Tiny teachers foster empathy among elementary school students

They don't have teaching degrees. They speak an unknown language. They'll probably drool on you. But babiesmakeexcellent teachers, says one Regina instructor.

Babies aren't capable of passing judgement and that's why students are so receptive to learning from them, said Roots of Empathy instructor Jessica Graham.

"There's no judgement from an infant, so everybody's the same."

Through Roots of Empathy, Graham teaches Regina studentsabout the stages of infant growthand empathy and part of the course involves handing over instruction to a baby, with the help of their parent, of course.

"They are adorable and they're fantastic teachers," Graham said of the infants.

On Wednesday, three tiny teachers stared wide-eyed ateveryone who gathered in the Dr. George Ferguson gymnasium to say goodbye at the end of the program.

Students crowded around the infants in a circle andeagerly raised their hands to share what they liked about the program.

Many mentioned the fascination ofseeing a babyprogress from a tiny, helpless being that couldn't sit up to onewith purpose, zoomingaround on its hands and knees.

The students then performedarendition of "Octopus's Garden"for the babies before giving them each a gift. Graham handed out certificates to all participants.

The goal of the program is to reduce anger,aggression and bullying amongstudents while increasing knowledge on human maturation.

Learning to label feelings

Grahamvisits classrooms several times a year to teacha variety of topics like communication, safety,development and emotion recognition.

She gives an introduction to a topic in the first session, then a baby attends the next class so students can see the practical implications.

"We get to label feelings," she said. "Once the children are able to label the baby's feelingsthat moves onto being able to label their own and then others."

Lessons with a 'live learning tool'

One Regina teacher was hesitant about the program at first, but his doubt vanished whenhe saw the effect the interactions with a babyhad on his students.

• Mary Gordon and the Roots of Empathy

"The kids were very receptive and they were able to make lots of connections after the lessons with the live learning tool," said Grade7/8 teacherWinstonMontgrand.

The presence of a baby andparent helped studentsapply what they learned in the lectures with Graham.

"Regardless of gender, race, religion we all have to learn the needs and communication of a baby because it's not verbal," Montgrand said.

Learning opportunity for everyone

Parent Karen McIveralso felt "really lucky" to be a part of the program along with her son, Ansel.

She said it wasencouraging to see how excited students were about the program.

"They brightened up every time he came into the room."

McIverliked the concept of youthlearning from babies and vice versa, but it also helpedher "reflect more about the stage of growth and development" of her infant.

Funding concerns

The Roots of Empathy program began 21 years ago and is now used in 11 countries around the world. It hasbeen used with Grades 1, 2, 7 and 8 in Regina.

Despite its success, there's no guarantee Roots of Empathy will continue in the city next year.

"The program currently doesn't have long-term sustainability due to funding concerns," Graham said.

The program was able to take place for the past two years thanks toa community member who donated the operational and facilitation costs, Graham said.

Regina's Roots of Empathy is also in partnership with the Early Learning Centre, which is actively searching for funding for the program, she said.

Cheryl Jackson with Roots of Empathy Toronto said,"In other provinces, we are much larger and mostly funded by government, so it's a real testament to their commitment to the program that the Saskatchewan people are making it happen."