Welcome to the Best Practice in the Family Visit PD Workshop. This online self-reflective activity has been developed to highlight elements of best practice around the green blanket.

The Family Visit is the heart of the Roots of Empathy program and the Instructor guides the students in observing the baby’s development and labelling the baby’s feelings. In this experiential learning, the baby is the ‘Teacher’ and a catalyst to help the children identify and reflect on their own feelings and the feelings of others.

Instructors have shared that observing live Family Visit demonstrations or classroom videos are key learning opportunities, and reflecting on their own experiences in the classroom is an effective way to enhance their instruction and support their growth as Roots of Empathy Instructors.

The two documents below are provided for your review as you watch the Family Visit video, and the ‘Reflective Questions’ highlight some of the key elements to consider alongside your own experiences in delivering Family Visits.

We hope you enjoy watching this video.

Reflective Question #1

In this video, the Roots of Empathy Instructor is demonstrating best practice in the delivery of the Family Visit. Review the items on the Family Visit Updates and Reminders document and think about how these elements support and enhance the delivery of the Roots of Empathy curriculum, and the impact on the students in the program.

Reflective Question #2:

Observe how the Roots of Empathy Instructor in this video incorporated the elements of the Family Visit Checklist during the delivery of this Theme 6 Family Visit. Reflect on the importance of these elements in the Roots of Empathy program – are there any that are particularly challenging for you to bring into your Family Visits?

Reflective Question #3:

During the Family Visit, toys ( and songs) are used to engage the baby’s attention but more importantly, toys are tools to assist the Instructor in demonstrating elements of the Family Visit Checklist. How is the Instructor in this video highlighting infant development, neuroscience, temperament and attachment through the use of the Roots of Empathy toys?

Reflective Question #4:

After viewing this Theme 6 video, what stood out for you in observing this Family Visit? Reflecting on your Family Visits, how might you incorporate some of these elements of best practice in the delivery of your Roots of Empathy program?

If you have any questions or would like more information after watching this video, please contact your Mentor or the Senior Mentor in your region. Thank you.