A teaching aid for assisting individuals, particularly young children, in
learning and developing empathy. The teaching aid consists of a floor mat
including a depiction of a pair of shoes. The shoes may be printed
directly on the top surface of the mat, or the mat may be
three-dimensional, with the pair of shoes slightly recessed below the
surface of the mat. An individual may then literally "stand in the shoes"
of someone else and begin to develop the skills leading to empathy. In
the classroom setting, the shoes may be depicted as a pair of children's
sneakers, with individuals taking turns standing on the mat. Other
depictions may be appropriate, particularly in a counseling situation.
