Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based program that has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression and bullying among school children while raising social and emotional competence and increasing empathy. The program reaches elementary school children ages 5 to 13. Roots of Empathy is delivered internationally in Canada, New Zealand, the United States, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, the Republic of Korea and Norway
Since 2000, there have been many independent evaluations of the effectiveness of Roots of Empathy. Results have shown a significant decrease in aggression and increase in pro-social behavior in Roots of Empathy classes compared to classes of children who have not participated in Roots of Empathy, and that these improvements in behavior are maintained, or continue to improve, at least three years after program completion.
Our Goals:
To foster the development of empathy
To develop emotional literacy
To reduce levels of bullying, aggression and violence, and promote children’s pro-social behaviours
To increase knowledge of human development, learning, and infant safety
To prepare students for responsible citizenship and responsive parenting
What does the Roots of Empathy program look like?
At the heart of the program is a neighborhood infant and parent who visit the class every three weeks, for the family visit, over the school year. The Roots of Empathy Instructor also visits the week before and the week after each family visit (pre and post visits) to prepare and reinforce teachings using a specialized lesson plan for each visit.
Children in Roots of Empathy classrooms
develop executive functioning skills
develop emotional literacy
develop emotional regulation
develop resilience
learn to challenge cruelty and injustice
learn to form consensus, contributing to a culture of caring in the classroom
During the training, Instructors are given all Roots of Empathy learning materials necessary to deliver the program. Throughout the first year, Instructors are supported by a Mentor through phone calls, email messages and a classroom visit.
Roots of Empathy Instructors
Are members of the community with diverse professional and personal backgrounds, including, but not limited to: non-teaching school staff and retired teachers, health care, early childhood education, social work, guidance counseling, speech therapy and recreation, and policing
Receive certification through the Roots of Empathy training program
Deliver all aspects of the Roots of Empathy curriculum
Work closely with volunteer families, schools, and teachers outside and inside the classroom
Visit their classroom 27 times throughout the school year*
*Due to COVID, when looking ahead for next school year we are prepared to meet each schools needs - if that’s in person with the traditional program that’s wonderful, but if that’s not yet appropriate then we have a plan for that too. Both program models are available to Hawaiis school children at no cost to the schools.
Instructor training
Roots of Empathy provides a comprehensive, four day training with a certified trainer
You receive a curriculum, classroom kit, story books, and all other materials you will need to deliver the program
You receive on-going guidance on best practices by Roots of Empathy Mentors, as well as professional development opportunities, ensuring you are qualified, confident and supported
Learn more - Roots of Empathy Instructor Role, Responsibilities and Commitment
Please review the full Roots of Empathy Instructor Role, Responsibilities, and Commitment document here: https://www.rootsofempathy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/08.04-ROE-Instructor-RoleResponsibilities-and-Commitment.July2018-FINAL.pdf
In this video Roots of Empathy Instructor Alyssa tells us why she loves being an Instructor in the Roots of Empathy program in elementary schools. The children start noticing not only the baby but themselves and each other. They start nurturing their empathy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrEv-FO8o4A&feature=youtu.be
with Aloha,
Angelica Paulo Friedmann Program Manager and Senior Mentor Roots and Seeds of Empathy C: 808-233-9170 E: AFriedmann@RootsofEmpathy.org
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About ROOTS OF EMPATHY HAWAII
Location:
PO BOX 980, Waialua, HI 96791, US
Mission Statement
Roots of Empathy’s mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. Roots of Empathy strives to break the intergenerational cycle of violence and poor parenting. The focus of Roots of Empathy in the long term is to build capacity of the next generation for responsible citizenship and responsive parenting. In the short term, Roots of Empathy focuses on raising levels of empathy, resulting in more respectful and caring relationships and reduced levels of bullying and aggression. Part of our success is the universal nature of the program; all students are positively engaged instead of targeting bullies or aggressive children.
Description
At the heart of the program are a neighborhood infant and parent who visit the classroom throughout the school year. A trained Roots of Empathy Instructor coaches students to observe the baby’s development and 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. This lays the foundation for safer and more caring classrooms, where children are the "Changers."
We invest in our volunteer Instructors by providing a comprehensive, four day training with a certified Roots of Empathy trainer. You receive a curriculum, classroom kit, story books, and all other materials you will need to deliver the program.
You also receive on-going guidance on best practices by Roots of Empathy Mentors, as well as professional development opportunities, ensuring you are qualified, confident and supported.
Children & Youth
Education & Literacy
WHEN
Sun Aug 01, 2021 - Sat Oct 30, 2021
WHERE
This is a Virtual Opportunity with no fixed address.
(0.000,0.000)
DATE POSTED
February 6, 2021
SKILLS
General Education
Literacy / Reading
Youth Services
Family Therapy
Child Welfare
Child Development
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
Background Check
Must be at least 21
Orientation or Training
*Due to COVID, when looking ahead for next school year we are prepared to meet each schools needs - if that’s in person with the traditional program that’s wonderful, but if that’s not yet appropriate then we have a plan for that too.
Volunteers must live on one of the Hawaiian Islands. There will be four days of training (a combination of in-person and online training).
