Babies star of ‘empathy’ program at OES
Monday, 06 February 2012 00:00
Baby Cienna wonders what all the fuss is about as Grade 6 students ham it up for a photo during a “Roots of Empathy” class at Oliver Elementary School. Cienna and her mom Tanja have been participating in the program since October of 2011. It teaches students about compassion and steers them away from bullying.
By Lyonel Doherty
Six-month-old Cienna doesn’t know it yet, but she’s responsible for preventing incidents of bullying in Oliver.
That’s because she’s the star of “Roots of Empathy (ROE),” a district-wide program that teaches students greater emotional understanding.
Cienna can’t help but fascinate Grade 6 students at Oliver Elementary School, where the program is taught by volunteer instructor Marieze Tarr.
“The kids have lots of questions, and they absolutely love the baby,” she said.
The program works by having mom bring in her baby and allow the students to interact with her and make observations. They discuss what makes the baby cry and how they can make things better.
According to program founder Mary Gordon, ROE raises the floor of compassion in the classroom that results in a decrease in bullying and aggression. She said it creates safe and caring schools where every child “feels empowered to challenge cruelty and to help a friend in trouble.”
Tarr, who’s been teaching ROE for seven years, said she has seen the benefits first-hand. For example, one Grade 1 student spoke out to another, saying she didn’t like it when her classmate did something to her that was undesirable.
“They (bullies) understand how their actions impact others,” Tarr said.
Another student confessed that he was scared about a horrible crime that someone had committed against others. After releasing all that fear and talking about it, the boy felt much better.
Tarr teaches students that it’s okay to experience anger, sadness and fear, noting it’s very important for boys to express their emotions.
“We use the baby as a vehicle for kids to talk about their own feelings, to talk about what makes us sad and how they feel better when they help a friend.”
Tarr said one boy in Grade 4 asked her straight up why they were learning about empathy and babies. So she explained it to him and he seemed eager to learn more.
Tarr said one girl drew a large poster with the word “neglect” on it, with an illustration of a broken heart. The question was why so many babies in this world aren’t loved. The ensuing discuss was “extremely powerful,” Tarr said.
The instructor believes that children need more than just academics in school; they need what is not talked about very much at home, and what is not shared very often with their parents.
During one ROE session in Karen Newson’s class, the students observed how easily frustrated Cienna became when she was placed on her stomach. When she was turned over on her back, she was immediately content.
Cienna enjoyed it when a male student played peek-a-boo with her. Then the whole class joined in on the “pat-a-cake” song.
Then the discussion turned to skaken baby syndrome.
“Why don’t we shake babies?” Tarr asked the group.
One student replied that it would cause bruising.
Not only does ROE go a long way to prevent bullying, it teaches the students the responsibilities of parenthood.
Karen Newson, vice-principal of Oliver Elementary School, said the program really shows students how little babies are so dependent to start with, and how quickly they grow and change.
“It reminds us how everyone develops at their own pace, and the importance of accepting each other for who we are.”
The following are comments made by her students in the program: Jared said when you see baby Cienna happy, it makes you feel happy. Sunny said it shows “what we were like as little kids, how and why we cried.”
Preet said everyone is different, while Vishal said the program shows how to cheer someone up if they are feeling bad.
Neha said ROE teaches about empathy and other people’s feelings.
Caitlin had this to say: “It’s kind of cool how it makes you realize that being a parent is more than cuddling with your baby . . . it’s choosing diapers, knowing when to do things, and taking care of it.”
Sahij said it’s amazing how mothers know what to give the baby when they cry.
For Andrew, the program is teaching him how to deal with bullies – to stand up to them or various ways to deal with them like walking away or ignore them.
Maxine said she’s learning how to plan for the future, while Harshbir said he has learned never to shake a baby – it can damage their brain.
Dakota said she likes seeing baby Cienna and her emotions and how she bonds with her mom.
Latest News
-
Editorial - RCMP response times queried It’s very difficult in these economic times to succeed in business, especially for new entrepreneurs. And being victimized by thieves only adds to the struggle. That’s why we sympathize with business...
-
Local volunteers given royal treatment by IH Kaye Marie Yuckin (left) and Lilian Burgess dig into the food during a volunteer appreciation luncheon hosted by Interior Health at the Oliver Community Centre on April 18. Lyonel Doherty photo ...
-
SOSS rebuild to start soon with funding Students Sierra Hammond (left) and Kiera Heinrichs are happy with the new SOSS rebuild plans, which include a new 397-seat theatre to replace the old Frank Venables Auditorium. Lyonel Doherty photo...
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4