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.

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.

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.

In 2021 we are running this programme in two of our classes:

Year 3/4 class, Room Miro - our Roots of Empathy family this year are parents, Tabea and Philipp Loest, our teacher, Baby Max and his big brothers, Jacob (who is in Room Kauri) and Daniel (3).

Year 4/5 class, Room Rata - our Roots of Empathy family this year are parents, Marloes Houtzager & Marc MacKay and our teacher will be Baby Sven.

A huge thank you and a very warm welcome to these two families who are choosing to share their babies first year with us.

Our trained instructor is Michelle Marino.

This programme is now in its 12th year at Kaharoa School.

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.

www.rootsofempathy.org

last edited: Sat, February 27, 2021