What strategy does a childcare worker use when asking a child how they would feel if someone pulled their hair?

The correct answer is that the strategy fosters empathy. When a childcare worker asks a child how they would feel if someone else experienced a specific action, such as having their hair pulled, it helps the child to put themselves in another person's shoes. This practice allows children to recognize and understand the feelings of others, facilitating the development of emotional intelligence.

By considering how others might feel, children learn to relate to their peers and develop a sense of compassion, which is crucial for forming positive relationships and navigating social interactions. This technique is not simply about understanding one's feelings but also about cultivating a broader awareness of how behaviors affect those around them, thereby nurturing empathy.

The other strategies mentioned, while important in different contexts, do not directly apply here. Encouraging assertiveness focuses more on self-expression and standing up for oneself, promoting independence centers on allowing children to make their own choices and learn through their experiences, and teaching compliance emphasizes following rules or directives without promoting understanding of others' perspectives. In this scenario, the primary goal is to enhance the child's ability to empathize with others.