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History

Roots of Empathy was launched in Manitoba as a pilot project in 2001. Positive outcomes resulted in the government of Manitoba offering the program province-wide to public, band-operated and private schools. In the ensuing 20+ years, Roots of Empathy has reached over 100,000 students continuing to help children’s mental health and wellbeing.

A 2024 highlight: On January 16th, Founder and President Mary Gordon was invited to meet with Nello Altomare, the Manitoba Minister of Education at the Manitoba Legislature to delve into discussions on student wellbeing and our Roots of Empathy and Seeds of Empathy programs. After the meeting, she met the Hon. Premier Web Kinew from the Onigaming First Nation.

Connections with Provincial School Mental Health Information

Roots of Empathy supports Manitoba Mental Health Promotion in Schools.

Please visit Manitoba Healthy Schools for more information.

Consider these compelling statistics that underscore the connection between Roots of Empathy and positive mental health and wellbeing:

  • 87% of students: Reported that their Roots of Empathy baby helped them to understand that they have the right to be loved.
  • 95% of teachers: Agreed or strongly agreed that the Roots of Empathy program supported students’ mental health and wellbeing.
  • 86% of parents: Agreed or strongly agreed that, thanks to Roots of Empathy, they feel more valued as a parent.

(Latest Manitoba APE stats updated January 2024)

Research

Since 2000, the Roots of Empathy program has been evaluated by independent researchers through comparative and randomized controlled studies designed to measure the impact of the program on children’s behaviour and social wellbeing. This research has been conducted in numerous countries across three continents.

Research has found that children in the Roots of Empathy program experience:

  • An increase in prosocial behaviours (E.g., sharing, helping and including)
  • An increase in empathy
  • A decrease in aggressive behaviours, including bullying

Specifically, Santos et al (2011) conducted a longitudinal randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the Roots of Empathy program in schools across Manitoba, Canada. This study assessed children in kindergarten, grade 4, grade 8 and compared children participating in the Roots of Empathy program to children not participating in the Roots of Empathy program.

Results of the study found that children in the Roots of Empathy program experienced:

  • A decrease in aggression in children, both immediately and three-years after program completion
  • An increase in prosocial behaviours (E.g., sharing, helping, including) in children immediately following the program

See how Van Walleghem School students are improving their social competence with the help of a very special teacher.

Manitoba Children’s Art 

Grade 2 Student, Ste. Anne, Manitoba

I was feeling “sad because people died.” 

“It’s important that adults in a child’s life are able to connect with the child’s emotional state. In Roots of Empathy, we help the child learn how to express their feelings. A child who is feeling sad is in a state that precludes learning. Classroom teachers often tell us that they appreciate the way we address the child’s emotional state before we start instruction. A child who is sad, anxious, or stressed will not be able to learn optimally. Roots of Empathy offers Host Classroom Teachers opportunities to connect with children’s emotional states, which is a key capacity in any leadership role.”– Founder/President Mary Gordon

Grade 2 Student, Ste. Anne, Manitoba 

I hope our Roots of Empathy Baby “can conquer her fears :)”

Speech bubbles: “I got it 🙂 I’m good”

“Mrs. P”, “You got it”

“In this seven-year-old’s drawing, it is wonderful to see the role of guidance and encouragement that her teacher, Mrs. P, plays. This little girl has developed cognitive empathy in that she understands that her Roots of Empathy Baby has fears. Her perspective-taking skills and her imagination are well honed, because she creates a scenario where she herself and her teacher interact. Her wish for her Roots of Empathy Baby is altruistic in that it is genuine and shows deep empathy. With seven-year-olds like this, who understand the vulnerability of others and are able to unselfishly wish the best for them, then we can expect a society where people look out for one another and care.” – Founder/President Mary Gordon

Grade 1 Student, Ste. Anne, Manitoba

I hope our Roots of Empathy Baby “gets along with others.”

“Getting along with others is an essential capacity for successful learning. This little boy in Grade 1 is imagining the progression of his Roots of Empathy Baby as he grows up. He realizes that of all the things he could wish for the baby, if the baby just develops this ability to get along with others, he will be able to get along with life, with learning, and loving.”– Founder/President Mary Gordon

What Manitoba Teachers and Students Say

When asked, “What can Roots of Empathy teach the world?” this was a student’s response: “How to treat other people with respect and how to respect yourself more how you can understand people better and can help you be a more caring person.”

Manitoba Grade 5 Student

When asked about the impact of the program, teachers offered comments such as: “The program was extremely important for the social and emotional development of our students which was greatly required for them to grow as children and learners. The backgrounds of our students are that of trauma and loss. They learned that there is hope in a new life and that we need to cherish everyone and accept that everyone is different and something to offer.”

Manitoba Multi-Age EAL Classroom Teacher

When asked about the impact of the program, Roots of Empathy volunteer parents offered comments such as: “It’s one thing to explain empathy. But for a child to see a real living breathing little being. To see them grow and develop, to see the most vulnerable being- a baby, grow and learn and bond with them is such an important lesson for everyone. To think beyond yourself and see that other’s think and need differently. That is invaluable.”

Manitoba Volunteer Parent in a Grade 6/7 Class

When asked about the impact of the program, Roots of Empathy Instructors offered comments such as: “The children seemed more calm, more understanding of each others’ differences, and were not as quick to judge others.”

Manitoba Grade 6 Instructor

For more information on our Manitoba programming, contact: 

 

Colleen Weibel

cweibel@rootsofempathy.org

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