Calling all babies! ‘Tiny Teachers’ wanted for Surrey’s Roots of Empathy program

The Roots of Empathy program teaches elementary students care, compassion and empathy by student interaction with babies over the course of the school year. (Photo by Roots of Empathy)

Parents of newborns! Could your baby be a “Tiny Teacher” to elementary students?

Surrey Schools is in search of babies who will be between 2-4 months in October to participate in the district’s Roots of Empathy program, which teaches elementary age children traits of care, kindness, inclusivity and helpfulness.

Throughout the school year, parents and their babies will visit a classroom once a month (nine times total) with the Roots of Empathy instructor and classroom teacher. Students observe and interact with babies on a blanket, learning about their own and each other’s emotions by learning about babies’ emotions as they grow and develop.

Run by the Community-Schools Partnership department, Roots of Empathy’s mission is to build caring, peaceful and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. The program has been shown to raise social and emotional competence and increase empathy while reducing levels of aggression and bullying among students. Students will also celebrate baby milestones, such as rolling over, clapping, verbalizing, sitting and more!

If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in the Roots of Empathy program, please email Jordynn Punter, Community-Schools Partnership facilitator, at punter_j@surreyschools.ca

For more information, click here