Time Well Spent

The last eight weeks (this course and the end of the program combined) have been rich with insights, challenges, and plans for the future.



Three of the most important learning points that I will take with me on my continued journey are: the value of dissecting our plans and passions into manageable pieces; identifying a community of practice that can support and strengthen our individual work; and the value of appropriate leadership to further a program or cause.


While I still struggle greatly with some of the practical aspects of my goals (mostly the money bit), I know that having a strong knowledge base and ability to research, communicate, and advocate, will be important parts of meeting my goals. As will identifying others who are passionate about these same goals. This stretches my introverted self a bit, but strengthens me and my program as I benefit from the knowledge, experience and resources of those who started before me. And finally, I have a truer appreciation for the role of leadership. I have in the past shied away from this role, however, insights in this course have shown me that leadership is not defined exclusively by the leader, but by the needs and skills of the team. The leader must be responsive to these needs, and work in service of the program and it's people, rather than trying to make the program/team meet the needs of leadership.

I have a couple long term goals that I hope to continue working towards:

• The development of a children's discovery center/play cafe hybrid where children and families can connect meaningfully with each other and the environment to support the social and emotional development of all. 
• The development of an empathy based book series that is choose your own adventure style, encouraging children to practice making prosocial decisions, and developing empathy for others by introducing them to diverse populations and situations. 
• Connecting with local groups that serve children and families in diverse ways in order to strengthen the community of practice that is passionate about children, empathy, and whole child development. 

And finally, I would like to thank Dr Ernst and my peers who have thoughtfully shared their experiences, challenges, goals and passions this term. Without your support, guidance, and facilitation, I would not have a clearer vision of my future and the future of the EC field. Thank you. As an outsider (not a teacher) you all have taught me so much and I am grateful to you all.




I look forward to hear about how your journeys continue, and off my supports at any time. Please feel free to contact me at sarahjmaisey@gmail.com or on facebook at sarahmaisey@yahoo.com (Sarah Maisey).

International Organizations Supporting Social Emotional Development

International organizations that are leading the way in promoting empathy and social emotional development in children are Ashoka, Roots of Empathy, International Play Association, and the International Child Art Foundation.

Ashoka is an international group of changemakers and entrepreneurs who are focused on creating change through empathy. The groups partners with and supports groups and programs that are committed to positive change for societies through fostering empathy and social emotional skills.  The Start Empathy initiative focuses on “working with young people to make empathy a priority skill for all children”. In addition, they partner with empactico.org, and organization that connects classrooms globally to promote meaningful interactions between children of diverse cultures and communities.

Roots of Empathy is another international organization that recognizes the power of empathy. Roots of Empathy, and the children’s initiative, Seeds of Empathy, offers empathy based programs for children.The programs currently “help children develop empathy and emotional literacy in 11 countries”.

International Play Association is an “interdisciplinary non-governmental organization, providing an international forum and advocacy for the promotion of play opportunities”. The group is formed and based in Article 31 of The Convention of the Rights of the Child, which supports a child’s “right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child, and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts”. Through play children explore their world, relationships with others, and themselves: social emotional learning.

International Child Art Foundation aspires to grow “schoolchildren's imagination and empower them to democratize creativity and develop empathy universally for sustainable prosperity and lasting peace”. By connecting children from diverse communities through art, the foundation serves to unite children and communities through creativity, empathy, and inclusion.

For more information, follow the links below!

Ashoka: https://www.ashoka.org/en/focus/every-child-practicing-empathy

Roots of Empathy: http://rootsofempathy.org/ or http://rootsofempathy.org/seeds-of-empathy/

International Play Association: http://ipaworld.org/

International Child Art Foundation: https://www.icaf.org/