School-aged children are at a starting-yet critical- point in their long term development. From emerging social/communication, to physical and academic growth, children are in constant need of support as they begin to explore and learn about their world. While parents are often viewed as the sole or primary caretakers of young ones, sometimes accessing the resources needed for a child’s full realization are not available to a family. That is why at CHANGE, we emphasize the notion that ‘a community can raise a child’ through support to both children and their parents to meet all needs of their families. Our programming under this ‘children’ umbrella divides these needs into 3 sections:
1– Interacting with others (Social and Emotional Growth);
2- Learning to Pick-up the Books (Academic); and
3– Getting and Staying Healthy and Safe (Health and Safety).
Look below to get a more in-depth understanding of the programming under these 3 sections.
1.1 INTERACTING WITH OTHERS
Being able to confidently and effectively socialize with others is an important indicator of positive mental health and community belonging. As children begin to venture out from home and into wider society, it is important for them to be equipped with the skills and comfort to reach out and try to understand others. Starting to work on social and emotional awareness at a young age will hopefully lead to more open-minded and accepting adults- all necessary for diverse and happy communities to thrive. Below are a list of proposed activities to help support the development of socially and emotionally conscious children:
A. Drop-in Center
Drop-in centers are spaces where young children, accompanied by their parents, are able to play, eat and socialize with other children. The space provides a number of resources, including professional childcare staff, toys/educational resources, and snacks, for children to explore. Drop-in centers promote not just children social interaction and well-being but also support parents through: (i) parent-child bond development (ii) parent social interaction as they meet other parents and (iii) resources to learn and observe how to parent.
B. Workshops – Building a Socially & Emotionally Healthy Environment
A series of workshops to explore the various social/emotional needs of children will be organized. These sessions will include ones exclusively for parents, exclusively for children and ones for both. Topics will include mental health, how to create a ‘safe’ social environment, bullying, and expressing emotions.
1.2 LEARNING TO PICK –UP THE BOOKS
Developing and expanding academic skillsets – particularly those related to reading, communication (written and otherwise), math and critical thinking – is strongly correlated with future employment, social determinants and, in turn, health. While the importance of academic education is commonly understood, associated outcomes are often realized much later in teen life. However, in order to perform well and reap the benefits of education, we must instil this love for learning and academic support at a young age.
A. Reading Together
Overall, reading and literacy rates in the U.S are low relative to other high-income countries – 1/3rd of American children and ½ of American children from low income households were illiterate by grade four.
As a result, this program aims to promote a reading culture by providing space, resources and education for parents and their children to read. A room divided into two parts – one for parents to read with children and another for children to work on literacy skills with a trained teacher-will be provided.
B. Homework Help
As the title suggests, this program will be offered after school for children to receive support on their homework or school-related academic material. This will provide space for children who may otherwise not be able to receive help with school material to do so in a safe space. A sense of community and reduced stigma will also be built as the children are surrounded by supportive teachers and other children who are also looking to benefit from additional educational support.
C. Mentorship
They will also receive the opportunity to have a mentor – an active youth member of the community who can relate to the child and will take the time to schedule activities & heart-to-hearts with their mentees. Each mentor will be assigned 2 to 3 mentees so that each child will not only have an older role model but a peer support system that they can turn to as well.
D. Educational Workshops
Like the previous section, this workshop would entail a series of sessions addressing different areas related to academic success. These workshops will be targeted to both parents and children.
1.3 GETTING AND STAYING HEALTHY
Ensuring that the full health and well-being of children is realized is our duty as parents, organizers, and leaders. With the increasing rates of childhood obesity, risk for poor mental health, environmental degradation and decreasing opportunities for physical activity, this generation may be the first one where adults outlive their children. Raising awareness on various health issues and providing spaces for children to ‘get and stay healthy’ would be an important contribution to the long-term well-being of our future generations.
A. Healthy Squad
Children interested in this program will be put together to learn about various health issues/factors-including lifestyle and nutrition- practice healthy living and develop programs to disseminate or promote healthy living in the community. This will allow children to not only educate themselves of what health means, it will also encourage community involvement at a young age.
B. Public Health Education for Parents
Since parents often control most of a child’s environment, it is important that they are aware of how these environments will influence health outcomes. Within the particular context of CHANGE’s catchment area, many families in our community are new to the the country and, as a result, face real challenges (in addition to the obvious cultural and language barriers) in providing a healthy environment. As such, weekly workshops led by experts that focus on various health issues will be organized for parents. At these sessions, parents will be encouraged to discuss challenges they may face or raise any questions or concerns related to their child’s health. Topics include: child safety, lead poisoning, nutrition and chronic disease risk.