The natural empathy that Jane Brody refers to (Empathy’s Natural, but Nurturing it Helps) is often evident in children and adults when they interact with an infant.
Spontaneous smiles, gentle relaxed facial expressions and softened voices are some of the responses evoked by a baby. Mary Gordon, the creator of the Canadian program Roots of Empathy and author of the book by the same title, has developed a school based program focusing on the power of a baby and the relationship with a parent to nurture empathy.
In Gordon’s words, “Empathy is caught, not taught.” Students throughout the Seattle area are “catching” empathy through the implementation of the Roots of Empathy program for students K-8 and through a demonstration project of Seeds of Empathy a program for 3-5 year old children in child care settings.
The young infant and parent visit a classroom every three weeks throughout the school year. The classroom visits are facilitated by a trained instructor who guides the student’s observations and interactions with the baby and mother through a series of themes related to developmental milestones of the infant. Themes are reinforced through carefully selected children’s books that highlight emotional responses.
Students who may have missed an early experience of attachment and attunement are able to witness the emotional dance between the mother and the infant to gain some understanding of the foundational elements of all relationships in life.
Roots of Empathy is currently being delivered in 38 area classrooms in the Seattle, Highline, Kent, Bellevue and Shoreline districts and in four private schools Lakeside, Bush, Westside and the JCC. Seeds of Empathy is being piloted at the Stroum Jewish Community Center and at the Ninth Avenue Children’s House.
For more information about the programs, please visit www.rootsofempathy.org
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As a psychiatrist and mother of two young children, I enthusiastically read last week’s New York Times article on empathy. All too often, people believe that empathy is something we teach our children when, in fact, children are inherently capable of empathizing with others. Research has demonstrated babies’ abilities to detect differences in others’ facial expressions and likely discern the feelings of people around them. This early ability to infer what others are thinking and feeling is a key to healthy social and emotional development. While we live in a hectic world, by slowing down, taking the time to listen, and trying to understand your child’s feelings, you can foster an environment in which empathy can flourish.