“For Roots of Empathy, it is crucial that it is a baby and not a toddler. A baby is tiny and helpless and can’t tell you how it’s feeling and we were all babies once. We can identify with them.” – Harriet Noble, BBC producer

Video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05vpw3f

Podcast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05vq1hg

 

Producer Harriet Noble and video journalist Richard Kenny came from London to visit a Gr. 4 classroom in Toronto to see and hear for themselves the power of the Roots of Empathy program. They stayed for the afternoon interviewing teacher Tom Veenstra, our Mom Cory and baby Naomi, our Instructor Kathy Kathy, our Founder President Mary Gordon, and, of course, the students. They produced a video, a podcast, and a radio broadcast. It has now topped 18 million views on social media.

 

Why this video and podcast are important:

• BBC World Hacks describes itself as “an innovative new weekly programme looking at how we can solve the worlds’ problems” and it has a huge international audience
• It helps us to understand the importance of the program in developing social and emotional skills, and empathy, in children
• You’ll see and hear how the Roots of Empathy Instructor guides the children to observe and reflect on the baby’s actions and feelings
• You’ll hear Founder President Mary Gordon and Instructor Kathy Kathy explain how and why Roots of Empathy works
• Inclusion has always been a Roots of Empathy goal and in this very diverse classroom, you’ll see clearly that diversity and inclusion can go hand in hand
• You’ll see and hear insights from the children in the Roots of Empathy classroom
• You’ll hear about the research that shows how and why the program works
• You’ll hear teacher Tom Veenstra talk about how he fits the program into the school day, and why he does it