Classrooms throughout the Rainbow District School Board are inviting babies and their parents to participate in the Roots of Empathy program.
Grade 4 student, Marissa Lindon plays with 10-month-old Sasha Gilchrist during the Roots of Empathy celebration held at R.L. Beattie Public School June 8. Photo by Heather Green-Oliver.
Throughout the school year students watch the baby grow and learn empathetic responses to the baby's temperament.
"The program is proven to reduce levels of aggression, bullying and violence amongst the students." Tyler Campbell, Executive Director of Our Children, Our Future, said.
With a trained Roots of Empathy instructor, the baby and his or her parent visits the classroom once a month during the school year.
As the students observe the interaction between parent and baby, they learn about safety, caring, crying and communication.
"Every time you play with them you see a different ability they're able to do." Marissa Lindon, a Grade 4 R.L. Beattie Public School student, said. "We learn all about empathy which is the ability to understand how another person feels."
Parents expecting a baby in the next few months are invited to get involved in Roots of Empathy this fall. It’s important that babies be no more than three months when family visits begin in September.
For more information, contact Roots of Empathy co-ordinator Charlotte Miller at Our Children, Our Future at 677-0440 ext. 228.
