Roots of Empathy

Roots of Empathy (ROE) is a classroom program that has shown dramatic effects in reducing levels of aggression and violence among school children, and increasing empathy.

Roots of Empathy aims to strengthen young children’s capacity for caring and compassion while reducing bullying and aggression. The program is available in schools to children from Kindergarten to Grade 8. There are currently more than 500 programs in BC reaching more than 12,500 children.

The program involves a Rootsof Empathy instructor who, along with a neighbourhood parent and their infant, visits the classroom over a period of time. With the help of the instructor, students are coached to observe infant development, celebrate milestones, interact with the baby and learn about an infant's needs and unique temperament. The Roots of Empathy instructor also works with the class the week before and the week after each family visit to prepare and reinforce teachings. The instructor typically visits the classroom 27 times over the school year.

To find a Roots of Empathy program in your area or to volunteer as a Roots of Empathy family, visit www.rootsofempathy.org

In 2006/2007, Roots of Empathy plans to expand into Aboriginal classrooms, both on and off reserve, and in both urban and rural locations. ROE will also form an Aboriginal Advisory Working Group who will provide program advice on implementing Roots of Empathy in Aboriginal communities.

Seeds of Empathy (SOE)

Seeds of Empathy is a program for children aged 3 – 5 years that is delivered in child care centres or pre-school settings. The goals of this program are:

• To foster the development of empathy in children aged 3 - 5 years;
• To support the acquisition of early literacy/numeracy skills and attitudes in children aged 3 - 5 years;
• To prevent aggression in children aged 3 - 5 years; and
• To support and train Early Childhood Education teachers in creating and maintaining empathic, inclusive, learning communities.

Currently, Seeds of Empathy is implemented in four Aboriginal Head Start sites, (Agassiz – Sea Bird Island, Port Hardy - Kwakiutl, Mission – Future 4 Nations and Kitwanga – Gitwangax Band), and five child-care/pre-school sites, (Nanaimo, Prince George, Port Hardy, Vancouver and North Kamloops).

In summer 2005, the Minister of State for Child Care in British Columbia provided Roots of Empathy with funding to pilot Seeds of Empathy (SOE) in 10 communities throughout BC during the 2005-2006 school year.