Roots of Empathy

Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based, award-winning classroom program for students in Grades K-7 that has shown significant effect on elementary school children in reducing levels of aggression, including bullying, while raising social and emotional competence and increasing empathy. 

The program is centred around a parent/guardian and baby's loving relationship, with a Roots of Empathy instructor guiding a discussion with children, encouraging them to read a baby's emotional cues and take the baby's perspective.  

Instructors are either existing school district employees or community volunteers and visit one classroom 27 times in a school year (nine with the baby and family) to teach nine different themes all centered around the core learning goals of the program.