Anti-bullying Program Has Kids Watching Babies
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 9:15 am
Can "empathy babies" teach children to be kind and reduce bullying in schools?
A controversial anti-bullying program used in Canada for over a decade is now being introduced in United States schools.
"Roots of Empathy" involves having students watch mothers and babies interact as a way of teaching them sensitivity to body language and other people's needs.
A study of the Canadian "Roots of Empathy" program showed email data aggressive behaviors decreased among children who were in classes with "empathy babies," and children who had formerly been bullies reduced their aggressive behaviors after taking the course.
About 40 classrooms in the Seattle region will be participating by 2009, and other cities, such as Tucson, AZ and Jacksonville, NC are planning similar programs.
There are also some specific steps you can take to help him/her move constructively beyond homesickness:
Recognize your child's vulnerability. If he needs to talk, listen. No matter how you feel about the school or how much your own opinions may differ, it is crucial that your child knows that you hear and appreciate his concerns.
Give your child a sense of security. Establish a regular telephone "check-in" time and stick to it – even such a simple routine will go a long way towards helping your child build a sense of normalcy and security away from home. Likewise, be clear about when it is and is not acceptable for him to call – including the number of calls that are acceptable.
Encourage him to get involved. Ask about your child's extracurricular activities, clubs and sports, and actively encourage him to take part.
Help your child create a daily or weekly schedule that includes goals (such as accepting a social invitation or joining a club) and plans for how to use his free time (attending a sporting event or taking advantage of an organized recreational activity). Creating a daily plan will give your child a sense of security and give him the confidence to get involved in his new surroundings.
A controversial anti-bullying program used in Canada for over a decade is now being introduced in United States schools.
"Roots of Empathy" involves having students watch mothers and babies interact as a way of teaching them sensitivity to body language and other people's needs.
A study of the Canadian "Roots of Empathy" program showed email data aggressive behaviors decreased among children who were in classes with "empathy babies," and children who had formerly been bullies reduced their aggressive behaviors after taking the course.
About 40 classrooms in the Seattle region will be participating by 2009, and other cities, such as Tucson, AZ and Jacksonville, NC are planning similar programs.
There are also some specific steps you can take to help him/her move constructively beyond homesickness:
Recognize your child's vulnerability. If he needs to talk, listen. No matter how you feel about the school or how much your own opinions may differ, it is crucial that your child knows that you hear and appreciate his concerns.
Give your child a sense of security. Establish a regular telephone "check-in" time and stick to it – even such a simple routine will go a long way towards helping your child build a sense of normalcy and security away from home. Likewise, be clear about when it is and is not acceptable for him to call – including the number of calls that are acceptable.
Encourage him to get involved. Ask about your child's extracurricular activities, clubs and sports, and actively encourage him to take part.
Help your child create a daily or weekly schedule that includes goals (such as accepting a social invitation or joining a club) and plans for how to use his free time (attending a sporting event or taking advantage of an organized recreational activity). Creating a daily plan will give your child a sense of security and give him the confidence to get involved in his new surroundings.