The Effects of "Roots of Empathy" Pilot Project in Japan : Learings from an Educational Program on Parenting for Building an Empathic Society

“移情之根2003”日本试点项目旨在为加拿大学校教育项目“移情之根”在日本的植入寻找事实证据。这个项目开始于2002年。第一年是执行的必要准备阶段。2003年4月，我们开始了四个班的试点讲座。同时，我们开始了实验组和对照组的调查和讲座的观察。12月结束实施，2004年3月完成了基于实施结果的研究。研究结果如下：统计分析表明，实验学生的婴儿发育知识和育儿知识有所增加。实验组可以维持或增加亲社会行为。控制组在移情和学习自我效能方面表现出下降。此外，许多参与者也对自己的感受和他人的感受有了更好的理解。这些教室在这个项目之后会有更好的气候。霸凌倾向得到抑制，班级向心力增强。所有的学生都认为这个项目很有趣。课堂老师对这个项目的评价是积极的。宝宝的家人评价说，参加这个项目对他们自己的养育方式产生了积极的影响。学生家长评价说参加这个项目有助于他们孩子的发展。我们需要修改日语课程。我们需要一个独特的特殊培训计划。考虑到日本人的情感表达、对人权的承认等。我们认识到日本和加拿大之间的合作问题，以及将这个项目推广到日本的组织问题。此外，我们认识到需要一个专业咨询小组。

The Roots of Empathy 2003 Japan Pilot Project was implemented for the purpose of finding factual evidence to implant Canadian school educational program "Root of Empathy" into Japan. This project started in 2002. The first year was the entailed preparation phase of the implementation. In April 2003, we started pilot lectures in four classes. At the same time we started survey of the experimental groups and controlled groups and observation of lectures. In December, the implementation was ended and the research based on the implementation results was completed in March 2004.Following is the results of the research;1. According to the statistic analysis, knowledge of infant development and that of parenting of the experimental students increased.2. The experimental group could maintain or increase their pro-social behavior. The controlled group showed a decline in empathy and self-efficacy to learning. Also many participants got better understanding of their feelings and feelings of others.3. Those classrooms could make better climate after this program. The tendency of bullying was restrained and the centripetal force of their class raised.4. All the students evaluated this program interesting.5. Classroom teachers evaluated this program positively.6. Baby's families commented that the participation of this program gave them positive effects for their own parenting.7. Parents of the students evaluated that the participation of this program contribute the development their children.8. We need modification of curriculum for Japanese.9. We need an unique and special training program. considering Japanese emotional expression, human rights recognition and so on.10. We recognized the issues of collaboration between Japan and Canada and the issues of the organization to promote this program into Japan. Also we recognized the needs for advisory group of professionals.