We can learn to care and love one another and not treat others unfairly.”

 

- Grade 4/5 student, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Over the last eight years, 375 babies with the Roots of Empathy program have been the youngest teachers in Nova Scotia’s classrooms.  A similar number of volunteer parents have learned more about their babies and the key role they play in their child's development.

Hundreds of Nova Scotia classroom teachers have learned about their students' emotional lives and witnessed first-hand the power of helping children to develop social and emotional literacy.

In 2010-11, 1,500 children in Nova Scotia are participating in Roots of Empathy in 60 classrooms. The program is delivered in English and French, in urban, rural and remote communities including schools with high concentrations of Aboriginal students and in a First Nations school.

Many agencies in Nova Scotia contribute Instructors, Mentors, or local program coordinators (Key Point People) to Roots of Empathy. Non-teaching school board staff have been trained as program instructors. Roots of Empathy's instructor certification is highly valued in education, health, social service, and related fields, and the training provided is a significant capacity building investment in Nova Scotia communities.

Roots of Empathy is committed to providing equitable access to its program in the French language. Our programs began running in French and French immersion classrooms in Nova Scotia in 2005 with a dedicated French curriculum.

Nova Scotia first offered the Roots of Empathy program in 2003, when it was introduced to 10 classrooms reaching 250 children. Human Resources Development Canada was integral to getting the program off the ground and Nova Scotia programs have also been supported by the United Way and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation.  The program has grown and to date Roots of Empathy has reached more than 9,000 children in the province.