As children, we pretend to be the heroes in our favorite books. If anything has universal appeal to kids, it\’s heroes. Who can forget heroes like Peter Pan, Robin Hood, or even Batman? And let\’s not forget our Sheros like Women Woman, Amelia Erhart, Katniss Everdeen and even Michelle Obama.

Why do we like heroes so much? Here are a few stand-outs that help us identify a character as a hero or shero.

Characteristics of a Hero or Shero:

• personal courage
• caring for others
• perseverance
• resourcefulness
• a belief in oneself
• optimism

I think the kid version of \”why do you like heroes\” would be more along the lines of \”because they are cool.\”

\”We all need a hero or two to help us stand fast and think right,\” says William J. Bennett, author of The Children\’s Book of Heroes. \”From Abraham Lincoln and Mother Teresa to warriors on the battlefield, real moms, and dads, and even young girls and boys need worthy and heroic figures all kids can look up to and emulate.\”

 

Heroes are something we need in everyday life. We need people to admire, look up to, and emulate.  Guru after guru states \”you need to be yourself. You need to be an original.\” But what if your original self is a little scruffy and could use some polish?

Author Jeff Goin on heroes (from his blog post Waiting to be Picked)

This is what we love about our favorite movie actors and athletes and rock gods. They don’t care about the system. They care about creating art or breaking rules or just being themselves. They are above reproach, have somehow transcended the need for acceptance.

Of course, we know this can’t be true. We have read enough biographies and seen enough interviews to know that our heroes are just as human and insecure as we are. They just do something different with their fear. They don’t let it debilitate them. They choose to create — and ship — anyway.

How about \”real life\” kid heroes?

Kids Are Heroes® is a non-profit that empowers, encourages and inspires children to become leaders through volunteerism and community involvement. They do this by showcasing and supporting children who are making a difference through their selfless acts of giving.

What is amazing to me is that is national non-profit entity was started by a kid! Thirteen-year-old MaryMargaret O\’Neill created Kids Are Heroes®. She wanted to showcase kids doing good through volunteerism and selfless acts of giving and encourage other kids in the world to do the same.

Kids Are Heroes provide a pathway toward leadership and compassion for all children. Heroes on this site may influence your kids as to which path to take.

Kids are indeed heroes and each one has the power to change the world.

For more information on Kids Area Heroes and how you can help, go HERE.