Roots of Empathy

Roots of Empathy reduces aggression/#bullying, increases sharing, caring & inclusion & promotes resilience, well-being & positive #mentalhealth. We’ve reached over 1M #children globally with our #school-based programs & we have research to prove impact! youtu.be/WSqP9Vef664

In classrooms around the world, educators are seeing what empathy in action can do — helping children build emotional understanding, connection, and resilience that extends far beyond the classroom. Empathy is necessary to build healthy relationships and resilience (Mehrabian, 2000; Jones et al., 2015). #RootsOfEmpathy #ResearchThursday

“Our heroes are often 3 ft tall.” — Mary Gordon At the recent @canadahelps event, Roots of Empathy Founder Mary Gordon shared moving stories of children demonstrating moral courage — standing up for others, showing kindness, and choosing empathy in moments that matter. These are the quiet acts that can change classrooms, communities, and lives. We were honoured to be part of the fireside chat about Empathy, Literacy and Growing a Generous Generation alongside Camesha Cox of The Reading Partnership and Duke Chang of CanadaHelps. Thank you to CanadaHelps for creating space for such an important conversation about raising children who care for one another and contribute to their communities.

💛 This Mother’s Day, we’re recognizing mothers’ care and empathy in shaping not only children, but the society they will grow into. At Roots of Empathy, a parent and baby help students develop emotional literacy and empathy – and it starts with witnessing the loving bond between a baby and their parent. 94% of participating parents say it gave them hope for the next generation. Honour a mother by supporting this work: canadahelps.org/en/dn/146075

Honour a mother. Help shape the world a child will grow into. At Roots of Empathy, a mother’s care and empathy reach a whole classroom. Give today 💛 canadahelps.org/en/dn/146075

Tag a mother who helped shape who you are—and tell us how. 💛 Because the care we receive as children stays with us. #MothersDay #Gratitude #Empathy

94% of volunteer parents say it gave them hope for the next generation. This Mother’s Day, invest in that hope. Honour a mother → canadahelps.org/en/dn/146075

Share your baby with a classroom. Shape a generation. If your baby will be 2-4 months old in October, become a Roots of Empathy volunteer parent 💚 For more information, visit: rootsofempathy.org/family/

What gives you hope for the next generation? We’ll start: 94% of our volunteer mothers and fathers say this experience does. If your baby will be 2-4 months in October, this could be your turn. Sign up today: rootsofempathy.org/roots-of-empat…

Mental health starts early. When children are given the space to recognize and express their emotions, those feelings become less overwhelming—and a more natural part of being human. Roots of Empathy Volunteer Parent and Olympian Heather Abdilla shares from her own experience that learning to talk about emotions can make a lasting difference. This Mental Health Week, we’re reminded that reducing stigma starts in childhood—with open conversations, understanding, and the courage to speak up. #RootsofEmpathy #MentalHealthWeek

Today and every day, let's spread love, kindness, and empathy around the world. Happy Global Love Day! 💖 #RootsofEmpathy #SpreadLove #GlobalLoveDay

Empathy is at the heart of what it means to be human— and it’s also at the centre of groundbreaking research around the world. We’re excited to share that Mary Gordon has been invited to give the keynote tomorrow for The Social Brain Lab, led by Valeria Gazzola and Christian Keysers, at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience. The Social Brain Lab is a research unit focused on understanding the neuroscience of social cognition — how our brains infer and respond to the feelings, sensations, and actions of others. Both Dr. Keysers and Dr. Gazzola spoke at Roots of Empathy’s Research Symposia — Dr. Keysers at our 2018 Research Symposium on the science behind empathy, and Dr. Gazzola in 2019 on how embodied simulation might help us care about others. This one-day online event brings together leading voices across disciplines to explore a powerful question: how do we understand empathy — from brain circuits to behaviour, philosophy, and AI? Mary will join an inspiring group of researchers, including Alex Mari, Zanna Clay, Dimana Atanassova, and Daryl Cameron.

Empathy isn't passive. It calls us to act. Dr. James Orbinski has seen what happens when the world fails to act with empathy — and what's possible when it does. A doctor, humanitarian, bestselling author, and founding Director of York University's Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, he is one of the most powerful voices on why empathy and action must go hand in hand. At Roots of Empathy, we're building that foundation early — because the children in our classrooms today are the citizens, leaders and parents of tomorrow. 🌱 Donate to Roots of Empathy today: rootsofempathy.org/donate-form/

This reflection from a Grade 3/4 teacher in #Winnipeg speaks to the heart of why empathy matters. At Roots of Empathy, children learn to recognize and regulate their emotions in a nurturing environment. When they feel calm and included, they’re more open to learning, and more able to connect with others. Classroom teachers often tell us their students feel more emotionally safe and ready to take on new ideas after participating in the program. Interested in bringing Roots of Empathy to your school? Learn more: rootsofempathy.org/school/

Happy #WorldBookDay! Every book opens a door—but the earliest ones open hearts. This World Book Day, we’re celebrating the power of both traditional literacy and emotional literacy—because learning to read and learning to relate go hand in hand. Faces of Tomorrow by Mary Gordon is a board book that babies love to kiss. It’s also a celebration of powerful parenting, with text in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Welsh, Norwegian, and Chinese. The perfect first book for your baby - get your copy today: rootsofempathy.org/bookstore/

Being a responsible citizen in adulthood starts in childhood. On #EarthDay, we’re reminded that empathy is a prerequisite for caring about our planet 🌍 In Roots of Empathy, children learn to care for themselves, for one another, for their communities, and for the world they live in. When we nurture empathy, we also grow responsibility, understanding, and a sense of belonging to something greater. Empathy starts small but echoes across the Earth.🌱 #RootsofEmpathy #EarthDay2026

Every child connects with the Roots of Empathy baby in their own way — and in doing so, they often learn something new about themselves. In this video, ROE Host Teacher Megan shares how the program supports students with social and emotional needs, helping them grow in confidence, empathy, and connection. 💚 #RootsofEmpathy #TestimonialTuesday

This #NationalVolunteerWeek, we’re celebrating those who make Roots of Empathy possible. Our Volunteer Instructors who guide each session with care and skill. Our Volunteer Families who share their baby’s first magical year with us. And our ‘Tiny Teachers’, who help children learn about emotions, connection, and empathy. Thank you for helping us change the world, child by child. We couldn’t do it without YOU! 💚 #ThankyouVolunteers #Gratitude #RootsofEmpathy #30YearsofEmpathy

Happy National High Five Day! 🙌🏼 Give a high five to someone today and spread some happy vibes. Let's celebrate the power of connection and unity through a simple gesture of high-fiving. #NationalHighFiveDay #RootsofEmpathy

Reason alone isn't enough. Neither is heart alone. 💚 Mary Gordon, Founder of Roots of Empathy, has built an entire movement on this truth — that real understanding only comes when we bring both together. For 30 years, in classrooms across three continents, we've been doing exactly that: nurturing minds and hearts of the next generation, child by child. 🌱 Read more about Mary’s work: rootsofempathy.org/mary-gordon/

From student to volunteer parent, Becca’s story reflects how early experiences can shape the way we understand one another. When children are given space to notice, feel, and reflect, their emotional literacy grows—and so does their sense of empathy and inclusion. These experiences don’t fade. They continue to influence how young people show up in their relationships, their communities, and their well-being for years to come. Were you a Roots of Empathy student? We’d love to hear what you remember 💚