As the proverb goes, necessity is the mother of invention – and no truer phrase applies than to a mother suddenly in a pickle!
In a recent commonkind community session, our Founder, Carolina did not have anyone available to care for her youngest child. She always brings her eldest child and other families often bring pre-school age children along with older siblings but she had never brought BOTH children while leading a session.
Reframing a problem into an opportunity
Using a test and learn approach, she turned the problem (lack of childcare) into an opportunity and decided to run a commonkind community session aimed primarily at preschoolers.
While she still gave the customary education on the charities and causes, she modified the format for the younger audience by including two short stories to introduce the children to kindness before starting each activity. The children’s favourite story we read was “Kindness Makes Us Strong” by Brisbane-based author and illustrator Sophie Beer. You can find a review of this book and others we like to help teach kindness to preschoolers here.
Our smallest hearts still have lots to give
Our youngest community members showed that age was not a barrier and they had lots to offer in terms of giving back to our Charity Partners. They made beautiful Kind Cards for The Good Box and helped in a modified version of sorting markers for Stationery Aid.
About commonkind
We provide benevolent relief to people and communities suffering from poverty, disadvantage and distress by facilitating age-appropriate community service activities for children, families and other interested parties.
Get in touch!
Whether you are a charity with a task that might be suitable or you are interested in helping us create a kinder and more connected community, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us here.