This is a sponsored post on behalf of Channel One News. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Our 3 children's grade school does a fairly good job at helping their students to understand tragedies that have occurred due to natural and unnatural causes. Depending on their grade, students are given a general explanation of what has happened and are encouraged to ask questions. For certain types of devastating events, they even have counselors on-hand to speak to any children who need someone to listen.
The school community as a whole often does a school-wide fundraiser, such as collecting change. They often do this for events that really hit home with the students, such as the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the bombing at the Boston Marathon, a local event. It was amazing to see how each child contributing a handful of pocket change could raise thousands of dollars from our little school. This was an easy way for our children to feel like they were helping.
One of our obstacles as a parent is helping our children understand an event like Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, somewhere far away. Once we overcome that obstacle, that is when the feeling of wanting to help surfaces in our children. Our elementary school's art teacher created a project where all the students made little clay tree ornament houses. Families can buy these houses for $1 (or more if they wish) and all the money will be going to the Red Cross for those affected by the typhoon in the Philippines. What should parents do if there is not something already being organized in their community? Channel One News has shared a list of ways to help the Philippines. Whether your family would like to contribute to something that has already been organized or perhaps head up a new plan in your own community, this list is a great place to start.
Channel One News is an excellent source for news presented in a family-friendly way. Be sure to register if you have not already and then select "Parent" so that you can take a look around at their daily news and vast video news library. Then choose a few videos to watch along with your children. You will be amazed at what wonderful conversation starters these videos will be between you and your child.
