Roots of Empathy Begins at Clarenville Middle School

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Roots of Empathy is an award winning, evidence-based classroom program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression among school children by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. At the heart of the program are a neighbourhood infant and parent who visit the classroom every three weeks over the school year. The students observe the baby’s development and learn to label the baby’s feelings. In this experiential learning, the baby is the "Teacher" and a lever, which the instructor uses to help children identify and reflect on their own feelings and the feelings of others.

Grade 4 Vey are thrilled to be taking part in this program. They have already had a number of classes and have met their Baby Jeffrey for the first time. The class discovered that their baby was 8 lb 5 oz when he was born and now he weighs 19 lbs. When he was born Baby Jeffrey was 23 inches and today he is 29 inches.

The students also discovered that Baby Jeffrey likes music and that he loves to laugh. During the class the students sang a few songs to Jeffrey that made him smile and laugh. The students are very happy to see that Jeffrey is healthy, happy and growing. We all can’t wait for his next visit in a few weeks.

 

DECEMBER UPDATE #1

Our grade 4 class has started its second theme in our Roots of Empathy program. In this unit students talked about crying and why babies cry. They also learned some ways they can calm and soothe a baby when the baby is upset. We talked about a baby’s brain and how delicate the brain is. Also students learned that the first year of a baby’s life is the most vulnerable for a baby. Students also learned about Shaken Baby Syndrome and why it is dangerous to shake a baby. When Baby Jeffrey visited the classroom, students learned that Jeffrey likes his mom to sing to him and to walk him when he is upset. Baby Jeffrey responded positively to the children when they sang him a lullaby. They can’t wait to see Jeffrey next month as he gets ready to celebrate his first Christmas.

The most important part of this theme was that the students learned about empathy and how to help others who are sad and upset.

 

  
 
 

 

DECEMBER UPDATE #2

We have now started Unit 3 of our Roots of Empathy Program. In this unit we looked at diapers. The students examined things such as how much they cost, the comfort of them for the baby, which is better : cloth or disposable. They also discussed how a baby might react when a baby is being changed. During Baby Jeffrey’s visit the mom answered all the students' questions about diapering Jeffrey: from what kind of diaper Jeffrey liked, to the cost of Jeffrey’s diapers, to how often Jeffrey gets changed during the day. They also saw mom change Jeffrey’s diaper. During this lesson the students not only focused on Jeffrey and his feelings, but also on the mom and what is best for her - which diaper is more convenient for mom to use. The students also presented Jeffrey with a Christmas gift as he got ready to celebrate his first Christmas.

  
 

JANUARY PICTURES

 

 

FEBRUARY - MAY UPDATE

The past few months have been busy months for our Roots of empathy class and we have learned many new things. We spent some time learning about sleep. Did you know that our dreams occur during REM ( rapid eye movement) sleep? Also did you know that this is when we get our best rest? We talked to mom about Jeffery’s sleep patterns and if she uses transition objects to get Jeffery back to sleep. Mom said that Jeffery sometimes likes to sleep in the bed with mom and dad.  We also learned about Safety. There are certain things that mom’s need to do to keep babies safe before they are born and many important things they need to do to keep babies safe after they are born. We learned that there is no safe about of alcohol to drink before the baby is born. Also , smoking can do a lot of harm to the baby both before the baby is born and after the baby is born. Jeffery’s mom said that her main safety concern is that Jeffery will fall down the stairs to the basement.  We were most excited to see all the changes in Jeffery. He is growing so quickly. He can now pull himself up and he crawls everywhere. We can’t wait for the day when he can walk by himself.
 
   
       

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFFERY

Today Jeffery turned one and our class gave him a birthday party. We had a CARS cake because Jeffery likes to play with cars. We were really excited to meet Jeffery’s dad who came to the party with Jeffery and mom. Jeffery seemed to enjoy opening his gifts , but he still seems to like the wrapping paper the best. Jeffery’s big brother also dropped into the party. We had cookies, cake and sandwiches. There were even loots bags for everyone. It was a great day.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, JEFFERY!