Available training dates: Calgary - July 15, 16, & 17, 2024. Grande Prairie - July 24, 25, & 26, 2024. Edmonton - August 14, 15, & 16, 2024. With a 4th day of training done around Feb. 2025.   

What is Roots of Empathy? 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 children ages 5-13. Roots of Empathy is delivered internationally on three continents and in multiple languages. 

Roots of Empathy’s mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. 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. 

Since 2000, there have been many independent evaluations of the effectiveness of the Roots of Empathy program. Results have shown a significant decrease in aggression, including bullying, and an increase in pro-social behaviour (caring, sharing, including and helping) in Roots of Empathy classes compared to classes of children who have not participated in Roots of Empathy, and that these improvements in behaviour are maintained, or continue to improve, at least three years after program completion. 

What does the Roots of Empathy Program look like? The Roots of Empathy program curriculum is copyrighted and designed for four age ranges: Kindergarten (age 5), Primary (ages 6-8), Junior (ages 9-11) and Senior (ages 12-13). Our Traditional Program: At the heart of the program is a neighbourhood infant and parent who visit the Roots of Empathy class with the Roots of Empathy Instructor using a curriculum specialized to four age levels over the entire school year. 

The Roots of Empathy Instructor also delivers a class 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. The Roots of Empathy Curriculum consists of lessons which are divided into nine themes with three classes per theme: a pre-visit, a family visit and a post-visit 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 personal Mentor who develops a growth plan with the Instructor and supports and coaches the Instructor. Instructors will have regular communication with their Mentor through phone calls, video conferencing and emails and an in-person visit to the Instructor’s Roots of Empathy classroom.  

What is the role of the Roots of Empathy Instructor? Instructors set the tone in a Roots of Empathy classroom, creating a risk-free learning environment where children can share their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This begins by building respectful relationships with the participating family, classroom teacher and of course, the students. 

What are the responsibilities of the Roots of Empathy Instructor? 

• Exclusively using the Roots of Empathy Curriculum without introducing additional materials or concepts 
• Traditional Program: Delivering 27 classroom visits over the course of a school year (30-40 minutes per class) 
• Preparing lesson plans (30 – 60 minutes per lesson). Some lessons require additional time for photocopying, laminating, cutting and pasting materials or sending materials via email to the classroom teacher, and collecting artwork from students.

• Experience with children in a classroom setting/ages 5-13 
• Infant development/child development 
• Parenting education/support  
• Community development