{"id":3149,"date":"2026-03-24T12:08:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/?p=3149"},"modified":"2026-03-24T12:08:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:08:48","slug":"roots-of-empathy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/2026\/03\/24\/roots-of-empathy\/","title":{"rendered":"Roots of Empathy"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are absolutely delighted to confirm that Action for Children have kindly offered to host a Roots of Empathy course in the Scottish Borders next academic session. This course will only be able to run if we have enough interest across out schools. A minimum of 6 delegates are required to run this course and the cost per school would be \u00a31682.63 and \u00a3306.50 for annual re-accreditation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The opportunity was discussed with Cluster Leads on Friday, so this might be something you would like to discuss with your Cluster Lead first.<\/p>\n

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Roots of Empathy is a Mental, health and wellbeing programme which has been delivered in Primary schools in Scotland for over 15 years. \u00a0Roots of Empathy is experiential learning at its best and at the heart of the programme is a local parent and baby who visit the class over the course of the school year.<\/p>\n

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Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based research programme, and these are the goals:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. To foster the development of emotional literacy and empathy, <\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. \u00a0To reduce levels of bullying and aggression and promote prosocial behaviours (e.g., helping, caring, sharing, including, etc.), promote children\u2019s mental health, <\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. To prepare pupils for responsive parenting <\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. \u00a0To prepare pupils for responsible citizenship, and <\/strong><\/li>\n
  5. \u00a0To promote mental health, resilience, and well-being among children <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The children\/young people are guided by a trained instructor to observe the emotions of the baby, to name these emotions and be able to identify these emotions in themselves and others which leads to perspective taking and empathy. ( emotional literacy). They learn about infant development, brain development, the attachment relationship, and important safety messages not just for babies but for themselves and this helps prepare pupils for the future.<\/p>\n

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    Here is feedback from one of our class teachers who had the programme in her classroom this year:<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201c<\/strong>Over the course of the Roots of Empathy programme, I observed positive changes in many of the children\u2019s emotional awareness and their interactions with others. Several pupils\u2014particularly those who are more vulnerable\u2014began to show increased empathy and sensitivity in their relationships with peers. The Family Visits were a clear highlight, with children showing high levels of engagement and curiosity about the baby\u2019s development. The overall experience helped create meaningful conversations around feelings, caring, and understanding others, which contributed to a more supportive and connected classroom environment.<\/p>\n

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    Thank you for everything you did to bring the programme to life in our classroom. The experience has created meaningful learning opportunities, and the memories will be carried with the children for years to come\u201d.<\/p>\n

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    Click here<\/a> to access the documents listed below:<\/p>\n