Adults are having a tough time trying to navigate our world right now. This is uncharted territory for everyone, and we're all still figuring it out. As we all grapple with our feelings and making sense of this whirlwind moment in history, it's important to take a look at our kids.
Depending on how old your kids are, they have different levels of awareness of what's going on. It's hard to shield kids from what's happening. Yet we have to applaud our kids for tackling this situation they may not quite understand. Their lives have also been upended, and they're doing the best they can.
In the midst of the chaos, kids are finding ways of giving back. They are thinking of those less fortunate than themselves and doing what they can to help. The acts themselves may be small, but they say something major about their generation. We are raising kids who are compassionate and kind. They genuinely want to change the world, and the rest of us will all be better for it.
Little Girl Entertains Grandpa With Socially Distant Dance-Offs
Sherrie Neely shared some scenes from the sweet moments that have kept her family afloat. Sherrie's 81-year-old dad lives across the road from them, so her daughter, Kira, has been finding ways to stay connected while maintaining social distancing. Each day, Kira and her Papa have dance-offs on their respective sides of the streets.
Scout Gets Busy 3D-Printing Ear Guards For First Responders.
Heather Roney shared her son's solution to the ear pain endured by many first responders who are constantly wearing masks. Quinn 3D-printed ear guards to donate to local hospitals. He also shared his pattern for others with 3D printers to get to work.
Siblings Make the Most of Their Outdoor Time
Two Washington state siblings are trying to keep their community clean while enjoying limited time outdoors. Olive and Hazel McKenzie have been working to clean up a local beach. The kids think it's important to keep public spaces clean for those enjoying them while practicing social distancing.
Seattle Teen's Coronavirus Map Keeps the Public Informed
Avi Schiffmann may be only 17 years old, but the high school junior has made a major difference in keeping people up to date. Around Christmastime, he began making a map of confirmed cases in mainland China. As things have continued to evolve worldwide, so has Ari's site. It updates every minute with the latest information from reputable sources.
Teen Siblings Help Support Local Eateries and First Responders
Drew and Heather Paglia saw other efforts to use gift cards to eateries to help feed overworked first responders and decided to start a project of their own. The siblings created a GoFundMe campaign to purchase food and gift cards to local eateries. With the funds, they purchase food to deliver to first responders. Hospitals have even requested gift cards to give to patients who are being discharged so they can stay home and stay fed.
Teen Rallies Friends To Help Deliver Sanitation Kits to the Homeless
California has a tremendous homeless population. Shaivi Shah wanted to help those vulnerable citizens with low-cost "sanitation kits," complete with hand sanitizer, lotion, hand soap, and handmade reusable face masks. As of March 31, she and her honor society friends have delivered over 600 kits.
Shaivi is looking to expand the initiative to outside of California. She's raising money via GoFundMe.
Immunocompromised Teens Create a PSA for Their Peers
In Iowa, a group of teens who are at increased risk due to being immunocompromised wanted to get the message across. Many of their peers are carefree and don't feel their lives can be impacted. The teens worked together to create their own PSA emphasizing the importance of social distancing.
Kids Create Art To Cheer Up Lonely Patients
Dr. Giovanni Infusino's 6-year-old daughter, Sofia, came up with the idea to cheer up ICU patients with her artwork. She shared the idea with her classmates as a Lent project. It's a big help, not only for patients who can't receive visitors but also for hospital staff who are facing bleak realities day after day.
Teens Grocery Shop for the Elderly To Keep Them Safe
A group of Maryland teens started "Teens Helping Seniors." The organization helps provide no-contact grocery deliveries to senior citizens and other vulnerable people. Dhruv Pai got the idea after he offered to grocery shop for his grandparents, who were afraid to leave the house. So far, the group of five teens from three different schools has helped many members of the community.
Teens Make Masks for NICU Staff
Two sisters, 16-year-old Kahlan and 13-year-old Taylor, started making masks in mid-March. It's no small feat for the two young ladies, who have been putting in 10-hour days to help their community. They've already made enough masks the NICU staff at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, and they've only just begun.
High School Students Become Pen Pals to Special Needs Adults
Teens in Hilton Head Island High School's Project Unity traditionally meet with special needs adults from the Pockets Full of Sunshine organization on weekends as a way to give back to their community. They've stayed dedicated to those adults, even in times of social distancing. They are writing letters to them to make them feel a little less tense and isolated during this trying time.
Sisters Give Away Necessities for Those Who Need Them More
Two California siblings, 10-year-old Leah and 8-year-old Ella, saw how anxious people in stores were when they couldn't find necessities.
That gave them the idea to create "kindness tables." They set up the tables in front of their mom's home. The tables included toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, Tylenol, and some food items, all to give to those in need for free. The idea began to spread throughout their community, and more people are working to set up kindness tables.
Crafty Kids Make Their Own Face-Shield Prototypes To Donate
Seamus, Carly, and Ruairi McFadden are three Pennsylvania siblings who love a good craft project. When they learned of a personal protective equipment shortage at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, they set out to make their own. It took some tweaks and feedback, but now they've got their design down.
To make the shields, the kids laminate the clear back cover of three-ringed report folders, add a portion of pool noodle as the forehead cushion, and hold them in place with stretchy headbands. They went ahead to make over 200 in just a day and continue to make them for distribution to the first responders who need them most.
Kids Leave Messages of Support on the Sidewalk
Children from Florida's Abacoa neighborhood have decided to leave messages of positivity and support for people passing through. The kids started making art on the pavement with sidewalk chalk with uplifting messages. It's a sweet and special reminder of the spirit of community.
