Year-long experiential learning program that brings an
infant and parent into K-8 classrooms to teach social/emotional
competence
 Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression among K-8 schoolchildren by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy.
At the heart of the program are a neighborhood infant and parent who visit the classroom every three weeks over the school year. A trained ROE Instructor coaches students to observe the baby's development and to label the baby's feelings. In this experiential learning, the baby is the "Teacher", which the instructor uses to help children identify and reflect on their own feelings and the feelings of others. The ROE Instructor also visits before and after each family visit to
prepare and reinforce teachings using a specialized lesson plan for each
visit. Research results from national and international evaluations of
ROE indicate significant reductions in aggression and increases in
pro-social behavior.
Join us November 29th for a free Town Hall presentation with Mary Gordon, founder of ROE: "The Role of Social and Emotional Learning in Today's Classrooms"
Goals
- Foster the development of empathy
- Develop emotional literacy in schoolchildren
- Reduce levels of bullying, aggression and violence, and promote children's pro-social behaviors
- Increase knowledge of human development, learning, and infant safety
- Prepare students for responsible citizenship and responsive parenting
Curriculum
The ROE curriculum is comprehensive and attuned to the development
and interests of the children. It addresses the affective side of education, but the
activities have many links to the classroom curriculum.
- Students use math skills when they calculate and chart the baby's weight
and measurement.
- Literature is used as a way to open the door to
feelings and perspective taking. The discussion and reflection that
follows builds solidarity and empathy.
- Art plays a large role as
children paint their inner feelings which they cannot say with words. Music stirs powerful feelings. It speaks to everyone regardless of
language or culture and builds solidarity.
Roots of Empathy Classrooms
Auburn School District
- Washington Elementary (Grade 5)
Bellevue School District
- Cherry Crest (Grade 3)
- Eastgate (Grade 5)
- Somerset Elementary (Grade 3)
Highline School District
- Hilltop (Grade 6)
- Seahurst Elementary (Grades 3, 4 & 5)
Kent School District
- Emerald Park Elementary (Grade 5)
Northshore School District
- Arrowhead (Grade 3)
- Kenmore Elementary (Grade 1)
Seattle School District
- Bailey Gatzert (Kindergarten)
- Beacon Hill Elementary (Grade 3)
- BF Day (Grade 1)
- Bryant Elementary (Grade 4)
- Coe Elementary (Grade 2)
- Dearborn Park Elementary (Grade 2)
- Jane Adams (Kindergarten)
- John Stanford Elementary School (Grade 3)
- Kimball Elementary (Grade 3)
- Lafayette Elementary School (Grade 3)
- Madrona K-8 (Grade 3)
- North Beach (Grade 3)
- Olympic Hills Elementary (Grades 3, 4 & 5)
- Queen Anne (Grades 1, 2, 3 & 5)
- Sacajawea Elementary (Grade 1)
- Stevens Elementary (Grade 5)
- Thornton Creek Elementary (Grade 5)
- TOPS (Grade 4)
- West Woodland Elementary (Grade 2)
Shoreline School District
- Brookside (Grade 6)
- Lake Forest Park Elementary (Kindergarten & Grade 2)
- Meridian (Grade 1)
Tahoma School District
- Glacier Park (Grade 4)
- Shadow Lake Elementary (Grades 4 & 5)
Vashon Island School District
Private Schools
- Bush School (Grade 4)
- Evergreen (Grade 5)
- First Place (Grades 2, 4 & 5)
- Giddens School (Grades 2 & 5)
- Jewish Community Center (Kindergarten)
- Overlake School (Grade 5)
- St. Madeleine Sophie School (Kindergarten & Grade 5)
- Westside School (Grade 2)
 Community Partners
These community partners support the success of Roots of Empathy locally by referring volunteer parents/babies to participate in the program and other assistance. Thank you!
- Program for Early Parental Support - Since 1983, PEPS has helped new parents to connect and grow. Parents come together each week to share the joys and challenges of parenthood and develop confidence in their own parenting abilities. For many parents, their PEPS Group becomes part of their extended family, a supportive community that lasts a lifetime. Learn more at www.peps.org.
- Community of Mindful Parents empowers parents of children under age 5 to become more effective, mindful and compassionate parents. They offer two parenting groups, Listening Mothers and Reflective Parenting, both with research-based curriculums that promote strong family bonds and sets the foundation for long lasting emotional health. Learn more at www.communityofmindfulparents.com.
- ParentMap is the intelligent, essential, trusted, parenting resource engaging parents with their community. For the 8th year in a row, ParentMap has been a Parenting Publications of America award winner and in 2011 won 16 awards! Learn more at www.parentmap.com.
Roots of Empathy is an international charitable organization. To learn more, visit www.rootsofempathy.org
Seeds of Empathy is Roots of Empathy's "younger sibling." It is a program that fosters social and emotional competencies and early literacy skills and attitudes in children three-to-five-years of age in Early Childhood settings. For more information, contact Carolyn Parkes at (780) 862-6833.
|
