How can we make the world better?Together, through increasing awareness and initiating action, we can make the world better. This socially conscious children's book includes an integrated discussion guide with vocabulary and facts. Perfect for school, community, or home, adults and teens can encourage children to pay attention to the world around them, ignite compassion, and inspire them to take action that initiates positive change.Together, We Can Make The World Better! - Recommended for ages 3 to 7
- Learn more at togetherwecanseries.com.
- Let's get social: #togetherwecanbook.
A note to the reader (excerpted from the book): The goal of this book is to increase awareness and initiate action.
Increasing social consciousness can decrease implicit bias (unconsciously-held set of associations about a social group). When more people hold fewer biases, and when more people serve those who have historically been marginalized, the world will be a better place!
To make a change, we must increase awareness and take action. One action is to talk! Each page has discussion questions to help you engage children in reflection and dialogue. Some pages share facts and definitions.
In the first part of the book, there are multiple dualities. The objective of the dualities is not to teach either/or thinking, but rather to introduce children to the concepts of:
- privilege (a special advantage or benefit not enjoyed by all),
- social consciousness (awareness of important social issues), and
- compassion (desire to help someone who's in distress).
The goal is to encourage children to pay attention to the world around them and begin to recognize unearned disparities. While reading and discussing, it is essential to not make negative assumptions, associations, or encourage blaming. For example, we can teach children:
- If a child experiences food insecurity (the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food), it isn't their fault.
- If a child always feels safe, they didn't do anything to deserve that more than someone else.
- A person experiencing a disability can still be strong, healthy, and capable.
- Someone can be sad and happy at the same time.
- A person's circumstances don't define them, and shouldn't limit them.
When discussing, it is useful to use people or person-first language (PFL). PFL puts a person before a diagnosis or circumstance, describing what a person has rather than asserting what a person is. Examples include a person experiencing homelessness or a student experiencing depression.
Remember, together, we can make the world better!About the AuthorDr. Meagan Pollock envisions a world where personal and social circumstances are not obstacles to achieving potential, and where kindness, inclusivity, and conservation prevail. An international speaker, teacher, engineer, and equity leader, her mission is to provide services, tools, and resources that inspire awareness and initiate action.
