A Special Note for our Parents
Dear Parents,
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I am excited to introduce the HERO Badge Program, an initiative designed to cultivate Heart, Empathy, Resilience, and Optimism in children and adolescents. Our goal is to empower our students with these core principles, setting them on a path to become heroes in their own lives.
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In our ever-evolving world, clouded at times by challenges and unhelpful mindsets, fostering the HERO mentality in your child can be truly transformative. By embracing Heart, Empathy, Resilience, and Optimism, they won't just enrich their own lives, but will also be equipped to strengthen the lives of those around them.
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The program comprises of various age-specific challenges that allow participants to progressively deepen their understanding, application, and sharing of these HERO principles:
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Awareness and Mindset: Here, they'll be introduced to the HERO elements, understanding the immense power behind the "Yes, I Can" attitude.
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Personal Empowerment: In this phase, they'll begin applying the HERO principles daily, recognizing any negative mental traps and learning to empower themselves beyond them.
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Community Courage: This final phase encourages them to use their HERO qualities to uplift and inspire others, fostering a sense of communal resilience and courage.
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Your child will undertake weekly challenges like the "Heart in Action Challenge," where they focus on self-care, and the "Empathy Builder Challenge," where they'll learn about caring for others. Through these engaging activities, they will start recognizing their strengths, embracing challenges, and contributing positively to their community.
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Here's how you can support your child in this transformative journey:
Engage with Them: Talk about their daily HERO activities. Share your insights and stories that resonate with the principles they're learning. This will not only help them grasp the concepts better but also solidify your bond.
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Model the HERO Qualities: Children learn a lot by observation. Show them what Heart, Empathy, Resilience, and Optimism look like in real life. Participate in challenges with them, and demonstrate how to turn obstacles into opportunities.
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Assist in Documentation: Each activity comes with a reflection or documentation component. Your child might need help organizing their thoughts or completing any documentation required for submission.
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Finally, at the culmination of their challenges, there will be a special badge presentation ceremony, where they'll receive their HERO Badge as a testament to their commitment, learning, and growth. All Badge submissions are to be submitted at the end of the month. Badges will be presented at the beginning of the following month.
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Thank you for partnering with us on this endeavour. With your support, we can instil in our students the spirit of a HERO – enabling them to lead with heart, empathize with others, face challenges resiliently, and remain optimistic in challenging situations.
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Warm regards,
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Coach Robert
Step into the Shoes of a HERO
Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Guess what, you can be one! Being a hero isn’t just about wearing a cape; it’s about having a big heart, understanding others, being strong during tough times, and seeing possibilities where others do not. With the HERO badge, we'll explore what it means to have Heart, Empathy, Resilience, and Optimism. Let's embark on this adventure and discover the superhero in you!
What is a HERO Badge?
HERO stands for Heart, Empathy, Resilience, and Optimism. Sounds inspiring, doesn't it? This badge is about bringing out the best in you and helping you shining bright. Think of it as unleashing your inner hero power!
Why Should I
be a HERO?
Being a HERO means having a big heart, understanding others' feelings, and staying strong and hopeful even when things are tough. By being a HERO, you bring joy and make the world brighter, just by being you! It's a special way to explore life's adventures. Why not discover the HERO inside you?
Badge Level 1
For our young adventurers aged 5 to 7, this is your special badge level:
Level 1 - For 5–7-year olds:
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Learn HERO elements and the "Yes, I Can" attitude.
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Use HERO in daily life and spot the "gremlin voice".
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Move from feeling unsure to feeling confident.
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Use HERO to help and inspire friends and others.
TASKS TO COMPLETE
Each week you will focus on one of the HERO qualities, Heart, Empathy, Resilience, and Optimism. Below, find a description of each quality and how to complete each weekly task to earn your HERO badge.
HEART IN ACTION
OBJECTIVE
Objective: To cultivate love for oneself through self-care activities. Discuss, plan, and engage in important self-care routines like saying positive affirmations.
DAY 1
Sit down with a parent or guardian to discuss the importance of self-care. Create a "Heart in Action: Self-Care Chart" that you will fill out during the week (see attached file).
Example Self-Care Activities for the Week:
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Eating a nutritious meal or snack
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Brushing your teeth in the morning and evening & washing your body and hair during bath time
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Saying a positive affirmation about yourself
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Spending quality time with family or friends
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Spending time outdoors
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Cuddle &/or Connection time
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Time alone
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Play non digital games or puzzles
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Artistic Expression (draw, paint etc.)
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Educational (read and/or learn)
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Other
​Discuss with your parent or guardian which two (or more, if you wish) activities from the example list you'll commit to for the week. The goal is to choose something you don't already do regularly.
Record your chosen activities on your "Heart in Action: Self-Care Chart".
DAY 2-7: HEALTH CARE ACTION
Every day, perform the two (or more) self-care activities you committed to. Parents, you can record the activities and any reflections their children have on the Self-Care Chart daily.
DAY 7: REFLECTION & SHARING
• Review your Self-Care Chart and think about how each activity made you feel. Parents can write down their child's reflections.
• Discuss your experiences and what you’ve learned with a parent, guardian, or coach.
• Share your self-care journey with a friend or family member, encouraging them to start their own self-care chart.
• To get credit for your "Heart in Action" activities, which contributes to the overall HERO badge, you must complete your chosen activities for a minimum of 5 days and have them recorded on your Self-Care Chart.
• At the end of the week, review your chart and experiences with a parent, guardian, or mentor.
NOTE TO PARENTS
Parents are encouraged to write down the reflections their children share, as this activity is designed for 5 -7-year-olds. This offers a way to engage with your child deeply while helping them build self-care habits that contribute to their overall well-being.
WEEK 2
EMPATHY IN ACTION
OBJECTIVE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
To understand the importance of caring for others. Discuss empathy and practice it by helping others or showing kindness to friends.
You are expected to perform your chosen activities at least once a day for an entire week. Choose one activity per day. You need to complete at least 2 activities that have * beside them. You are encouraged to perform these activities more than once for "extra credit". (Parents, please guide your child to select activities that will benefit them).
SHARE A TOY
Task: During playtime with friends or siblings, share your toys.
Reflection: How did it make you feel to share? How did the other person react?
HELP WITH HOUSEHOLD CHORES *
Task: Help your parents with a simple chore like setting the table, cleaning a room, or feeding a pet (Help with a new chore if you already have designated chores).
Documentation: Before and after photos are encouraged!
Reflection: How did it feel to be helpful?
GIVE COMPLIMENTS
Task: Give at least one genuine compliment a day.
Reflection: How did the person react? How did it make you feel to uplift someone else?
SEND A LETTER OR DRAWING *
Task: Create a get well soon card or a friendly note or drawing for someone.
Documentation: Take a picture of your creation.
Reflection: How do you think your card or note will make the person feel?
KIND WORDS JAR
Task: Create a jar with kind phrases and affirmations. Each day, pick one and say it to someone.
Reflection: How did it make you feel to say something kind? How did the other person react?
CONNECT WITH A GRANDPARENT OR ELDER *
Task: Spend time talking to an older family member or elder and telling them stories from your life and asking about stories from their life.
Reflection: What did you learn from your conversation? How did connecting impact you? How did it impact your respected elder?
INVITE SOMEONE TO PLAY
Task: If you see someone being left out, invite them to join your game or activity.
Reflection: How did the person react? How did it make you feel to include someone?
TALK ABOUT FEELINGS
Task: Ask a family member how they are feeling and listen attentively without interrupting. And ask them questions.
Reflection: How did it make you feel to listen? Did you learn something new about how someone else is feeling? What do you believe it was like for the other person to be listened to?
ACTIVITY DEBRIEF
After engaging in your chosen activities, discuss what you learned with your parents and write it down so you can report back to your coach. Documentation (like photos or written reflections) should be shared with your coach. This is a key part of earning your HERO badge, focusing on the "E" for Empathy.
WEEK 3
RESILIENCY IN ACTION
OBJECTIVE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
To instil the concept of resilience through overcoming small challenges. Discuss resilience and complete one of the small projects below:
You are expected to perform your chosen activities at least once a day for an entire week. Choose one activity per day. You need to complete at least 2 activities that have * beside them. You are encouraged to perform these activities more than once for "extra credit". (Parents, please guide your child to select activities that will benefit them).
USING YOUR 3 B'S: BACK TO BAMBOO
Description: Use your 3B's—Body, Breath, Brain—to bring yourself back to a state of being like bamboo: strong and flexible.
Task: When you're upset or feeling too high-energy or lethargic, apply your 3B's to regain balance (Note, parents can guide children through the 3B’s.)
Outcome: Talk with your parents about how using your 3B's helped you feel better.
SOCIAL SKILLS: THE GRACIOUS GAME PLAYER
Description: Learn the importance of being a good sport.
Task: Play a game with someone. Remember to be humble when winning and gracious when losing.
Outcome: Share with a parent or guardian what being a good sport taught you.
THE PUZZLE MASTER
Description: Engage in problem-solving.
Task: Solve a puzzle or a riddle game. Ask for hints if needed, but don't give up! (Parents, help choose a challenging activity).
Outcome: Discuss how it felt to work through a challenge without giving up.
COMMUNICATION: EXPRESS YOURSELF
Description: Understand that expressing feelings is a brave thing to do.
Task: Whenever you feel strong emotions, share them with someone you trust and try to tell them what caused them. (Parents, you may need to initiate this one!)
Outcome: Share with a parent or guardian how it felt to express your emotions openly.
SUPERHERO CHALLENGE
Description: Introduce the concept of fictional superheroes who face challenges and adversity.
Task: Have kids create their superhero characters and stories where they overcome obstacles.
Outcome: This encourages them to see themselves as resilient heroes.
THE TOWER OF RESILIENCE
Description: Children will build the tallest tower they can using lego or they can build a lego bridge.
Task: Deal with adversity and problem solve. Halfway through, introduce a "wind" or weight (gently blow on the tower or place weight on their bridge). When the tower falls, discuss how they can adapt and build it stronger next time.
Outcome: Encourage children to see that problem solving can help them create what they want.
INVITE SOMEONE TO PLAY
Task: If you see someone being left out, invite them to join your game or activity.
Reflection: How did the person react? How did it make you feel to include someone?
ACTIVITY DEBRIEF
After engaging in your chosen activities, discuss what you learned with your parents and write it down so you can report back to your coach. Documentation (like photos or written reflections) should be shared with your coach. This is a key part of earning your HERO badge, focusing on the "R" for Resilience.
WEEK 4
OPTIMISM IN ACTION
OBJECTIVE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
To introduce the power of positive thinking, believing that difficulties are temporary. Discuss and practice of seeing opportunity in obstacles.
You are expected to focus on at least 2 activities for the week. Choose one activity per day. Parents, help your child select at least two activities to focus on for the week. You can document their progress by taking pictures of their creations (Parents, please guide your child to select activities that will benefit them).
HAPPY/SAD HOUR GLASS
Objective: Teach children that feelings are temporary and will pass.
Materials Needed: Small toy hourglass or a kitchen timer, paper, markers.
Activity: When feeling sad or upset, flip the hour glass or set the timer for 2 minutes. During this time, draw or write what's bothering you. When the time is up, crumple the paper and toss it in the "Bye-Bye Bin."
Takeaway: The bad moment passed, just like the sand in the hourglass! Discuss the experience with your parent or guardian – what did you learn?
GOOD STUFF QUILT
Objective: Remind children that they have many talents and happy moments.
Materials Needed: Different coloured paper squares, markers, glue, large poster board (Aim for 8-16 squares).
Activity: Draw or write something you have achieved or something good in their life on each paper square. Glue the squares on a poster board to make a "Good Stuff Quilt."
Takeaway: Look at your quilt whenever you feel down to remember all the good things in your life and what you've accomplished or worked hard at. We call this “the gain” – looking at what you’ve gained!
CIRCLE CHART: IN MY CONTROL/OUT OF MY CONTROL
Objective: Teach children to distinguish between situations or factors that are within their control and those that are not, helping them understand that not everything is because of them, i.e., their fault.
Materials Needed: Two large circles made of paper or cardboard, markers, small Post-it notes or paper pieces, a glue stick or tape.
Activity: Label one circle "In My Control" and the other "Out of My Control."
Discuss various situations kids may find themselves in, like doing poorly on a test, being rained out on a day of a planned outdoor activity, or not being chosen for a team.
Ask the kids to write each situation or factor on a Post-it note or piece of paper (you can help).
Help your child sort the notes onto the appropriate circles (ensure you let them do the thinking with only the required guidance): what they can control and what they can't. For example, studying could go in "In My Control," while rain would go in "Out of My Control."
Takeaway: When things go wrong, look at your circles. This will help you understand what you can work on and what you shouldn't blame yourself for, or what would help you if you accepted it as “It is what it is”.
FAILURE IS A LIE DETECTOR
Objective: Teach kids that failure is limited, isolated, and external.
Materials Needed: Paper, markers, magnifying glass toy for fun (but not required).
Activity: Write down or draw a recent mistake. Next, be a "detective" and find clues that show this mistake is limited to one moment, isolated in one area, and external to you. (See notes at end to help parents guide through this activity)
Takeaway: Just like a detective, you found out that failure is not who you are but what you experience only if you stop trying!
HEROIC ACTION CAPES
Objective: Encourage kids to control their attitude and effort.
Materials Needed: Small fabric pieces, markers, string.
Activity: Create your own superhero cape. Write or draw words that represent a good attitude and hard work. When faced with a tough situation, wear your cape and take 'Heroic Action'. (Please see parent guide below)
Takeaway: You control your effort and attitude, just like a superhero controls their powers!
PARENT GUIDE
Parents, we have created a document to support you as your support your child in completing the optimism portion of their HERO badge. Please see the link below to download the guide.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the HERO Badge program, I've discovered that being a hero has super special qualities like Heart, Empathy, Resilience, and Optimism! It's not just about doing big things, but also caring for others and believing in myself. I teamed up with my pals for some cool activities, and we showed each other how to be kind and brave. Every day, I remember that I can be a little hero in my own way. I've also completed fun missions that taught me how wonderful it is to help and inspire. Being a hero turns challenges into adventures!
HERO BADGE COMPLETION DOC.
Parents, please download and assist your child in completing the HERO document that is required to be submitted to be considered for the HERO BADGE. Click the PDF document icon to download the form.