Clonakilty boys get lessons in empathy from Baby Dave

Developing Empathy in School Children

Reporter Aideen Finnegan visited the boys of 2nd and 3rd class in Scoil na mBuachaillí in Clonakilty who are taking part 'Roots of Empathy'.

The Roots of Empathy is a unique programme which aims to develop their empathy.

Experts believe we are all born with an innate capacity to understand other people's perspective, but if it's not nurtured early it can diminish over time.

We help children develop 'perspective taking', which is that ability to see things from someone else's point of view. And that's ultimately, that's really what empathy is.

Baby Dave

At the heart of the Roots of Empathy programme is the community volunteer and their child. In this case it's Clonakilty resident Lisa Crowley and her son, Baby Dave.

Baby Dave and his mother Lisa Crowley

I think it's an excellent programme and it's a way for the boys to recognise their own feelings and the feelings of other people.

They visit the school every few weeks where resource teacher Elaine Connolly guides the pupils in identifying and labelling the baby's feelings, which in turn helps the children to discuss their own feelings.

I think it's going to help them not to be bullying other children in the future because they'll recognise that not everybody is the exact same.

The Canadian programme has been delivered in Ireland by children's charity Barnardo's since 2011. It's been found to reduce aggression and bullying. Click here for more information about how to take part.

You can listen back to the full podcast from reporter Aideen Finnegan below: