Imagine a classroom where tiny coos and giggles are as much a part of the learning environment as Chrome Books and Google Sites. The Roots of Empathy program has brought this form of learning to Our Lady of Fatima School, transforming ordinary lessons into extraordinary life lessons.
Roots of Empathy is a unique, evidence-based program designed to help children and adults grow in empathy by interacting with babies. Yet, the program is more than just an educational initiative. It’s an emotional journey. It revolves around simple interactions with a baby, in this case – Baby Flora, the daughter of two OCSB educators.
With each visit, students witnessed Flora’s developmental milestones—her first attempts at crawling, the earliest signs of social interaction, and her infectious laughter. These moments sparked discussions about feelings, growth, and caring for each other. Lessons on empathy unfolded naturally, with students reflecting on their own emotions and learning to recognize and respect those of others.
Nine classes of students built a connection with Baby Flora, eagerly anticipating her arrival every three weeks. The students had a great time participating in follow-up activities that taught them about their own emotions and how to empathize with others.
Throughout the eight months, they had the opportunity to observe Baby Flora’s growth and development, which demonstrated how we learn and acquire new skills every day. The students were thrilled during the visit when they witnessed Flora’s new crawling abilities, resulting in many joyous shrieks.
It was wonderful to see the connections, lessons learned, and joy on the students’ faces when they witnessed Baby Flora reaching her developmental milestones.
