🧠 New Activity: Impact Makers + Time to get rid of smartphones?

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🖍️ ✂️ ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK

Impact Makers

Objective: Teach children how their actions, no matter how small, can make a positive impact on the world around them through simple tasks that show kindness, help others, and care for the planet.

Materials:

• A poster or large piece of paper for an "Impact Tracker"

• Stickers or markers to track each completed action

• Small recyclable items (plastic bottles, paper scraps, etc.) for an environmental challenge

• A timer (optional)

• Optional: A small plant or seeds for planting as part of the activity

Steps:

1. Introduction (5 minutes):

   • Affirmation Talk: Start by talking about the affirmation "I will make a positive impact on the world." Ask your child what they think it means to make a positive impact. Offer examples, like helping a neighbor, recycling, or simply being kind to others.

   • Explain that today, they will become "Impact Makers," where every small action they take can make the world a better place. They will complete a series of activities that show them how easy and powerful it is to make a positive difference.

2. Create an Impact Tracker (5 minutes):

   • On a large piece of paper or poster, create an "Impact Tracker" where your child can add stickers or marks each time they complete a task that makes a positive impact. Label the poster: "Ways I Made a Positive Impact!"

   • As they complete each activity, let them proudly add to the tracker.

3. Positive Impact Challenges (30-40 minutes):

   • Challenge 1: Clean-Up Hero (10 minutes)

     • Start by doing a mini clean-up project around the house or yard. Give your child a task, like collecting small pieces of trash or cleaning up toys in the house.

     • Explain that even cleaning up their space helps the environment and those around them by creating a cleaner and healthier world.

     • Once they finish, let them add a sticker or mark on their "Impact Tracker."

   • Challenge 2: Recycling Champions (10 minutes)

     • Take a few recyclable items (plastic bottles, paper scraps, etc.) and explain how recycling helps reduce waste. Challenge your child to sort the items into a recycling bin.

     • While they do it, talk about how this small act helps the planet by reducing waste and conserving resources.

     • Celebrate their action by adding to the Impact Tracker.

   • Challenge 3: A Kind Word Challenge (5 minutes)

     • Ask your child to think of three kind things to say to family members or a friend. This could be a compliment, saying "thank you," or offering to help with a task.

     • Encourage them to complete the challenge by delivering their kind words and watch how it brightens someone's day.

     • Afterward, add another mark to their Impact Tracker.

   • Challenge 4: Plant a Seed for the Future (10 minutes)

     • If you have seeds or a small plant, let your child plant something in a small pot or in your yard. Talk about how planting trees and plants is a great way to impact the environment by giving back to nature.

     • If planting isn’t possible, you can symbolically use this time to water an existing plant while discussing how plants help provide clean air and a healthy ecosystem.

     • Once they complete the task, add to the Impact Tracker.

4. Reflection Time (5-10 minutes):

   • Sit down together and talk about how each of their small actions made a difference. Ask questions like:

     • “How did it feel to clean up your space and help the environment?”

     • “How did people react to your kind words?”

     • “What do you think will happen with the plant you took care of?”

   • Emphasize that every action, no matter how small, contributes to making the world a better place.

5. Affirmation Wrap-Up (5 minutes):

   • Finish by repeating the affirmation together: "I will make a positive impact on the world."

   • Remind them that they have already made a positive impact today through their actions and encourage them to think about ways they can continue to do so every day, whether it’s through kindness, helping others, or taking care of the planet.

Why This Works:

• Concrete Actions for Change: The activity ties the affirmation to small, concrete actions, showing children that they don’t have to do big things to make a difference.

• Positive Reinforcement: The Impact Tracker visually reinforces the idea that every act contributes to making the world a better place.

• Building Empathy and Responsibility: By involving tasks that benefit the environment, others, and themselves, the activity helps children build a sense of responsibility and empathy.

This activity encourages children to actively live out the affirmation, "I will make a positive impact on the world," by showing them that their daily choices and actions can have a lasting, positive effect on the world around them.

BEFORE YOU GO

Other ways we can help:

• Follow our Charm Words Daily Affirmations for Kids podcast

• Purchase our first tracing affirmations journal

• Send us topics you want us to design activities for: [email protected]