Roots of Empathy

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Roots of Empathy

Roots of Empathy was created by Mary Gordon in 1996 in Toronto, Canada. We are a not-for-profit charity. Donations welcome!

Since then, the evidence-based program for primary school children has grown to 11 countries, reaching more than one million children. Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom program that has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression - including bullying - among school children while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy.

08/24/2026

A little visit with a big impact 💚

Our Tiny Teachers and their families create learning experiences that help children explore emotions, empathy, and relationships in the classroom.

08/20/2026

Attention families in ? Will you have a baby aged 2-4 months in October?

Your family could make a lasting difference in the lives of children in your community!

Roots of Empathy is centred around your baby becoming the ‘Tiny Teacher’ in a classroom. Volunteer Parents bring their babies into a classroom, and guided by a Roots of Empathy Instructor, the children are encouraged to read your baby’s emotional cues and take your baby’s perspective, which can lead to the development of prosocial skills such as empathy and inclusion.

Contact: Tahmina Khatun at [email protected]

08/19/2026

On World Humanitarian Day, we recognize the importance of turning empathy into action.

As Dr. James Orbinski reminds us, “Action is extremely important and it’s central to any pursuit of empathy.”

Empathy helps us understand one another — and can inspire us to create meaningful change 💚

08/14/2026

Ottawa families, your baby could be a Tiny Teacher! 👶💚

Will you have a baby aged 2-4 months in October? Your family could make a lasting difference in the lives of children in your community!

Roots of Empathy is centred around your baby becoming the ‘Tiny Teacher’ in a classroom. Volunteer Parents bring their babies into a classroom, and guided by a Roots of Empathy Instructor, the children are encouraged to read your baby’s emotional cues and take your baby’s perspective, which can lead to the development of prosocial skills such as empathy and inclusion.

Could your baby be our next Tiny Teacher?

Contact: Allyson Watson, [email protected]

Learn more: rootsofempathy.org/family/

08/13/2026

For teachers, school staff and community professionals, Roots of Empathy offers an opportunity to do more than respond to challenges — it’s a chance to support children proactively, before challenges arise.

In this video, a Roots of Empathy Instructor shares how bringing the program to a Grade 1 classroom has made a meaningful difference in their work.

Could Roots of Empathy be the next step in your work with children? Learn more about becoming an Instructor 🌱 https://rootsofempathy.org/volunteer/

08/12/2026

Today, we’re celebrating young people and the empathy and care they bring to their communities. 💚

International Youth Day is a reminder that young people have an important voice in shaping a more caring and connected world.

Through Roots of Empathy, children learn to understand their own feelings, recognize the feelings of others and to feel with them, which build skills to navigate relationships with greater empathy. When young people are given the tools to understand one another, they can help create communities where everyone feels seen, heard and valued.

08/11/2026

Empathy is innate, but it only blooms through early nurturing relationships.

Help us keep nurturing empathic citizens, one classroom at a time. Donate today: https://rootsofempathy.org/donate-form/

08/10/2026

What does a school year of watching, listening, and connecting actually build in a child? 💚

Inside a Roots of Empathy classroom, that question gets answered one baby visit at a time.

Guided by a trained ROE Instructor, and joined each month by a parent and their baby, students learn to notice emotions — first in the baby, then in each other, and eventually in themselves. Bit by bit, that noticing becomes something bigger: real emotional understanding, and the empathy that grows from it 🌱

08/06/2026

Research spanning over two decades has shown that children who experience Roots of Empathy discover how to connect, understand others’ feelings, and build positive relationships.

Studies show these children are more likely to include, care for, and support their classmates—and less likely to engage in aggression or bullying.

We believe if children have empathy, they can change the world 🌱

Address

250 Dundas Street W, Suite 802
Toronto, ON
M5T2Z5

Telephone

+14169443001

Website

http://www.rootsofempathy.org/donate

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