Roots of Empathy

Barnardos is the lead agency for the delivery of the Roots of Empathy Programme in New Zealand.

Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom programme that reduces levels of aggression among school children while raising social and emotional competence and increasing empathy. It does this through the presence of a baby (between 2-4 months) and parent from the local community in the classroom – the children observe the parent-child relationship, and grow to understand the baby’s intentions and emotions. Through this, they can identify and reflect on their own feelings and the feelings of others.

Roots of Empathy was introduced to New Zealand in 2007 and now has a presence in schools in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington and Christchurch. In 2010 Barnardos became the lead agency in delivering the programme to over 70 schools in New Zealand.

The program was founded in Canada in 1996 by Mary Gordon, an internationally recognised educator, social entrepreneur, and child advocate, and today has reached more than 270,000 children in 11,000 classrooms worldwide. Roots of Empathy also has a sibling program, Seeds of Empathy, designed for early childhood settings.

If you are interested in becoming a Roots of Empathy Instructor or you know someone would be interested, please contact Michelle Block for more information on how you can become a part of this wonderful programme. Otherwise, if you know of a family having a baby soon who may be interested in the programme, please let us know too!

For more information, visit www.rootsofempathy.org
 

Further links:

• Specialist Family Group Homes
• Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR)
• Social Workers in Schools (SWIS)
• Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY)
• Hubs