Roots of Empathy

The Roots of Empathy programme was introduced to Kaharoa School in 2010 and is now running in a number of schools in Rotorua. The Roots of Empathy Rotorua Charitable Trust was set up to ensure the cost of the programme wasn’t a barrier to schools wanting the programme while also ensuring the programme was financially sustainable for those schools that were currently offering the programme.

Roots of Empathy is a classroom programme that has shown significant and lasting effect in reducing levels of aggression among school children by raising social and emotional competence and increasing empathy. The programme is led by our teacher, baby Lilah Eddy and our trained instructor Sarah Noel. In 2018 we will be running this programme in our Year 3/4 class, Room Miro. This programme is now in its 9th year at Kaharoa School.

Through this programme children are better able to relate to each other and express how they feel; understand the power and influence of the parent/child bond and how the baby learns and develops; understand that we are all different, we learn at different rates, we have different temperaments and how we are all unique; understand the responsibilities of parenting, how to hold and care for a baby and the negative effects alcohol and drugs can have on a baby’s development. Ultimately reducing child abuse.

All of our community benefits from the delivery of this programme - Caring classrooms, reduced aggression, reduced bullying, empathetic citizens, caring civil citizens, reduction in child abuse and reduction in teen pregnancies.

Often new families whose babies take part in the programme are introduced into our school and build relationships with the school as a potential future parent.

If your school is interested in participating in Roots of Empathy, please complete our expression of interest form.

Warwick Moyle

Principal and Trustee Roots of Empathy Rotorua Charitable Trust

www.rootsofempathy.org

last edited: Fri, May 18, 2018