Abbotsford’s Tiniest Teachers

The classroom gets quiet, and then students call out, “Is Baby Charlotte coming today” or “Is Baby Milo coming to see us soon”. Two classrooms at Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw have spent the school year learning from two tiny teachers. Baby Charlotte first visited Ms. Brittney Wallace’s Grade 4/5 class in October 2022 at about 3 months old. Mrs. Jennifer Vallance’s Grade 5 class connected with Baby Milo at about the same time.

Students in both classes participated in the Roots of Empathy Program. Mary Gordon first developed this international program in Ontario, Canada. The program consists of 27 lessons; 9 of the lessons involve a visit from the class baby and caregiver. This year caregivers have included both moms, a dad and a grandpa. The intention of the program is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. Research regarding the program has shown a reduction in aggression, an increase in sharing, caring, and inclusion, and the development of resilience, well-being, and positive mental health for students that have participated in the program.

A family visit in Ms. Wallace’s class involves all the students sitting around a green blanket. Students stand up and begin singing “Hello Charlotte and how are you” until Charlotte and her caregiver have walked around the entire circle to connect with each student. Then the lesson begins with Charlotte guiding the conversation through her actions and sounds. The students observe what the baby does and how she responds to songs and toys, paying particular attention to the connection between caregiver and baby and her different responses based on temperament. Her Mom answers the many questions that students have, such as “What is she eating?”, “Can she talk yet?” or “Does she have a favourite show?”. To close the lesson, the students sing “Goodbye Charlotte; we hope to see you soon” while already anticipating what Charlotte will do at the next month’s visit.

In Mrs. Vallance’s classroom, the students begin the visit by welcoming Baby Milo with a song while he and his caregiver walk around the circle. Sometimes his Mom brings him, and sometimes he visits with his Grandpa.  On one visit, the topic is “Who Am I?” the students ask about how Milo got his name and what he prefers.  Students observe Milo eating a snack while his Mom explains the foods he prefers and those that aren’t his favourite. As one student commented, “It has been a year of learning for us and for our baby”.

For more information about Roots of Empathy, please visit Roots of Empathy or contact Leslie.Carter@abbyschools.ca

LESLIE CARTER, DISTRICT YCW FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING
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