Roots of Empathy:
Mrs. Botrokoff’s Grade 2 Class is participating in the program again this year. This program fosters the development of empathy through discussion and activities in subjects including literature, math, music, art and science. Once a month, a baby and his/her mom, will join the Grade 2 Class. Under the facilitation of the Instructor, the students will watch the baby’s growth and development and predict what he/she will be able to do by the next visit. The students will measure, weigh and observe the many developmental milestones such as reaching for a toy, rolling over, sitting up, and perhaps crawling. The students will be learning child development in a very concrete way as it unfolds in front of them and as they share observations of ‘their’ baby at play. As we watch the baby’s development over the year we will also be learning about empathy through our observations.
Ms Sutherland’s Grade 6/7 is also participating in with a different baby. This will visit the classroom about once a month. The children are learning about understanding the feelings of others by watching the baby grow and develop throughout the school year.
The students in learn about different theme every week; such as ‘Emotions’. We all share the same feelings, and can help others who are feeling sad or mad. We can also help ourselves by telling others about our feelings.
