Helping Children Become Agents of Social Change

I have helplessly watched the tragedy in Haiti on the news. A local school in my community has decided to hold a fundraiser with the goal of the proceeds being sent to the Canadian Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders.

In troubling times such as this I think it's so important to help children feel empowered and provide an outlet for their feelings of helplessness. I know that as a person living far from Haiti, I still felt as though I had done some immediate good when my family made a small donation to the Canadian Red Cross.

Using real-life moments can help children become agents of social change, as they learn how to help affect their lives and those around them. Younger children may not necessarily be aware of the specifics of what is happening, but may indirectly sense the stress their parents and those around them maybe be feeling in response to situations such as the earthquake in Haiti. Regardless of whether educators decide to engage older students in realtime discussions about world events, many children will be aware of what is happening in the world as they listen to their parents' conversations at home, and have instant access to the television and internet. Helping children deal with intense feelings of helplessness and grief is a huge task for parents and teachers - I have never hesitated as a teacher to ask for help from administration, support staff, and educational counsellors to help me in times such as this.

Please consider donating to the Canadian Red Cross at 1-800-418-1111 and Doctors Without Borders at 1-800-982-7903 to help those in Haiti who need it most right now. Thank you!