Roots of Empathy

Roots of Empathy is a programme originally developed in Canada and first trialled there in 1996.   It is a classroom-based programme aimed at fostering empathy and reducing levels of bullying, aggression and violence amongst schoolchildren. It involves parents bringing babies into the classroom nine times over the course of a school year.  The programme allows students to observe the baby’s development, celebrate milestones, and interact with the baby. Students also learn about the infant’s needs and unique temperament. A Roots of Empathy instructor uses the supporting curriculum to work with the class the week before and the week after each family visit to prepare and reinforce pro-social behaviours.

At the beginning of 2007 it was first introduced into 10 schools in Auckland.  In 2008, it expanded to Wellington with a total of 30 schools in the two cities.  In 2009, the program took place in 60 schools in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has been a strong supporter of Roots of Empathy. “Early interventions such as this one are key to improving children’s health and education, they reduce the likelihood of adult offending or long-term unemployment, and they help reduce family abuse or neglect,” she said of the program.

Roots of Empathy has now partnered with Barnardos New Zealand and  is now providing a fourth year of programming to children in New Zealand.  To read more follow this link to information on the Barnardos website.

The Roots of Empathy organization was excited to  receive unprecedented international media coverage recently.  TIME magazine published an article on Roots of Empathy on page 45 of the May 24 edition of TIME and it is also available online.