Baby helps tackle bullying in Motherwell school

Nov 9 2011 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

Keir Hardie

IT seems it’s not only police officers who are getting younger nowadays – but classroom assistants too.

In a novel move babies are being employed as “tiny teachers” in classrooms in an attempt to reduce levels of bullying and aggression in schools, following the success of a pioneering Action for Children pilot programme across several North Lanarkshire primaries.

The innovative scheme was launched last week at Keir Hardie Primary School in Newarthill, which had also participated in the pilot programme.

Entitled “Roots of Empathy” it aims to encourages children to interact in a nurturing manner by bringing a real baby and its mum into the classroom over the course of a school year.

Last Wednesday mum Melissa Scott and baby Jayden were introduced to the school’s welcoming P4/5 class.

Head teacher Pauline Greer said: “The school was fortunate enough to participate in the programme’s pilot last year.

“It was really successful and I’m delighted that we’ve once again been chosen to take part this time.

“Melissa and baby Jayden will come along to the school once a month and the children will then observe the attentive, loving interaction between mother and child, teaching them to better understand their own feelings and the feelings of others.

“In addition, weekly sessions will be held with the pupils by Action for Children staff, who are trained in the methods of Roots of Empathy.

“It’s another aspect of our all-over programme to help the children become responsible citizens. After all they’re the parents of the future.”

Louise Warde-Hunter, strategic director of children’s services at Action for Children, explained: “By increasing levels of ‘emotional literacy’ in children at a young age, we can lay the foundation for safe and caring classrooms and, in the long-term, safe and caring societies.”

Roots of Empathy is endorsed by the World Health Organisation and the Dali Lama.

Independent evaluations of the programme carried out in Canada – where it originated and has been active for the longest period of time – revealed a significant increase in peer acceptance in 74 per cent of children and a decrease in aggression in 39 per cent.

Jane Liddell, head of education quality and support at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “The programme has been successful far beyond our expectations.

“It has been warmly endorsed by our schools as energising the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence, particularly within Health and Wellbeing, and enriching our own flagship policy, ‘Raising Achievement for All’.”

“The growing relationship between the baby and the class has motivated our children to engage enthusiastically with the learning, and has supported them to express their own emotions and grow in empathy, helping them to understand the effect of their own behaviour on others.

“We are delighted to be able to extend this opportunity across North Lanarkshire schools.”