample of 306 participants, comprising 153 children aged 5 to 10 years, divided into two age groups (5–7 years and 8–10 years), of both sexes, attending public and private schools, along with their caregivers. The results indicated that the child's sex does not influence empathy levels in either age group. However, age was a relevant factor, with empathy decreasing as children grew older. Additionally, caregivers demonstrated difficulty in accurately assessing their children's empathy, suggesting a limitation in understanding their socio-emotional skills. Finally, an exploratory analysis revealed no significant differences in empathy between children attending public and private schools. Keywords: Emotions; Development; Family base; Empathic skills.