Prep Your Kids for School
Back-to-school season is an exciting and busy time for mom as she gets organized, stocks up, and plans ahead. Start this year off right with everything you and your family need to know and have for heading back to school—brought to you by 
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Caring Kids
There are some important life lessons that kids won’t find in their school textbooks. But how do you teach the more intangible qualities like gratitude and empathy that will help them grow into kind and compassionate people? Here are some ideas for encouraging goodwill and consideration for others in your kids.
Walk the Walk
Remember that kids are sponges and will imitate what they see. So practice kindness daily. Whether you’re consoling a friend or checking in on an elderly neighbor, observing your interactions will teach them how to treat others.
Small Deeds
Praise positive attitudes and actions, such as sharing a favorite toy or showing sympathy by trying to soothe someone who’s sad. Given ample opportunities, kids will learn from experience about how their actions and words affect others, and what caring looks like.
Let Them Help
Involve them in something as simple as sending a get-well card, or rounding up clothes and toys to donate to charity.
From the Heart
Whether they love animals or like to draw, help your kids find ways to incorporate their own personal interests and talents into helping others. Make it fun.
Mango's Quest: The Story of a Home Lost and Found
A new children's book that introduces young people to the issue of homelessness and poverty, Mango’s Quest tells the heartwarming tale of a hamster’s search for a home. Mango’s Quest includes a vocabulary list, discussion questions, and activity book to help reinforce the valuable lessons. Share Mango’s Quest with your child’s teacher. To learn more about supporting educational programs for homeless children or to purchase a copy of Mango’s Quest, please visit the Institute for Children and Poverty online at icpny.org.
