Welcome to Roots of Empathy
"Roots of Empathy is Canada's olive branch to the world." - enRoute Magazine
Roots of Empathy is a powerful idea whose time has come. An evidenced-based charitable organization, its mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. Its vision is to change the world - one child at a time.
Roots of Empathy is considered a model of social innovation and has two evidence-based programs: a flagship program of the same name for children in elementary school (Roots of Empathy) and its "younger sibling," a program for children ages three to five in childcare settings Seeds of Empathy.
Find it fast:
Watch our video
Key Information
History and Milestones
The Roots of Empathy program was founded in Canada in 1996 by Mary Gordon, an internationally recognized educator, social entrepreneur, author and child advocate, and today has reached more than 325,000 children worldwide.
At the heart of the program are classroom visits by an infant and parent. Through guided observations of this loving relationship, children learn to identify and reflect on their own thoughts and feelings and those of others (empathy). Independent evaluations consistently show children who receive Roots of Empathy experience dramatic and lasting effects in terms of increased positive social behaviour (sharing, helping and including) and decreased aggression.
Roots of Empathy has been recognized by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, Daniel Goleman, Daniel Siegel and the World Health Organization, among others. The organization works in partnership with Indigenous people globally, and has been endorsed in Canada by National Chief Shawn Atleo (and former Chief Phil Fontaine) of the Assembly of First Nations. Mary Gordon, Founder/President of Roots of Empathy has won numerous awards, and her program has also won an international Changemakers award.
Pour obtenir des renseignements en français, cliquez ici.
News
Roots of Empathy babies celebrated across Canada
June 10, 2010: A multitude of babies and children were fêted today as "British Columbia's youngest teachers" at "A Decade of Empathy," the Vancouver Roots of Empathy baby celebration. The event - captured on the front page of the Vancouver Sun - was held to mark the 10th anniversary of Roots of Empathy in the B.C. It was one of hundreds of Roots of Empathy baby celebrations that happen across Canada and around the world at the end of each school year to thank volunteer Roots of Empathy babies and parents who have shared their special bond with children in the program. (Read more)
New children's book by Mary Gordon now available!
May 24, 2010: A children's story book created by ROE/SOE Creator Mary Gordon for parents and for children 3 to 8 years old, is now available for sale. In Daniel's Day, the introduction to this book gives parents unique insights into the emotional life of a five year old child and the importance of the ebb and flow of relationships in families. A tin mirror at the back of the book invites reflection on feelings from both the adult and child reader in a playful way. It is available in English and French. Buy the book!
Roots of Empathy in TIME, on Fox News, and Elsewhere
May 20, 2010: The Roots of Empathy organization is receiving unprecedented international media coverage recently! TIME magazine has recently done an article on Roots of Empathy (available on newsstands worldwide as of May 20). The article appears on page 45 of the May 24 edition of TIME and is also available online.
Meanwhile, Fox News (Fox & Friends) has interviewed Mary Gordon on the topic of bullying. Watch the interview on the Fox News website, here. The show aired on Sunday, May 23, at approximately 8:20 a.m. EST. CNN's Anderson Cooper 360° show plans to do an upcoming episode on Roots of Empathy, which will likely air in the fall.
Finally, a new book about empathy called Born for Love, by Maia Szalavitz and Dr. Bruce Perry, features Roots of Empathy extensively.
Roots of Empathy in TIME online
April 17, 2010: Roots of Empathy has been featured in an article on TIME magazine's website today. The article, entitled "How Not to Raise a Bully: The Early Roots of Empathy" explores the idea that empathy is essential for positive and proper development. It profiles Roots of Empathy as a program that is successful in teaching empathy to school-children. Read the article now!
Empathy spreading in New Zealand
March 1, 2010: In the Southern Hemisphere, where the school year has just begun, Roots of Empathy (ROE) is celebrating a major milestone: our fourth year of operations in a country outside of Canada. New Zealand now has the longest-running international ROE program, which has already reached 4,275 children in four years. In 2010-11, we welcome new ROE partner, Barnardos.... (Read more)
Mary Gordon Contributes to Empathy Debate on The Huffington Post
Feb. 18, 2010: Roots of Empathy is delighted to announce that a blog post by Mary Gordon, "Empathic Civilization: Building A New World One Child at a Time," has appeared today on The Huffington Post, one of the most popular news websites on the Internet. (Read more)