Roots of Empathy Founder Visits Pembina Trails

Pembina Trails School Division was honored with a visit from the founder of the Roots of Empathy program, Mary Gordon, on May 2. The division has participated in the Roots of Empathy program since 2006, giving thousands of students the benefits of learning, feeling and tapping into their own empathy.

“I originally came up with the idea at a time when I was working with a lot of young mothers and their babies. I saw how responsive the babies were to the simple act of being loved and I thought that bringing that connection to more children could be beneficial,” said Gordon while speaking to a Grade 5 class at Arthur A. Leach School. When asked by a student why she created the program, Gordon responded, “I really do want to make the world a better place, but it’s not just up to me, it’s up to the children to change the world.”

Students were asking Gordon questions following a family lesson that included instructor Jenna Neuendorff, classroom teacher Taylor Martin, mom Chloe Tate and “Little Teacher” Monty Tate. The children gathered around a special green blanket where Baby Monty safely played and often stared with wonder at all his “students”.  They’re learning to recognize and connect with vulnerability and humanity through a specialized curriculum.

On this day’s lessons, students observed and identified how they thought Baby Monty was feeling:

“He looks like he is remembering us.”

“He looks curious.”

“Excited.”

The students then asked mom questions about their “Little Teacher’s” development such as what is he eating, does he do “silly-ness?”, can he swim or walk and what words can he say?

At just seven and a half months, Monty is just learning to crawl using his arms to pull himself across the rug. Mom Chloe says he eats everything, and his favorites are eggs, fruit, cooked vegetables and strawberries.

The students’ intense interest and care for Baby Monty is evident in their faces throughout the lesson.

“I feel so hopeful when I see how much you do care and do feel,” said Gordon to the class. “It is so beautiful to see everyone interacting with the baby and wanting to protect the baby.”

The Roots of Empathy program is now offered in all Canadian provinces in both English and French as well as in 11 countries in seven different languages. For more information about the program, visit Roots of Empathy - Roots of Empathy.