Have you ever heard of an “Upstander”? It’s a special word for someone who sees something wrong and tries to make it right. Let’s learn about how being an Upstander can help make the world a better place!
An Upstander is a person who doesn’t just watch when something bad happens. Instead, they do something to help fix it. This is different from a bystander, who just watches and doesn’t do anything. Upstanders help fight against things like unfairness and bullying.
Being an Upstander means following three important steps: Listen, Act, and Unite. Let’s see what each of these means:
Listening is the first step. It means paying attention to what others are saying and feeling. When we listen, we learn about the problems people face and how they feel. This helps us understand how we can help.
After we listen and understand, it’s time to act! Acting means doing something to help. This could be speaking up when someone is being treated unfairly or helping out with projects that make things better for everyone. It’s about using our voices and actions to make a difference.
Unite means coming together with others. When we work together, we are stronger and can make a bigger impact. By joining forces, we can support each other and encourage more people to help out too.
Speaking up against things like racism and hate is very important. These things can hurt people and break apart communities. When we speak up, we help create a world where everyone is treated with kindness and respect.
The goal of being an Upstander is to make the world a better place for everyone. This means not only fixing problems now but also working towards a future where everyone is treated equally and fairly. Every little action we take helps make this big dream come true.
Being an Upstander is about more than just seeing when things are wrong. It’s about doing something to make them right. By listening, acting, and uniting, we can all help create a fairer and kinder world. Let’s all try to be Upstanders and work together to make the world a better place for everyone!
Upstander Role Play: Gather a few friends or family members and create a short play where you act out a situation where someone needs help. Decide who will be the Upstander and who will be the bystander. After the play, discuss how the Upstander helped and how it made everyone feel. Think about how you can be an Upstander in real life.
Listening Ears Craft: Make a pair of “Listening Ears” using paper plates or construction paper. Decorate them with colors and designs that make you happy. Wear your Listening Ears and practice listening carefully to a friend or family member as they tell you about their day. Talk about how listening helps you understand others better.
Community Helpers Collage: Create a collage using pictures from magazines or drawings of people who help in your community, like firefighters, teachers, or doctors. Add yourself to the collage as an Upstander. Discuss with your family how each person helps make the community a better place and how you can join in by being an Upstander.