We participate in a program called Roots of Empathy https://rootsofempathy.org/. This award-winning program supports children’s positive mental health and well-being.
Mr Kearney is our Roots of Empathy Instructor who will introduce a class to a baby from our community who will act as a “Tiny Teacher”. The class will get to know the baby through nine monthly visits to their classroom. Over the course of the school year, we will watch the baby grow. The children predict and cheer when their Roots of Empathy baby reaches the ‘developmental milestones’ of the first year: “She can roll over!” “He got his first tooth!” “She can clap hands!” “He can sit up!” “She can wave!” “He can crawl!!”
The children are coached in observing and reading the emotional cues of the baby. Discussions act as a lever for the children to talk about their own emotions and to understand how their classmates feel. Roots of Empathy is founded on the loving relationship between a parent and baby, which is where empathy starts.
Since Roots of Empathy was founded in 1996, over 1,200,000 children have been learning to respect and care for one another with the lessons started through their Roots of Empathy baby. Roots of Empathy is a tried, tested and proven effective program that increases children’s kindness, caring, including, sharing and helping behaviours as they develop empathy. Research from three continents shows that as empathy develops, aggression and bullying behaviours are reduced.
This year the participating class is Primary 3/4/5.
#LoveGrowsBrains
