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Roots of Empathy: From Research to Recognition |
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 Roots of Empathy is coming into its own. At a time when stories of marginalization, aggression and bullying abound, educators are recognizing that Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is as important to the success of their students, as the traditional three Rs. Indeed, SEL abilities, such as empathy, are now being considered essential 21st century skills in our rapidly changing world.
Started in 1996, Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom program that has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression among schoolchildren while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. At the heart of the program are a neighbourhood infant and parent who engage students in their classroom. Over the school year, a trained Roots of Empathy Instructor guides the children as they observe the relationship between baby and parent, understanding the baby’s intentions and emotions. Through this model of experiential learning, the baby is the “Teacher” and a catalyst, helping children identify and reflect on their own feelings and the feelings of others.
Research results from national and international evaluations of the Roots of Empathy program indicate decreases in aggression and increases in prosocial behaviour. According to a recent study from British Columbia1:
- Teachers reported a significant decrease in aggressive behavior by students in Roots of Empathy programs, in contrast to an increase in such behavior by members of the control group over the same period.
- Children who completed Roots of Empathy were much more likely to report prosocial behavior in their classroom peers, recognizing acts of kindness such as sharing, helping and understanding.
- Roots of Empathy participants significantly improved in their ability to understand the baby’s emotions, independently generating possible causes for the baby’s crying.
As well, the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences at the University of Washington, in Seattle, USA, will evaluate brain and behavioural development in 5-year-olds in the Seeds of Empathy program and 9-year-olds in the Roots of Empathy program. This study will begin in the spring of 2012, expanding to include a pre-post behavioural evaluation design for fall 2012 and spring 2013, with results expected in late 2013. Neurophysiological evaluations will entail investigation of structural (MRI) and functional (MEG brain imaging) changes associated with participation in the programs.
Recognition for the tangible, quantifiable results of Roots of Empathy is also growing. At the Clinton Global Initiative Meeting in New York in September 2011, the NoVo Foundation, promoter of societal transformation, launched its Social and Emotional Learning Action Network White Paper, which cites Roots of Empathy as “one of the finest evidence-based programs … of emotional literacy, using a well-tested, research-based curriculum to support student observations and interactions that lead to an increase in empathy and pro-sociability, as well as a decrease in aggression, bullying and negative behaviour…2
Additionally, in mid-October, The Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation, which has been encouraging Canadian innovation for over 25 years, will honour Mary Gordon, President and Founder of Roots of Empathy, with one of its prestigious awards, once again acknowledging the impact that this Canadian-born initiative has had internationally. Embraced by English, French and Aboriginal communities in every province in Canada, Roots of Empathy has been adopted on three continents, and continues to expand, earning the moniker “Canada’s olive branch to the world.”
1 Schonert-Reichl, K. A., Smith, V., Anat Zaidman-Zait, A., & Hertzman, C. (2011) Promoting Children’s Prosocial Behaviours in School: Impact of the “Roots of Empathy” Program on the Social and Emotional Competence of School-Aged Children.
2 Sherman, Robert F., for the NoVo Foundation (2011) Social and Emotional Learning Action Network White Paper, Version 1.0 present at CGI Annual Meeting, September 21, 2011. |
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What's New
Mary Gordon Profiled in the New York Times!
May 13, 2012: Roots of Empathy Founder/President Mary Gordon reveals her favourite music, books, television and food in a New York Times Sunday Review feature story yesterday.
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Mary Gordon Celebrates Saskatchewan’s First Tiny Teachers
25 April 2012: Tuesday witnessed Saskatchewan’s first ever Baby Celebration, with Mary Gordon on hand to honour the 'tiny teachers' responsible for fostering empathy in Saskatoon schools through the Roots of Empathy program.
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Mary Gordon on Panel of The Walrus RBC Conversation Series
20 April 2012: Mary Gordon will be joined by Dr. Maryam Mehtar, Assistant Professor and Program Director, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan, and Dr. Ruthann Bell, Senior Psychologist, Child and Youth Program, Saskatoon Health Region in Saskatoon on Tuesday, April 24th, at this year’s first event in the ongoing The Walrus RBC Conversation Series, Children and Youth Mental Health: How to Foster Mental Wellness in Our Children.
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Mary Gordon named 2012 Superhero for Washington Families
April 2012: Mary Gordon has been named a 2012 Superhero for Washington families, in April’s issue of ParentMap.
 Nominated by past Superhero nominees and readers in Washington State, this year’s roster includes individuals from a variety of sectors – education to social justice and philanthropy – all sharing “a seemingly endless source of compassion, energy, talent, and dedication.”
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Ashoka Insider Features Mary Gordon in New Book on Social Entrepreneurs Worldwide
April 10, 2012: Mary Gordon, Founder/President of Roots of Empathy, is featured in the first-ever book by an Ashoka insider, in Beverly Schwartz’s Rippling: How Social Entrepreneurs Spread Innovation throughout the World, released at the end of March.
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Mary Gordon Presents 'How to Lead' at Skoll World Forum
 April 5, 2012: March 27-30th, Mary Gordon joined 800 of the world’s most influential social entrepreneurs, key thought leaders and strategic partners gathered at Oxford to exchange ideas, solutions and information. With Bill Drayton, CEO and Founder of Ashoka, Gordon twice hosted a workshop to discuss empathy as a critical leadership skill, entitled: Empathy: How to Lead in an ‘Everyone-a-Changemaker™’ World.
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Mary Gordon Secures Multiple Commitments to Roots of Empathy at Change Nation, Ireland
March 28, 2012: Roots of Empathy Founder/President Mary Gordon was the featured speaker on social innovation, representing 50 of the world’s leading social innovators invited to Ireland last week to help address key challenges facing the country. From March 22-24, Change Nation connected those behind world-recognized solutions with Irish champions, talent and finance to execute innovations related to the environment, health, education, civic participation and economic development.
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Mary Gordon Featured at Change Nation in Dublin, Ireland
March 7, 2012: Having recently received the personal support of the Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, the Change Nation event March 22nd to 24th is making waves in both the international and Irish Press as a social innovation platform bringing together entrepreneurs, activists, community and business leaders.
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