Pri Values Compassion & Empathy 2: Ilonka & Erzsébet

Teacher notes

This is the second lesson in the Year of Values series, compassion and empathy unit. Revisit Ilonka and Erzsébet, two elderly sisters in Hungary who find joy, strength and purpose in tradition. Through singing and baking strudel (a skill passed down from their mother) their story offers a powerful lens on ageing, sisterhood, and how acts of care within families and communities can be deeply compassionate. Their lives reflect how empathy is shown in the everyday: in listening, sharing, and keeping connection alive across generations. Guidance: This session can be delivered from the front of the class or on student devices (if available). The lesson invites students to reflect, share, and journal on the value of respect, not as a fixed definition, but as a living, evolving part of how they show up for others. No prior Lyfta experience is necessary. For new users, see the 20-min ‘Rob in Cornwall’ introduction lesson or 45-min ‘How to Use Lyfta’ overview (links below*). Like ALL Lyfta storyworlds, these characters are unique. We don't share stories as being 'typical' or as 'single stories' of people or places. Suggested introduction for each session in Year of Values: Each week, we explore a real human story from a different part of the world, helping us connect more deeply with the values that guide how we live and relate to others. In this unit, we’re focusing on compassion and empathy - not as abstract words, but as feelings and actions that shape our relationships and communities. Rather than defining them once and for all, we’ll explore how they show up in real people’s lives. Together, we’ll practise noticing what others are feeling, imagining how we might respond with care, and reflecting on what kind of difference small acts of understanding can make. Through conversation and curiosity, we’ll grow our capacity to listen, connect, and care. Themes: Intergenerational care, tradition, family connection, everyday compassion **National Curriculum Links** PSHE / RSHE (Statutory 2020) H21. About what can affect feelings in different situations. H25. About personal identity; what contributes to who we are (e.g., ethnicity, family, faith, culture, hobbies). R6. About the importance of friends and family for emotional wellbeing. R8. To recognise shared characteristics of healthy family life (e.g., commitment, care, spending time together). R9. To recognise that families are important for children growing up because they can give love, security and stability. L10. About what it means to be part of a community and how people support one another. Citizenship (KS2) - To reflect on spiritual, moral, social, and cultural issues, using imagination to understand other people's experiences. - To understand the contribution of diverse communities and families to society. - To recognise how shared traditions and stories help build belonging and identity. English (KS2) - To identify main ideas drawn from more than one paragraph and summarise these. - To use discussion in order to learn; to elaborate and explain ideas clearly. - To participate in collaborative conversations, staying on topic and taking turns.