In St Theresa’s we are delighted to be taking part in the Roots of Empathy Programme under the leadership of our trained Roots of Empathy Instructor Mrs Mc Cool.
At the heart of the Programme we welcome an infant and parent from the local community who visit a chosen classroom on nine occasions throughout the school year. It is an evidence-based Programme that observes the baby’s development while promoting and encouraging the pupils to identify and reflect on their own feelings and encourage empathy with others.
This year our Primary 4 pupils were involved in the Roots of Empathy Programme and they always looked forward to welcoming their special little visitor into the classroom - Baby Molly Coyle.
Our Primary 4 pupils have built such a positive and loving relationship with Baby Molly through the Roots of Empathy Programme. They have also gained from listening to and learning about Parenting from Mummy Christine, who enjoys seeing Baby Molly interact with all of the Primary 4 pupils.
Baby Molly has the Primary 4 pupils engaged and enthralled with her new skills and milestones as she grows and develops her own personality observed and experienced by them on a regular basis.
Through this experiential learning, Mrs Mc Cool and Baby Molly are able to succeed in helping the children identify and reflect on their own feelings and the feelings of others. This "emotional literacy" taught through the Roots of Empathy Programme lays the foundation for more safe and caring classrooms, where children are the "Changers". They become confident in recognizing and understanding their own feelings, and also the feelings of others. They can challenge what is not fair and are keen to help those with problems.
Watching our P4 children engage with Molly is just beautiful and I know our pupils always look forward to seeing their ‘teacher’ Molly on the next planned visit.
Baby Molly even created her own video to wish the Primary 4 boys and girls a Happy Easter and let them share in the new skills she had developed and the milestones reached since her last visit in school. A lovely token from Baby Molly, her Mummy, Daddy and two sisters. Click on the video to find out more!
Finally, If you would like to find out more information about the Roots of Empathy Programme, please click here.
