Aberdeen pupils say a big ‘thank you’ to tiny teachers (1)

Primary three pupils from across Aberdeen gathered in the Community Wing at Manor Park Primary School to say a big 'thank you' to the area's tiniest teachers at a Baby Celebration held by Action for Children Scotland and Aberdeen City Council today [Thursday, 21 June 2012].

The event marked the end of the school year forRoots of Empathy, an innovative programme that encourages children to interact in a nurturing manner by bringing a baby - known as a 'tiny teacher' - and parent into the classroom. The programme was introduced to seven primary schools across Aberdeen by leading charity, Action for Children Scotland.

Pupils from Aberdeen thanked babies Josie, Stuart, Oliver, Lyndon-Jac, Shaun, Callum, Charlie, Kaiden and Harrison by writing wishes for their futures and hanging them on a special wish tree at the Baby Celebration.

Paul Carberry, operational director of children's services at Action for Children Scotland, said: "Classroom visits by the baby and parent are at the heart ofRoots of Empathy, helping schoolchildren to better understand their own feelings and the feelings of others. Today's celebration gives pupils and teachers, as well as staff from Aberdeen City Council and Action for Children Scotland, the perfect opportunity to thank all of the tiny teachers for their hard work over the school year.

"Action for Children Scotland introducedRoots of Empathy­to 99 schools across the country this year and we simply could not have done it without our tiny teachers - and their parents! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the babies, mums and dads involved for making the first year ofRoots of Empathysuch a huge success."

Ruth McGoldrick, mother of Callum, added: "Callum and I have loved being part of Roots of Empathy and meeting pupils from Heathryburn Primary School. They are all so fond of Callum; it is wonderful to see how much they have enjoyed the programme and their wishes for his future. It has been a very rewarding experience that I would strongly recommend to any new mums!"

As part of theRoots of Empathycurriculum, a baby and parent visit the class nine times throughout the school year. A trainedRoots of Empathyinstructor guides pupils in labeling the baby's emotions, raising levels of empathy amongst classmates and resulting in a dramatic reduction in levels of aggression among school children. 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 in 74% of children and a decrease in social aggression in 39% of children.

Roots of Empathy is delivered in Heathryburn, Holy Family, Muirfield, Westpark, Manor Park, Bramble Brae, and Quarryhill primary schools in Aberdeen.

Convener of Education, Culture and Sport Councillor Jenny Laing said: "The Roots of Empathy programme has been a huge success at seven primary schools across the city. The project's innovative nature has been warmly welcomed by both staff and pupils, with interaction with babies in the classroom helping young children learn the core values of kindness, trust, empathy and respect.

"I would like to thank everyone who has taken part, not least the tiny teachers and their parents, without them Roots for Empathy would simply not be possible."

Roots of Empathy was developed by internationally-recognised social entrepreneur, educator, author, child advocate and parenting expert, Mary Gordon, in 1996.  Over 450,000 children have taken part in the programme worldwide. The programme was piloted in North Lanarkshire by Action for Children Scotland in 2010 - the first time it was delivered anywhere in Britain. In 2011, Action for Children Scotland rolled outRoots of Empathyin 16 local authorities across Scotland.