Bullying remains a persistent issue in schools and communities, but growing research shows that compassion—when intentionally taught and practiced—can significantly reduce harmful behaviors. This idea was a key focus of a recent panel hosted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, inspired by the themes of Wonder, a story about a child with a facial difference finding belonging. Experts from psychology, public health, and the arts discussed how compassion develops, why it matters, and how families, schools, and communities can cultivate it to create safer, more inclusive environments.

Jason Fogler, PhD, a psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said compassion is a learned skill, not an innate trait. He explained that children naturally notice differences and need guidance to shift from curiosity to empathy. Teaching kids to “see the person, not the difference” helps reduce stigma and encourages a deeper understanding of others. When children learn to recognize shared experiences—such as fear, excitement, loneliness, and joy—they become less likely to exclude or judge others.

Small daily actions, or what panelists called “micro-compassions,” can greatly influence school culture. Simple gestures, like inviting a classmate to join an activity or offering a kind word, make kindness visible and contagious. Fogler said that when acts of compassion become normal, bullying behaviors decrease. Adults play a crucial role in this process, as children imitate the emotional tone and interpersonal habits they see. Showing patience, gentle communication, and calm conflict resolution teaches more than any lecture.

Ari Ne’eman, a public-health scholar and disability advocate, discussed how children who appear “different” due to disability, medical conditions, or social challenges are at a higher risk of bullying. He stressed the importance of structured inclusion, such as peer-mentor programs or buddy systems, which help decrease isolation and build meaningful relationships. When schools create systems where every child is intentionally connected to others, exclusion becomes less effective.

Another key theme was shifting the narrative around bullying from punishment to understanding. Panelists encouraged adults to stop labeling children as “bullies” and instead explore the emotions driving harmful actions. Many children who inflict harm feel insecure, scared, or disconnected. Compassionate intervention—asking “What were you feeling when this happened?”—supports accountability without shame and helps children learn healthier ways to relate.

Playwright Sarah Ruhl emphasized the importance of storytelling in building empathy. Books, movies, and theater help children see the world through someone else’s eyes in ways that lectures cannot. Stories like Wonder open emotional doors, encouraging reflection and conversations about kindness, courage, and inclusion.

Finally, moderator Howard Koh, MD, MPH, emphasized that compassion is not just an abstract ideal; it is a public health strategy. Communities where differences are celebrated—and not just tolerated—experience less bullying, stronger relationships, and better mental health. Teaching children to speak up, reach out, and notice when someone is excluded can change individual lives and transform entire school cultures.

As the panel concluded, one message was clear: Compassion can be taught, nurtured, and strengthened. And when we do that, we give children—and all of us—a safer, kinder world.