Being included is important to everyone, no matter what their age or ability. Inclusion Matters. That’s why we created Teens for Social Inclusion, a volunteer mentor program that teaches children how to be buddies with friends of different abilities. The goal is to educate kids to see beyond differences and include everyone. Check out this video of our #T4SI in action: https://youtu.be/N5wKpSFAFZg
Children with disabilities are 60% more likely to be bullied than their non-disabled peers. So, it is vital that we teach our children empathy from an early age. Our education program, Together, We Are Able and family outreach program, My PlayClub provide opportunities for children of all abilities to buddy up and learn from each other. To learn more, visit inclusionmatters.org.
Take a little time at home to teach your kids about empathy:
- From Harvard’s Making Caring Common Project (5 tips for cultivating empathy): mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-families/5-tips-cultivating-empathy
- Children’s activities to foster connection and empathy (from PBS SoCal): pbssocal.org/education/at-home-learning/childrens-activities-foster-connection-empathy-home/ Helping children understand the experiences of others and how they can positively affect the world around them
- Ways to teach, highlight, and practice skills for empathy: https://www.thepathway2success.com/20-strategies-for-teaching-empathy/
Did you know that there are Teens for Social Inclusion Clubs at six Los Angeles schools? Started at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, #T4SI is at Bishop Alemany High School, Louisville High School, Crossroads High School, Crossroads Middle School, and Lincoln Middle School. If you are interested in volunteering or creating a club at your school, download the flyer here: Teens-for-Social-Inclusion-Info-Sheet.
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