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Roots of Empathy Program

Overview

Roots of Empathy (ROE) is an innovative school-based parenting program that aims to reduce aggression through the fostering of empathy. Beginning in Toronto, this Program has been bringing the wisdom of parents and babies into classrooms since 1996. In Hamilton, the ROE story began in 2003 when local interest in Mary Gordon and her Program inspired organizers of the Family, Work, Community Conference to invite Mary to speak at the event in Hamilton in October. Following the event, several community partners came together to form a local Advisory Committee that developed plans to introduce ROE in Hamilton schools. Dr. Jean Clinton, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience at McMaster University, became the "Community Champion" for the ROE Program locally.

Since 2004, elementary schools in Hamilton have welcomed the Roots of Empathy Program with a view to reducing aggression and building understanding in their classrooms. Over 7500 students have been impacted by the Program during this time. ROE is currently being offered in 75 classrooms in Hamilton across all four school boards in English and French.

At the heart of each program is a family; a neighbourhood parent and infant who visit the classroom once a month throughout the school year. A certified ROE Instructor coaches students to observe the baby’s development and label the baby’s feelings. The emotional literacy taught in the program lays the foundation for safer and more caring classrooms. Children become more competent in their understanding of their own feelings and the feelings of others.

Students develop an understanding of the infant/parent relationship and how the quality of this relationship relates to the intellectual, social, emotional and moral development of the child. Children learn the language of their own feelings in order to understand and respect the feelings of others. The ability to see and feel things as other people see and feel them is central to competent parenting and successful social relationships in all stages of life. As children are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions, social responsibility rises and incidents of bullying decline.

The ROE Program teaches children to challenge cruelty and injustice, while teaching consensus-building and social inclusion. These pro-social messages contribute to a culture of caring that translates directly into the school community. Teachers participating in the ROE Program in Hamilton have noted a significant reduction in aggression in the classroom. Students report a greater understanding of how their words and actions impact others.

The ROE Family

Are you a proud parent with a new baby? Will your baby be 2 - 4 months old in October? You and your baby could be a Roots of Empathy family.

Our Program celebrates the power of the family in the development of the baby as a person. We will ask you to share with the students how it feels to be a parent and to talk about how your baby is growing and learning. Students will have lots of questions about your baby and about what it takes to be a parent.

The family, a mother and/or father, visit a classroom in a local school with a Roots of Empathy Instructor. There are 9 family visits during the school year; once a month from October until June and each is about 30 minutes long. The Program helps children to learn about a baby’s needs and how babies develop and allows children to observe the loving relationship between a parent and baby.

At the start of the year, the Instructor will come to your home to talk about how the Program will run and answer any questions you may have. The Instructor will call before each of the 9 classroom visits to talk about the theme for the visit. The Instructor will tell you about questions the students asked since the last family visit. Your baby will be loved by every student and be a star in the school and your family will be helping to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies.

The ROE Instructor

The Roots Instructor coaches the children to observe the baby’s development, celebrate milestones, interact with the baby and learn about an infant’s needs. The Instructor also visits the classroom before and after each baby visit to prepare and reinforce teachings, using a specialized curriculum that is developmentally-appropriate for each of four age ranges: kindergarten (JK/SK), primary (1-3), junior (4-6) and intermediate (7-8).

As an Instructor, you commit to 4 days of mandatory training, three – 40-minute classroom visits per month from October to June (27 lessons), preparation of lesson materials, travel time and must be comfortable presenting to children in a classroom setting.

There is no cost to the Volunteer Instructor for the training as these funds are raised by the local host organization in collaboration with community partners. Due to this significant investment, we ask Instructors to make a three-year commitment to the Program. Instructors can be volunteers or, with the approval of their employer, can give their time in-kind to the Program.

How can you help?

By introducing the ROE Program to more elementary school children, we will create a caring community of compassionate individuals who will be role models for future generations decreasing the incidences of violence, aggression and bullying behaviours on school playgrounds, in local parks, community centres and neighbourhoods. Through the continual expansion of the ROE Program, there is the potential for long-term and far-reaching impact that can reduce the cost to society at large for social and rehabilitative services and programs. The ROE Program has a direct and positive impact on the participating children, adults and overall school culture.

In fact, research indicates that 50% of academic success is based on traditional intelligence; the rest relies on social and emotional literacy (Liff 2003). Giving credence to findings that show "a deliberate and comprehensive approach to teaching children social and emotional skills can: raise their grades and test scores, bolster their enthusiasm for learning, reduce behaviour problems and enhance the brain's cognitive functions". (Education Week 2003) As such, Roots of Empathy contributes to children's retention in school. The positive personal growth experienced by the children sets them on a trajectory that provides them with knowledge and skills to become effective parents, productive workers, and contributing members of society.

The Advisory Committee is developing a donor base of area businesses and individuals who are interested in supporting Roots of Empathy locally. Hamilton launched a sponsorship campaign and welcome new businesses who would like to contribute. There are a number of ways to become involved, including one-time donations, annual sponsorship of a classroom or classrooms, or employee volunteerism.

Our Advisory Committee

Our Community Partners

Our Funders

 

For more information contact:

Tracey Webster, Program Coordinator
Affiliated Services for Children and Youth
Phone: 905.547.5136
E-mail: tracey.webster@wesleyurbanministries.ca