We play the “Empathy Builders” game created by Jackson Westenskow with sixth graders as an introduction to the two year capstone leadership project called weLEAD. It is a unique and engaging cooperative game designed to foster teamwork and empathy among students without relying on verbal communication. The participants work together to construct an 18-block tower using six different colored blocks, each governed by specific conditions for placement in the playing field. With the power of non-verbal communication, students must rely on understanding their teammates’ intentions to silently build or take away blocks without explaining their moves.

As the players switch cards, they begin to understand why some of the actions were taken. This challenging exercise not only enhances problem-solving skills, but also deepens the participants’ capacity for empathy. By encouraging students to tune into their teammates’ body language, facial expressions, or gestures, they begin to make progress and achieve success. They understand that a player’s decision was not done with malice, but instead, for the good of the team. It reinforces the perspective of their peers, and brings to light how misunderstandings without context cause many of the challenges we face as citizens of a global community.

Through this hands-on experience, students learn the value of effective collaboration and the significance of empathy as they navigate the colorful blocks, all while building a towering example of unity and understanding. The “Empathy Builders” game let these 6th graders develop trust in a playful, low stakes environment.