Give Awards to Everyday Heroes

Jul 23, 201830 min activity

Help your child understand what a makes someone a hero, and encourage them to create awards for the heroes in their life.

We can all name famous heroes, but there are many (often unrecognized) everyday heroes around us, such as teachers, local firefighters, a grandparent or a sibling.

In the Arthur video Rocket Rat!, Mr. Ratburn transforms from everyday teacher into superhero extraordinaire, ready to fight aliens and save the school. While he may not really wear and cape and fly (or does he?), Mr. Ratburn is a real hero to his students because he helps them learn new skills, learn to work together and believe in themselves… every day.

Materials

Art and crafts supplies
Prize ribbons or stickers (optional)

Directions

Talk with your child about what makes someone a hero. Brainstorm a list of heroes you have read about in books or seen on TV or in movies. Then think about everyday heroes in your family or neighborhood. Ask: Is there someone we know who is a hero? What makes them a hero? Are they kind, helpful or brave? How can we tell them that we appreciate them?

Ask your child to create a hero award by drawing or writing about someone special in their life. Help younger children by writing to whom the award will be given and why.

Use arts and crafts supplies to decorate the award. You may want to attach a prize ribbon or special sticker to the award.

Ask if your child wants to give the award to this special everyday hero. How could you deliver it?

Explore Further

Children can be everyday heroes too! Ask your child to think about something heroic they may have done. Did they help a younger sibling safely cross the street, carry groceries for a grandparent or ask a new kid at school to play? Make an award to celebrate the young hero in your life.