North Ayrshire pupils say a big ‘thank you’ to tiny teachers

Primary three pupils from across North Ayrshire gathered at Dalry 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 North Ayrshire 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 Moorpark and Dalry primary schools by leading charity, Action for Children Scotland.

Pupils from North Ayrshire thanked babies Mylo, Angus and Alexander 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 North Ayrshire Council and Action for Children Scotland, the perfect opportunity to thank Mylo, Angus and Alexander 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.

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

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.