Tag: Children

McGinn School is BETTER THAN THAT™

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McGinn SchoolToday we visited the McGinn School, in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where we presented two HERO assembly programs to their K-2 grade and 3-4th grade students.

The faculty and students of McGinn were so engrossed in our Hero videos that you could hear a pin drop in the room. They immediately began using the super hero strategies we taught during our program. At the end of our assembly, all stood up, in their best super hero pose, and cheered, “I will be a hero!”

After our first show, one second grader stepped out of his class line with an important message for his principal. He stopped and said, “Thank you SO much for bringing this assembly to our school.” The principal told us she has never had a student go out of his way to thank her for such a wonderful assembly. We are so honored that you loved our program!

McGinn SchoolAs we approach the end of the Week of Respect, we remind you that you can be a HERO to someone every day, not just during one week in October. We encourage you to stand up for others, to choose to do the right thing, and to be BETTER THAN THAT™ – better than poor choices, better than others who are not being heroic, and better than what’s not right.

BE A HERO! We believe in you and are counting on you to stand up and choose kindness!

If you would like to bring our Hero Assembly to your school, please contact leighann@wearthecapekids.com.

William – the boy who sees kindness unconditionally

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William, Cape Kid of the Month May 2019It is our pleasure to introduce William to you as our Cape Kid for the month of April. William is a 4th grader at Lafayette Avenue School in Chatham, New Jersey, where he spreads kindness daily.

At only 9 years old, William exemplifies what is means to be BETTER THAN THAT™ – he stands up for what is right at all times. If William witnesses another being unkind, he will ask the other person to change his behavior and model kindness, without hesitation. Treating everyone fairly and kindly is incredibly important to William.

William, Wear The Cape Kid of the Month May 2019When William notices that someone is upset, he goes out of his way to cheer up that person with a smile and big hug. “Perhaps the best thing about William is the hug he gives to all he sees. He has a hug so tight that you can literally feel the love he has in his heart for others.” Says mom, Janet.

Spreading kindness is a mission for William. He enjoys reminding others of the importance of Random Acts of Kindness by leaving them notes, with a positive message. Those messages are attached to a friendship bracelet that he makes with love. Writing kindness poems and sharing with others is also a joy for William. One of his goals is to write a “kindness book” when he is older.

William is Autistic. During the month of April, which is National Autism Awareness Month, William and his family chose to “Light it Up Blue” to raise awareness for his disability. He also visited his Aunt Amy’s classroom, where he read the book I See Things Differently: A First Look at Autism to fourth and fifth graders in order to educate them about what life can be like for a child who is on the Autism Spectrum. William was not only very comfortable reading to groups of children he had never met before, but he read with such expression and confidence that he soon earned high praise from the students. William graciously and honestly answered all of their questions. The students left the classroom feeling more educated and better prepared, should they encounter someone who “sees things differently.”

In response to his visit, Aunt Amy replied, “This little boy with a big heart can be the example for many adults who need to remember to be kind to all and accept others as they are,”

Although Autism may cause William to see things differently than others, one thing he sees unconditionally is kindness. Thank you, William, for spreading kindness and making a difference in the world! We are very proud of you.

Developing Gratitude In Your Children

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Developing Gratitude In Your ChildrenThanksgiving is a time when we often count our blessings. We encourage our children to list what they are most grateful to have.  On Thanksgiving Day, many families go around the dinner table to state something for which they are thankful.  It is a beautiful tradition, which too often starts and ends at the Thanksgiving Table.

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” —Robert Brault

Although feeling thankful is a natural emotion, gratitude is a skill that needs to be developed through repetition, modeling, and positive reinforcement.  We must ask ourselves, “Are we appropriately teaching our children how to be grateful and are we modeling gratitude in our daily life?”

In the world we live in today, more than ever, our children need to develop their sense of gratitude. When one is grateful for the blessings in his life, he feels a sense of fulfillment and purpose.  With gratitude for the “small things” our children can grow up appreciating all that is given to them. In turn, they will want to give to others, as well.

“Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.” States Amy Morin, in her article for Psychology Today: 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude.

Below we have listed several strategies for you to consider for helping develop true gratitude in your child and teen:

  1. Say “Thank you” – this is the first step to teaching children to be grateful.  Give your child several opportunities to say, “Thank you” daily.
  2. Give Reminders – Often our children are used to us doing daily, mundane tasks for them, that they forget to be grateful- Remind them to be grateful by allowing them to see what would happen (or not happen) if you did not do these tasks. For example: if you don’t make their lunch for school, they would be hungry.
  3. Be Hands on – Give your children the hands on experience they need to develop gratitude. Let them help you with age appropriate chores, such as raking the leaves, washing the dishes, doing laundry, or vacuuming. This will allow them to better understand the work you do FOR them, helping to build gratitude.
  4. Be a positive role model- When your child wishes for something a friend has, whether it be materialistic or otherwise, remind your child of what he/she has at home.  For example, should your child say, “ I want the new video game that my friend has.” You can reply, “That sounds like a great game.  You have a lot of games that you barely play anymore.  Let’s go find one that you used to love playing, and play it together.  Lots of children do not have any video games. Would you like to donate one of yours to someone less fortunate?”
  5. Play “Best/Worst”-Each day I ask my children to identify their best and worst parts of their day. I try to remind them that their best parts almost always outweigh their worst parts, and to be grateful for the blessings in their day. 

Wishing you and your loved ones as a blessed holiday season.

With Gratitude,

Leigh Ann Errico