Babies are to be employed as 'tiny teachers' in classrooms
throughoutScotlandas part of a pioneering Action for Children
programme to reduce levels of bullying and aggression in
schools.
Roots of Empathy- 'empathy' being the ability to identify and
understand another's feelings - encourages children to interact in
a nurturing manner by bringing a real baby and its parent into the
classroom over the course of a school year. Observing the
attentive, loving interaction between the parent and child teaches
pupils to better understand their own feelings and the feelings of
others.
The primary focus of the programme is to reduce problem
behaviour, including fighting and bullying.Louise Warde-Hunter,
strategic director of children's services at Action for Children,
explains how it works:
"Roots of Empathy teaches school children to understand their
own feelings and the feelings of others by using a baby as the
'tiny teacher'. This raises levels of empathy amongst classmates,
resulting in more respectful relationships and a dramatic reduction
in levels of aggression among school children.
"We are proud to introduce Roots of Empathy inScotlandand would
like to thank our partners in Scottish Government for their
support. Action for Children has a proven track record for
developing innovative approaches which help to significantly
improve outcomes for vulnerable children, families and young
people. At Action for Children, we are committed to promoting the
benefits of early intervention and Roots of Empathy is an excellent
example of this. By increasing levels of 'emotional literacy' in
children at a young age we can lay the foundation for safe and
caring classrooms and, in the long-term, safe and caring
societies."
Roots of Empathy is endorsed by the Dali Lama. Independent
evaluations of the programme carried out in Canada- where it
originated and has been active for the longest period of time -
revealed a significant increase in peer acceptance[1] in 74% of children and a decrease in social
aggression in 39% of children[2].
Action for Children is introducing the programme to primary
schools in 15 local authorities acrossScotlandfollowing investment
from the Early Years Early Action Fund, delivered by
InspiringScotlandin partnership with the Scottish Government.
Angela Constance MSP, the Minister for Children and Young People,
said:
"This contribution from the Early Years Early Action Fund will
enable Action for Children to expand its programmeRoots of
Empathyto 15 local authorities and in doing so, help children
build their understanding of how others feel.
"In taking an early intervention approach to reducing aggression
and bullying in schools and increasing positive behaviour, the
initiative fits well with the Scottish Government's overall vision
for the early years."
Andrew Muirhead, chief executive of InspiringScotland, said:
"It is abundantly clear the support a child receives in their
earliest years becomes a huge factor in their later life. We
are delighted to support Action for Children, through the Early
Years Early Action Fund, to roll out this programme which will help
young children acrossScotlandto get the best start in life and
enable them to go on to achieve their
potential."
Over 150 baby volunteers have been recruited to take part in the
programme. With their parents, the 'tiny teachers' will take
part in nine visits to primary three classes over the course of the
next year. The sessions will be led by Action for Children staff,
trained in the methods of Roots of Empathy.
Roots of Empathy was developed by internationally-recognised
social entrepreneur, educator, author, child advocate and parenting
expert, Mary Gordon, in 1996.[3]
Over 450,000 children have taken part in the programme worldwide,
includingCanada, theUSA,New Zealand, the Isle of Man,Northern
Ireland and theRepublic ofIreland. The programme was piloted in
North Lanarkshire last year by Action for Children - the first time
it was delivered anywhere inBritain. Mary Gordon said:
"Changing the world, child by child, may be an ambitious mission
but here inScotlandRoots of Empathy has benefited from a wide
community of support and expertise. We are thrilled to be working
with Action for Children as our lead agency and so pleased with
what we achieved together through last year's pilot project. The
Scottish Government's ongoing support is a huge vote of confidence
in our ability to extend that success across the country as we
expand into more classrooms."
At the Scottish launch of Roots of Empathy tonight [2 November],
Mary will speak alongside Angela Constance MSP, as well as Margaret
Mitchell MSP, who last year lodged a Parliamentary motion welcoming
the launch of Roots of Empathy inScotland. Representatives from
Action for Children and North Lanarkshire Council will give
perspectives on the success of the pilot and how Roots of Empathy
will benefit Scottish schools. Jane Liddell, head of education
quality and support at North Lanarkshire Council, said:
"The programme has been successful far beyond our expectations.
It has been warmly endorsed by our schools as energising the
delivery of Curriculum for Excellence, particularly within Health
and Wellbeing, and enriching our own flagship policy, 'Raising
Achievement for All'.
"The growing relationship between the baby and the class has
motivated our children to engage enthusiastically with the
learning, and has supported them to express their own emotions and
grow in empathy, helping them to understand the effect of their own
behaviour on others. We are delighted to be able to extend this
opportunity across North Lanarkshire Schools."