Moray pupils say a big ‘thank you’ to tiny teachers

Primary three pupils from across Moray gathered at Elgin City Football Club to say a big 'thank you' to the area's tiniest teachers at a Baby Celebration held by Action for Children Scotland and Moray Council today [Tues, 19 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 New Elgin, Millbank and Pilmuir primary schools by leading charity, Action for Children Scotland.

Pupils from Moray thanked babies Ailbhe, Meaghan, Dylan and twins Broadie and Charlie, by writing wishes for the babies' 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 Moray Council and Action for Children Scotland, the perfect opportunity to thank Ailbhe, Meaghan, Dylan, Broadie and Charlie for all 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."

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.

Councillor Anne Skene, chairman of Moray Council's children and young people's services committee, said: "The Roots of Empathy programme, which has run in three Moray schools over the last session, has been a significant intervention. The Health and Well-being strand of the Curriculum for Excellence puts relationships at the heart of what happens in schools so this intervention is timely. We know that empathy is vitally important if we are to form positive relationships with others.  To have a little teacher come into the class has been a very exciting way to develop these skills.  I know that the children who have taken part in the programme have enjoyed the sessions with their babies."

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.