Parents and babies benefit from the Roots of Empathy initiative

THE conclusion of an innovative programme that saw newborn babies being brought into primary school classrooms around the county for a year was marked with a ‘baby celebration’ this week.

On Tuesday morning, the babies and their parents gathered in Firhouse Educate Together National School to reflect on their involvement in Barnardos’ Roots of Empathy initiative.

Some of the babies were from Tallaght, Clondalkin, and Ballyfermot and were brought to schools in those areas during the academic year, so the children could track their development and emotions.

It helped the children to connect with their own emotions, and to relate their own experiences to what the babies are encountering.

Sometimes a baby might take slightly longer than usual to be able to sit up unaided, and this can open up discussions in the class about what the children are struggling to do and how they should approach it.

They also sing songs to the babies, who are called ‘Tiny Teachers’, and try to identify and understand their emotions, and reflect on their learning throughout the process.

Holly Howell, project leader of Roots of Empathy, told The Echo: “In Roots of Empathy, what we try to do is look at the emotional side of learning.

“We help them to develop more pro-social skills like kindness, caring, inclusion and sharing, and to be able to share how they feel.

“The programme is such a visual way of learning by bringing a baby into the classroom, because babies have no boundaries around how they feel – you know if they’re having a bad day.”

Holly Howell with baby Freddie and mum Sarah

The children are not the only ones who benefit from Roots of Empathy, as the parents of the babies who take part also describe it as a positive experience.

“The feedback the parents have given us is that it’s like 30 little people are cheering their baby on in their first year of life,” said Ms Howell.

“Whenever the baby does something new the children are always like, ‘Look, he smiled!’ or ‘He’s rolled over!’.”

The babies visited the classes every three weeks for the full school year, and the programme culminated in a celebration on Tuesday morning to thank the babies and parents.

“We give all of the babies a little certificate, just saying thanks for being a ‘Tiny Teacher’ and Barnardos’ tiniest volunteers,” added Ms Howell.

“We also give them a little teddy as a thank you for a job well done, and we also acknowledge the parents for participating.”

Barnardos are now seeking parents of babies born between May and September this year who may be interested in volunteering in next year’s Roots of Empathy in a school local to them.

Each ‘Tiny Teacher’ is assigned a class that they visit every three weeks for the full academic year.

To register your interest or find out more information, visit barnardos or email info.roe@barnardos.ie.