Meet Eloise, our youngest teacher. Eloise started her teaching career last year in Co. Wicklow. Unlike other new teachers, Eloise brought her mum Sharon with her. Eloise was just 4 months old when she became part of the Roots of Empathy family.
Posted on Thursday 07 September 2017 in Parenting
Meet Eloise, our youngest teacher! Eloise started her teaching career last year in Co. Wicklow. Unlike other new teachers, Eloise brought her mum Sharon with her. Eloise was just 4 months old when she became part of the Roots of Empathy family.
Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based programme that has shown a huge impact in reducing levels of aggression among school children by raising social and emotional competence and increasing empathy.
For the duration of the school year Eloise and Sharon would visit the Senior Infants class monthly.
On her first visit Eloise met a very excited boy named Cormac. Cormac came over to Eloise and introduced himself. Cormac has additional needs and this was the first time he had ever introduced himself. As Eloise grew bigger and started to crawl she remained attached to Cormac. One visit she crawled over to him and put her hand out to play with the sensory toy he was holding. The teachers supported him to give her his toy and Eloise happily took it and gave it back.
Sharon found that the experience not only gave her an opportunity for one on one time with Eloise it also opened a conversation up with her older daughters who were interested in the school visits.
Sharon wasn't expecting how deep the connection would be between them and the children who happily told stories about their day and home life. When Sharon returned to work the children were interested in who was looking after Eloise during the day now.It brings something out in the children to nurture - everyone wants to be part of it.
When the school year was coming to end the children wrote down and designed their hopes and wishes for Eloise.
Sharon has kept memory book for Eloise which she'll be able to show to Eloise to remind her of her time with Mam in the school and the huge impact she had on the class.
We're currently looking for volunteers to help transform classrooms across Ireland.
If you have a summer baby and are interested in being involved we are urgently looking for babies born between June and early September this year for the following areas:
Parents need to commit for a full school year with monthly visits to a classroom. Visits are facilitated by a trained instructor. If you or anyone you know might be interested in participating, please contact us at [email protected].
