Roots of Empathy

No. 25 — Roots of Empathy | founded 1996 | late-stage spread model | 1.2 million children reached in 14 countries (U.S. hub: Seattle)

Every month a parent brings their baby into an elementary classroom. With help from a trained instructor, students watch the baby’s moods—joy, frustration, curiosity—and talk about what those feelings mean. Over 27 short lessons the kids learn to name emotions, see things from another person’s view, and treat classmates with more care.

Decades of studies show this simple routine works: schools that run Roots of Empathy see less bullying and more kindness, and those changes last. Everything a district needs—lesson plans, instructor training, research proof—is already built. That’s why the program has spread from Canada to 13 other countries and is now active in classrooms in Washington, Oregon, Hawaiʻi, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.

Roots of Empathy isn’t just another social-emotional add-on; it’s a ready-to-go system that turns empathy into a daily habit. Bring the baby into more classrooms and you give the next generation a stronger baseline of understanding and respect—fuel for healthier schools and communities everywhere.