Roots of Empathy at Harrowsmith PS

Julie Druker | Jan 20, 2016

If you asked the students at Harrowsmith Public School about baby Addie, they will be able to tell you all about her thanks to the Roots of Empathy program that has been taking place there for the last four years.

The program, which is offered not only across Canada but globally across three continents, strives to foster empathy in students by inviting a neighborhood infant into the school for nine monthly visits. Over that time, the students are encouraged to observe the baby's development and to label the baby’s feelings and intentions. In so doing they learn to better identify and understand their own feelings and the feelings of others. The idea is that the students will become less likely to hurt one another physically, emotionally or psychologically.

In the short term the program has been shown to reduce levels of aggression and bullying among primary and elementary school children while increasing their social/emotional competence and empathy. Over the long term the program's aim is to encourage responsible citizenship and responsive parenting.

I visited Harrowsmith PS last week when six-month-old baby Addie and her mother, Valerie Hopkins, were visiting Ms. Lalonde's junior/senior kindergarten class. The visit began with Valerie bringing baby Addie around to each student, who each, in turn, had a chance to greet her.

Wendy Sims, who is a trained instructor with the Roots of Empathy program and an early childhood educator in Ms. Lalonde's classroom, led the visit, which was baby Addie's fourth to the school. Her first was back in November.

The students had a chance to comment on the changes they observed in her development and when she was placed on a carpet with the students gathered around her, her mother unpacked her baby bag and along with Sims explained to the students all of the articles and how they are used to help care for Addie.

One especially unique aspect of the program is that during the visits, it is the baby who becomes the teacher in the classroom. Sims, who has been an instructor with the program for three years, said the students over time develop a very strong bond with the baby and come to realize that they were at one time as young, as small and as vulnerable. “The students develop a real love for the baby and actually start seeing her as their baby and someone that they care and look out for. It's amazing to see how excited they become when she visits the classroom and the positive effect it has.” Sims said that the program also covers numerous related topics like the responsibility that comes with parenting and caring for a child. Valerie Hopkins said that Addie loves the classroom visits as much as the students do and that the program is as enjoyable for her and Addie as it is for them.

All babies are welcome in the program and Sims pointed out that even if babies are fussy, it brings an opportunity for the students to see how Mom reacts to and cares for them. Ms. Lalonde said she sees a real difference in her students as a result of the program. “You can see how gentle the students are with baby Addie and that gentleness really transfers over into the classroom day to day. We, adults and children alike, all need empathy and this program really encourages that.”

Started in 1996 by social entrepreneur, Mary Gordon, the program’s main aim is to encourage emotional literacy in youngsters, which has been found to lay the foundation for more safe and caring classrooms where empathy can educate both the heart and mind of the students. Studies on the effectiveness of the program have found that children involved in the program show an increase in prosocial behavior, social and emotional understanding, the knowledge of parenting, and cognitive and emotional empathy, as well as showing a decrease in aggression. A long-term evaluation also showed that the program’s beneficial effects were often maintained and continued for years in participating students.

Seeing the program first hand was a real eye opener and it was truly amazing to see how one little bundle of joy can encourage empathy in youngsters. For more information about the program visit www.rootsofempathy.org