Supporting Caring Learning Environments and Communities

Roots of Empathy Babies and Parents Acknowledged at Ceremony

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, on behalf of the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, joined more than 30 babies and their parents today to take part in a ceremony to acknowledge their valuable contributions as participants in the English School District’s Roots of Empathy program (Eastern Region).

“The Provincial Government is proud to support Roots of Empathy again this year through a total investment of $114,000 to deliver programs in 72 schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The program focuses on building empathy by engaging children in positive social interaction with a baby. Studies show that children who are part of the program develop increased social and emotional skills, increased empathy and lower levels of aggression. That helps support safe and caring learning environments and, ultimately, safe and caring communities.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education

The Roots of Empathy program is supported by both the Departments of Education and Health and Community Services. As part of the program, an infant and parent visit a classroom to engage students in discussing their feelings and experiences as they get to know the baby over the course of the school year. An instructor guides the children as they observe the relationship between baby and parent, and learn to understand the baby’s intentions and emotions. Through multiple classroom visits, students see how the baby grows and develops over time. In this model, the baby is the teacher, helping children identify and reflect on their own feelings, and the feelings of others.

“Roots of Empathy focuses on developing and instilling in children the core building blocks of kindness, compassion and inclusion. Learning these traits at a young age helps build resilience in our children, enabling them to deal effectively with life’s challenges and grow into caring, responsible adults. Supporting this program is an investment in the mental health of children, families and communities. I thank all the families who have participated in this program. The experiences that they are sharing with our schoolchildren will have long-term positive effects.”
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Health and Community Services

Almost 100 infants and their families participated in the program province-wide this year. Roots of Empathy delivered 95 programs in 72 schools located in 50 communities throughout the Newfoundland and Labrador. By the end of this school year, the programming will have reached more than 16,000 students.

“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has made a strategic investment in bringing the Roots of Empathy program to classrooms across the province. The thousands of elementary school children who have participated in the year-long Roots of Empathy program are shown to be more caring, more collaborative, and kinder than their peers who have not had the program. In studies from three continents this program has demonstrated a significant reduction in aggression and bullying leading to higher states of mental well-being.”
- Mary Gordon, Founder and President of Roots of Empathy

For more information about Roots of Empathy, visit: www.rootsofempathy.org/.

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, on behalf of the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, joined more than 30 babies and their parents today to take part in a ceremony to acknowledge their valuable contributions as participants in the Roots of Empathy program.
• The school-based program focuses on building empathy by engaging children in positive social interaction with a baby. The program complements efforts made by schools to implement Safe and Caring Schools initiatives.
• The Provincial Government supported the program this year with a total investment of $114,000 provided through the Departments of Education and Health and Community Services.

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2014 05 27                                                                                       4:00 p.m.