ML Interest Tag: homelessness

We Asked Kids What They’d Do as President & Their Answers Are Hilarious

by Erin Lem

President’s Day just might be the perfect opportunity to check in with your kiddos to find out what their first order of business would be if they were in charge. Take five today and ask your child to finish the sentence, “If I were the President I would…” We asked a few kiddos the question and the results are compassionate, heartwarming and also, hilarious. Scroll down to see their answers.

Miles (4): "I’d make less bad guys."

Huck (6):
-I'd find out if aliens exist so we could steal their technology.
-I'd make baseball season year-round.

Gigi (4): "Everyone has to wear dresses."

Goldie (2): "Baba?"

Olivia (7): "I would be a good president and it's a free country."

Amelie (6): "I would change laws that are unfair."

Cody (3): "I’d make people go for walks and drive all the cars."

Emerson (3): "I would make everyone eat chocolate ice cream for breakfast." 

For these five kids, their answers from 4 years ago changed quite a bit:

Nora (age 10): "I would give my job to somebody else."
Nora (now 13): "I would get rid of the electoral college so it's an actual democracy and make voting more accessible for everyone."

Patrick (age 8):"I would make the Army stronger so that people would stop doing bad things."
Patrick (now 11): "I would make Washington DC a state."

Joe (age 6): "I would lay there and eat chips."
Joe (now 10): "I would not be racist."

Henrik (5): “I would make sure there were no bullies. And have more shops and even more and more and more 'candyland' places and ice cream shops.”
Henrik (now 9): "Fart in the white house. Loud." 

Mozelle (7) told us: ”I would tell people what to do.”
Mozelle (now 11): “I’d get a nicer phone than you, and I’d give poor people money and food.” 

 

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Mckenzie (7): "I would make sure all the homeless people and pets have homes to live in."

Trey (5): ”I would make sure that people respected each other's feelings and that no one felt bad about themselves.”

”My 2nd grader would give everyone a football and make sure they had shoes. My 5-year-old would make people happy by sending them cards and free ice cream. My 2-year-old's response was "no." Just "no."”

One 10-year-old said: "End homelessness and factory farming." 

And her 7-year-old brother added: "Have a big dance party and pair people from different races as dance partners."

According to Blake (8), he would: "Give people money, help the orphanages, give everyone two weeks off at Christmas and make cars less expensive.”

Aiden (13): "End world hunger."

Zach (17):
#1 - "Mandatory Teeth Brushing"
#2 - "Zombie Preparedness"
#3 - "Fund Time Travel"
#4 - "Free Ponies for all Americans"

A happy kid, he may have been born in August. People born in August are very happy most of the time.
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Sophie (5): “I would make sure every kid had a house to live in.”

Riley(7): “I would build the entire country out of LEGOs.“

Molly: "I would say that there should be no more wars, ever.”

Jacob: "I would conquer the world.”

Nate (8) writes:
If I were president I would:
-Make no school.
-Let kids make the rules.
-Make everything free.
-Let dogs do whatever they want.
-Have a parade.

Ava (13): "I would eliminate the death penalty and remove any anti-LGBTQ and anti-Black laws or regulations so we can have a more equal society."

Tyler (10): said he would "Pass a bill that kids go to school MWF one week and TTH the following week and so on."

Mason (11): "I would address COVID."

Maddie (7): "I would demand that black people be treated fairly."

5-year-old twins Emme: "I would help people," and Ezra, "I would let everyone do their own thing."

Ever (1): "Elmo!"

Sloane (5):  “I would make people be kind.” 

Allie (6): “I would tell people about the American flag.“

Emmie (4): “I would make people eat lots of chicken."

Liam (2): "I would watch Pete’s Dragon.”

Wyatt (10): "I would find a way to evenly distribute money and food between the unlucky people and lucky people. I'd also expand the number of soup kitchens and give the homeless nicer clothes to help them stay warm and find a job. I'd help new businesses get on their feet when they have a good idea, but aren't known that much."

Tate (9): "I'd make a hotel that homeless people could go to for free and they'd be cared for there. I'd help foster children get adopted."

Toren (10): "Anything to save the environment."

Steiger (14): "Make electric cars cheaper and make a law that in 5 years all cars need to be electric."

Ben (8):
-I would make no school.
-I would invent a cool car that kids could drive.

Parker (6):
-I would let kids play their iPads whenever they want.
-I would make every day a birthday for everyone.

Jake (8): “I would help my sister, Lola get a toy she can’t reach."

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And finally, when one mom asked her son Watson (4) this question, this is how the conversation went: 
Me: What would you do if you were president?
Watson: Like right now?
Me: Yeah.
Watson: Am I gonna be president tomorrow?
Me: Um no. So what would you do if you were president?
Watson: Be good.

 

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How to Explain Homelessness & Poverty to Your Kids

By Joy Turner

Explaining tough topics to young children can be difficult and nerve-wracking for parents. But laying a foundation by asking the right types of questions and exhibiting the right forms of behavior will help them start to understand real-world issues at a developmentally appropriate level.

One tough topic near and dear to our hearts at Kiddie Academy is family homelessness. In the United States today, one child out of six lives in poverty, and families with children make up 35% of the people who experience homelessness. That’s why we’ve partnered with Family Promise, a national nonprofit organization that helps families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.

Homelessness is a big topic for little minds, but it’s an important one to teach children about. Here are some tips for talking to your children about family homelessness (and other tough topics):

  • Remember that young children will take things literally, so use their developmental age to guide the conversation.
  • Ask open-ended questions based on what they already know, so you can reaffirm or correct wrong messaging.
  • Use literature to help with starting the conversation (see book list below).
  • Limit exposure to inappropriate subject matter.
  • Keep in mind that young children will react based on parents’ reactions—reassure them.
  • Be honest. 
  • Parents know their children best, use your best judgment on how far and deep to go.

Another way to make the topic of family homelessness more understandable is to demonstrate to your child your family can help other families and participate in events that spread awareness like Night Without a Bed:

Supporting Night Without a Bed is easy. Your family can participate by sleeping anywhere but in your beds: in a tent, car or even on your own living room floor. You can post photos with the hashtags #NightWithoutABed and #KiddieAcademyFamilyPromise and promote them on your social media feeds to drive awareness.

This relatable experience allows the powerful topic of homelessness to be more easily understood by young children. 

Reading Recommendations:

Still a Family: A Story about Homelessness by Brenda Reeves Sturgis illustrated by Jo-Shin Lee recommended ages 4-9 

A Place to Stay: A Shelter Story by Erin Gunti illustrated by Estelí Meza, recommended ages 3-7

Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying Hwa Hu, recommended ages 5-9

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B Williams, recommended ages 4-8

Joy has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. As Vice President of Education at Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, she oversees all things curriculum, assessment, training and more. Joy earned a B.S. in Education from Salisbury University.

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Wheaties Announces LeBron James as Next Cover Athlete

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Wheaties announced today that LeBron James will be the next athlete to adorn the cover of the iconic orange box. James takes over the cover from Serena Williams, both of whom were named Associated Press Athletes of the Decade earlier this year. James will continue Wheaties’ 85 year-run of featuring sports champions on the collectible boxes. 

Wheaties - LeBron James

The box looks a little different this time. Alongside James is a collage of kids and families from the LeBron James Family Foundation’s transformational I PROMISE program in Akron, Ohio. The wraparound image includes students and staff from the I PROMISE School, the groundbreaking Akron Public School opened by James and the Foundation in 2018 that serves the district’s most at-risk students and their entire families. The school and the Foundation’s comprehensive programming have redefined the community of Akron and is a testament that James has never forgotten where he came from. No matter how much on court success he has had, his legacy is much bigger than basketball.

“We all know LeBron James for his record-breaking basketball career, but his achievements off the court truly set him apart,” said Taylor Gessell, brand experience manager for Wheaties. “From starting the LeBron James Family Foundation, to boldly speaking out on racial injustice, to launching the I PROMISE School – LeBron is a champion of change who is using his sports platform to better the world. We couldn’t be prouder to feature such a positive force of inspiration for the next generation of champions on Wheaties’ historic box.”

James grew up in Akron, Ohio, where he leaned on his family, friends and community to lift him up when times were tough. He was a standout high school player for St. Vincent-St. Mary before being drafted as the #1 overall pick. James has gone on to win three Championships, four league MVPs. He currently stands as the 3rd all-time points leader and he can now add Wheaties Champion to the list.

“Growing up where we come from, to see my I PROMISE kids and families from Akron, Ohio, represented on the iconic Wheaties box means everything,” said James. “The movement we’ve started in Akron is about doing our part to uplift our community by first listening and then responding with the resources they need. We will continue to do everything we can to create a better future for our kids and our community, and it starts with the students, teachers, and everyday champions you see on this box.”   

 In 2004, James, who proudly refers to himself as “just a kid from Akron,” started the LeBron James Family Foundation to give back to the same community that changed his life. LJFF started by organizing community events and in 2011, refocused its efforts on education. In 2018, LJFF opened the I PROMISE School, dedicated to giving Akron’s most challenged kids the resources and support they need to excel in school and beyond. With its Family Resource Center, the Foundation eliminates barriers families face with access to job support, legal aid, healthcare, GED classes, financial literacy programs, and an onsite food pantry. For those experiencing homelessness, the Foundation opened the I PROMISE Village to provide transitional housing. LJFF has also guaranteed tuition to The University of Akron or Kent State University for every eligible I PROMISE graduate. James and his Foundation have started a movement that is transforming the future for thousands of Akron families.

“Having our students, families and educators on the Wheaties box alongside LeBron is pretty powerful, and it illustrates that deep and meaningful work cannot be done alone,” said Michele Campbell, Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. “It takes an entire community to truly rally around those that need it most, and it takes a lot of passion and hard work. But it can be done, and we’re humbled to continue pushing the envelope on what’s possible for these families and all communities across the country.”

The limited-edition LeBron James and I PROMISE Wheaties box will be sold on www.Shop.Wheaties.com now and will roll out on store shelves in the U.S. in the next several weeks.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Wheaties

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Scholastic Celebrates 100 Years with a Brand New Platform for Parents & Educators

by Amber Guetebier

Kids are naturally curious and ask a lot of questions, but TBH we parents don’t always have the answers, especially when it comes to bigger questions. What is depression? What does “Black Lives Matter” mean? What is homelessness? Scholastic, your go-to publisher for kids books and book fairs, just turned 100 and to celebrate, they’ve debuted a virtual, topical bookshelf on Instagram aimed at helping parents and teachers answer those bigger questions: @scholasticbookshelf. Read on to check out their mission and see what it’s all about.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDp5PVeB-n0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Why do some kids have have two dads? What does ‘Black Lives Matter’ mean? What is depression? According to Scholastic, 61% of parents and teachers already using stories to broach tricky conversations with kids. And with 3 out of 4 millenial parents using social media to seek parenting advice, the Scholastic Bookshelf merges their 100 years of storytelling expertise with a platform that allows parents and educators access to 60+ scholastic stories to discuss topics including race, empathy, illness, abuse, depression, anxiety and more.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDm4CpOhiRU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Scholastic also addresses issues that are “bigger questions” to help expand educators and parents’ horizons or help them spark conversation, on topics including imagination, making friends, pets and more. Each post on the shelf includes several images with quotes and inspiration, as well as a list of what books these concepts can be found in. You can also shop the bookshelf directly to grow your home or school (or public) library.

Follow @scholasticbookshelfon Instagram to explore; then, find a topic to connect with a Scholastic book or classroom magazine excerpt. Next, swipe to explore questions, prompts and thought-starters, and #ReadOn to discover related stories on our shelves for kids of all ages.

 

—Amber Guetebier

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This Author Compiled the Ultimate List of Diverse Reads for Teens & Tweens

by Amber Guetebier

“Being a teenager is so easy,” said no one ever. The tween and teen years can be difficult, as kids face topics and social situations that can dramatically affect their outlook and self-esteem. As parents, we strive to help our kids be the best they can be, but it’s a brave new world out there and finding but positive outside influences to help kids cope and comprehend isn’t always easy either.

Enter Melissa Hart’s Better with Books: 500 Diverse Books to Ignite Empathy and Encourage Self-Acceptance in Tweens and Teens. This is not just a list of great titles every kid should read (although we do think every kid should read all of these, and every grown up for that matter). Hart has carefully read and evaluated hundreds of books—500 to be exact—and chosen them as recommended reading for tweens and teens, categorized by important topics modern kids face.

Chapter topics include homelessness, immigration, adoption, body image, race, gender identity, mental health and more. Each chapter includes a thoughtful, personal essay from the author on why this topic was important to her to address.

Inspired by her experience with eh own daughter, Hart says:

“I really owe this one to my daughter, now in sixth grade. In her early years of grammar school, she struggled with anxiety related to loss and neglect—issues common to children adopted from the foster care system, and, in many cases, from international adoption situations. […] My daughter and I found, in studying a literary novel each month over two years, that our compassion for marginalized people and animals increased. As exciting, my child—who had struggled with severe anxiety and depression—began to develop a great deal of empathy for herself.”

If you’re looking to diversify your books at home, school or your local library, Melissa Hart just gave you marching orders. It’s up to you to fulfill them.

Find it here $11.79

Learn more at melissahart.com

—Amber Guetebier

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New Muppet Karli Puts Foster Care in the Spotlight on “Sesame Street”

by Erica Loop

A new friend is coming to Sesame Street! The iconic children’s show is welcoming Karli, a Muppet in foster care, as part of its Sesame Street in Communities program.

Karli and her “for-now” parents Dalia and Clem, who are also old friends of Elmo’s dad, will make appearances in three new videos—On Your Team, You Belong and A Heart Can Grow. Along with the videos, Sesame Workshop will also release The Feeling Basket storybook, feelings-centered digital interactives and tips for foster parents.

Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop, said in a press release, “Fostering a child takes patience, resilience, and sacrifice, and we know that caring adults hold the power to buffer the effects of traumatic experiences on young children.”

Betancourt also added, “We want foster parents and providers to hear that what they do matters—they have the enormous job of building and rebuilding family structures and children’s sense of safety. By giving the adults in children’s lives the tools they need—with help from the Sesame Street Muppets—we can help both grownups and children feel seen and heard and give them a sense of hope for the future.”

Along with the introduction of Karli, and Sesame Workshop’s foster care initiative, the Sesame Street in Communities programs provides educators, child care providers and families with resources on tough topics such as trauma, grief, homelessness and much more.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of Sesame Workshop

 

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This 5-Year-Old Is on a Mission to Help the Homeless

by Erica Loop

Austin Perine is on a mission to help the homeless. Like a superhero, Perine is ready to swoop in and help displaced people—and pets too! Incredibly, this little superhero is only five years old.

The five-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama started thinking about the serious issue of homelessness a year ago—at the wise old age of four. After watching an orphaned red panda on TV, Perine asked his father what would happen to the animal. Perine’s dad, T.J., told The Washington Post, “He was fixated on the idea of homelessness and kept asking me questions.”

Along with answering his questions, the dad took his son to see what homelessness really means—first-hand. After seeing homeless people in his home town, the five-year-old donned a superhero cape (that a friend left behind on a play date) and started handing out food to people in need.

For months, the father and son took weekly trips into in-need areas to deliver food to the homeless population, with Austin saying, “Don’t forget to show love,” and “Pay it forward!” to everyone he served. Eventually the Perines’ efforts were noticed, scoring Austin the keys to the cities of Prichard and Mobile, Alabama.

Austin’s efforts have expanded, reaching homeless populations in over a dozen cities, thanks to the support of famous faces such as Steve Harvey, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. The five-year-old continues to wear his superhero cape proudly, helping to feed both people and pets through his Show Love campaign!

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: President Austin via Instagram

 

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How to Turn Your Kid into a Kindness Superhero (Yep, It’s a Thing)

By Jaclyn Lindsey & Melissa Burmester

Photo: Melissa Burmester

Did you know that the latest research shows that being kind increases happiness and well-being? Kindness can lead to increases in peer acceptance, and it’s a life-long skill that’s surprisingly easy to incorporate into your child’s routine.

Being a superhero is all about making the choice to use your powers for good when you see something you can change. When kids understand the power they have to make both themselves and others feel good, choosing kindness becomes so much more than just another rule to follow.

Play “I Spy Kindness”
Kindness is all around us if we start looking. Unexpected smiles. People helping strangers carry shopping bags. Someone who gives up their seat on the bus or train.

Make a game out of spotting acts of kindness, and before you know it, your child will be full of their own ideas to make a difference.

Save the (School) Day with a Kind Word
Words matter. What does your child have to say? Ask them to use their new powers of observation in the classroom to see if a friend, classmate, or teacher’s aide might enjoy a kind note—and if so, create one for them!

Your child’s note can be anything they want it to be, from a kind word on a piece of paper to a thank you to a teacher for their help.

Help Save the Planet by Picking Up Litter Together
Keep rubber gloves, trash bags and recycling bags in your car or travel bag and help your child take care of the earth—and make their world more beautiful.

Choose a corner, street, or playground that you as a family can help keep clean.

Demonstrate the Power of Small Acts for Big Problems
The next time your child asks a question about someone who is experiencing homelessness or about an issue on the news like immigration, do one small thing about it together as a family.

Help your child give gently used clothing to a shelter for families, make a donation, or volunteer together.

Add Gratitude to Your Evening Routine
Asking your child what they are grateful for can be an eye-opening (and profound) experience. Try asking your child before bedtime what made them happy that day.

Kindness.org Co-founder and Chief Strategist Melissa Burmester shares, “I’ve started doing this with my two-year-old and it’s become one of my favorite times of the day. Yesterday, she was grateful for sunshine, fig bars, and Grandma. The day before that it was puddles to jump in.”

Every act, no matter how small, makes a difference. (Cape optional.) Help your child engage their kindness superpowers today!

Jaclyn Lindsey & Melissa Burmester
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We're moms and co-founders of kindness.org, a nonprofit with a bold mission: building a better world through education, storytelling and scientific research, in schools, workplaces and in our digital lives—so that more people have the opportunity to choose kindness every day.

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Give Homeless Families a Memorable Celebration

by Amber Guetebier

There is nothing like celebrating your kid’s birthday—and as supermoms we sometimes spend months (and hours on pinterest) planning the special day. This year join Habitot Children’s Museum in making sure that the special birthday moment can happen for Bay Area kids who might otherwise not get to celebrate. Habitot’s birthday party campaign is raising money to give homeless children birthday parties and it’s easy to join the cause.

Did You Know?
One in 45 children experience homelessness and the stress affects kids deeply. They miss out on the best parts of being a kid, losing their sense of wonder and chance to just play. Since Habitot’s mission is to give kids a place to experience creativity and wonder, their commitment to giving kids back that joy is the goal of the birthday campaign.

The Low Down on Habitot’s Birthday Party Campaign
Make a donation today, and the money will go toward funding dozens of birthday parties for homeless children participating in Habitot’s homeless family program in 2014. Each party for the special boy or girl will include 2.5 hours of exclusive time in the Habitot Museum and up to 75 guests; a decorated party room with music, cake, goodie bags, and a special gift for the birthday child; supplies for the art-room; staff to help guide activities; transportation to the museum.

Habitot’s Birthday Party Campaign is setting its sights on raising $7,500. At the time of publication, Habitot had raised close to $5,000.

How to Do It
Simply click on the link here or below and donate any amount. In fact, there’s even a link to donate just $1.There are some bonus perks for donations, too. For example a $50 donation gets you an all day family fun pass; $100 gets you a date night; $1000 gets you an exclusive night at the museum. But hey, those are just perks and the real bonus is knowing that your money is going somewhere good, right?

Habitot’s campaign is running from now through Jan. 31, 2014 so donate now. It’s easy. Make a contribution and a difference in the lives of deserving children.

Click here to donate.

—Amber Guetebier

Photo credit: Habitot 

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