1st Class have been invited to participate in a HSE Education initiative entitled ‘Roots of Empathy’. This programme which originated in Ontario, Canada aims to promote empathy, emotional literacy and to reduce levels of bullying and physical aggression through the promotion of positive social behaviours.
Ms P. G. will facilitate the workshops and the central focus of the programme will be monthly visits from a ‘mother and child’. There will be a total of 27 lessons with 9 family visits. We are particularly delighted to welcome school parent, R. M. and her new baby A. to the programme. We look forward to learning about A.’s development during his first year.
Keep in touch with the progress of this exciting venture by visiting our Roots of Empathy noticeboard outside the Port or by visiting this page.

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.