Roots of Empathy launched programs in Alberta in 2002.
What can Roots of Empathy teach the world?
“Roots of Empathy can teach the world to love one another.”
– Grade 1 Student, Medicine Hat
What Alberta teachers and students say
“Students were accepting of the emotions seen in their peers and would try to understand where they were coming from. Hardly any fights in my class this year! It's a powerful way to teach empathy! Children are very “me-centered” and this allows them to look past themselves and gain some perspective on others. Create a more understanding community.”
Grade 3 teacherBlackfalds
“Everyone needs to be loved to be able to grow. Everyone has feelings that can get hurt and they need to be treated fairly.”
Grade 7 StudentCardston
“93% of students reported that if they saw a friend being bullied or treated meanly, they would help them.”
“89% of teachers strongly agreed or agreed that as a result of Roots of Empathy, students showed more prosocial behaviour (e.g. sharing, helping, cooperating) by the end of the school year.”
“91% of teachers strongly agreed or agreed that as a result of Roots of Empathy, students are more inclusive or accepting of others who are different from themselves (including culture, race, special needs, gender, etc…).”
“This has been one of the best programs I have seen brought into a school in a very long time. I believe that the education students now have about caring for babies/others will be remembered and will impact their future interactions with other children. I believe that if any of them ever witness a baby being mistreated or improperly cared for, that they will step up and do the right thing. This could very likely save a child's life at some point in the future.”
