Imagine if you didn't have electricity at home and your kids had to go out and sit under a street lamp on a deserted street, alone each night, in order to finish their homework. That's exactly what a lot of kids face in other parts of the world, though when we think of "energy poverty," we don't always think about such relatable examples of its effect.
That's why, as we turn our clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time this weekend, I love the idea of using it as an opportunity to talk to our kids about why having access to energy matters. And that's what the new Life Empowered campaign between ONE and Scholastic is all about.
Related: 5 simple tips to get kids involved in ending poverty
I'm really not one of those turn everything into a lesson for your kids moms. But the thing is, I'm pretty sure my kids think we have electricity at home for the sole purpose of keeping the iPad charged. And it's so important to me to raise my kids to understand our responsibility to help others who don't have the same access and resources we have. Energy poverty is a real, if under-discussed problem, and the worksheets you'll find on the website are a smart way to help teach your kids why this is an issue we need to care about in the world. You'll find basic statistics that kids will understand, more real world examples that bring the issue to life, and creative ideas for parents and teachers to help get American kids imagining a life experience that's different from their own. Don't expect any time-consuming projects or overwhelming DIY instructions at this site. It's mostly just conversation starters you could bring up in the car or at the dinner table. And I love that ONE and Scholastic handle the data in an age-appropriate way that could inspire kids to grow up thinking creatively about these challenges. Teaching kids empathy while they're young and believe they can do anything is a great combination. So here's to the next generation of global citizens. And to more daylight for all of us after a long winter. You can download the Life Empowered classroom lesson plans for grades 3-5 or 6-8, or a family take-home sheet on energy poverty at Scholastic.com.
