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In early December 2025, thousands of pupils aged 5-11 from schools and trusts across the UK gathered for our regular Lyfta Live Lesson, where we explored the values of compassion and empathy through the ‘Hanukkah in LA’ storyworld.
Approximately 2300 students from 90 classes began by immersing themselves in the sights and sounds of 360 degree spaces, building curiosity and connection before going on to meet Mackie and family as they celebrate Hanukkah.
As we travelled together into the family home in Los Angeles, children quickly showed how deeply they already understood these ideas. Compassion, as one child told us, is “noticing when someone needs support and choosing to be helpful. Empathy is understanding how someone is feeling - walking in their shoes.”
As the story unfolded, pupils recognised the powerful acts of kindness between the Jewish and Chinese communities in the film and the values playing out in the real world. Another participant’s reflection captured the moment: “The compassion they showed the Chinese community after Covid was amazing... it taught us how to be kind to others in difficult times.”
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“Empathy is when we try to imagine and experience what someone else is feeling.”
“The family showed empathy when the woman was told she would have to wait for two hours, she didn’t get angry with the restaurant.”
“Empathy includes kindness, respect and being caring.”
“They showed compassion and empathy for the owners of the Chinese restaurant because no one wanted to eat there since Covid.”
“Empathy - they went to support their favourite Chinese restaurant after the pandemic because they were targets, the family loved the food from Yang Chow.”
“We discussed why they went for Chinese food and the fact that they are supporting Chinese people due to the pandemic. Both communities could relate to one another and showed empathy and compassion. We wonder what a latke tastes like?”
“Compassion is being kind and showing kindness.”
“We think it would be extremely hot working near the hobs. We would also feel stressed as it is very busy. It would be quite overstimulating as there's a lot of noise. They could show compassion by donating food to the homeless.”
“Compassion: supporting the Chinese restaurant during/after Covid. Giving gifts to each other.”
“They show compassion by supporting the Chinese restaurant through their struggle when other people refused to go and took their anger out on them.”
“It is dangerous and there is fire [in the restaurant kitchen]. It's important to show compassion, empathy and kindness as it's very busy.”
“You have to be compassionate in sports because getting angry isn't fun for anyone.”
We ended by thinking about why stories matter, and how meeting real people through Lyfta helps us grow in empathy. A child summed it up beautifully: “Stories like this help us remember to live with each other in peace and harmony.”
A simple reminder that when children encounter and connect with real human stories, values (which can sometimes seem abstract or complex) come alive. This is our human connection methodology in action.
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