Print

Roots of Empathy featured in The Independent 

January 11, 2013: Roots of Empathy was profiled in The Independent, Britain’s national daily newspaper, this week, with observations by journalist Richard Garner as he visited a Roots of Empathy Family Visit at Edmund Waller Primary School in Lewisham.

 

Independent_UK_1_web

Lewisham students observe their 'tiny teacher' Zoe.

 
Roots of Empathy launched in England earlier this year, with pilot programs in 14 primary schools throughout south London’s boroughs of Lewisham and Croydon. Garner provides a comprehensive overview of the program*, and speaks with Roots of Empathy Founder/President Mary Gordon, as well as the Instructor, volunteer family, and participating students.

 

“More than a decade of [research] findings have consistently revealed that Roots of Empathy children perceive a more caring classroom environment by the end of the programme and exhibit decreases in aggression, including bullying,” explains Gordon. The article cites research indicating the long-term effects of the program as improvements in pro-social behaviour are sustained for years after participation.

 

Read the full article on The Independent’s website. Continue checking the Roots of Empathy website for more updates on the program as it continues to grow.



* There is a typo repeated in the article describing the program as having been established in 1966. In fact, Gordon implemented the very first Roots of Empathy programs in 1996, in Toronto, Canada.
 
Back