In these ADD-riddled days of inattention and idleness, getting a group of 3-year-olds to focus their energy on a shared objective is about as easy as lion taming.
But somehow, one Missoula, Mont., teacher has not only inspired the kids in her pre-K classroom to focus, she’s given them a tangible way to spread human kindness on a daily basis.
She's also given them capes.
“The capes are very important,” Kristal Burns, the creator of Superheroes of Kindness and teacher at the Missoula Community School, told the Huffington Post. “Without the capes, I don’t think this would have worked.”
Kristal's mission began when she was introduced to Secret Agent L, the pseudonym of a Pittsburgh-based, 33-year-old administrative assistant named Laura Miller whose “anonymous acts of kindness” have spread nationwide. She immediately thought Miller’s message could have a profound effect on her class.
“My passion in education is using mindfulness to create a base of empathy and understanding,” Kristal said. “And, after meeting Laura Miller and seeing all the things she was doing, it seemed so perfect."
She tried to think of the best way to sell this idea to her kids, who range from 3 to 5 years old. “Well, they loved superheroes,” Kristal said. So, she thought, what if we created a group of superheroes whose powers were based around spreading kindness? Could it be that easy?
The kids loved the idea and so did their parents, who helped construct capes for their children to wear out on missions. The newly-crowned Superheroes of Kindness soon took to the streets, dispensing over 300 pounds of food to a local food bank. “It was a food drive run by three and four year olds,” Kristal laughed.
She and her students delivered goods to a senior center, landscaped local gardens, and passed off handmade, recycled flowers to random people on the street.
Immediately, Kristal said, the kids began to feel the impact they were having. "I remember one girl gave her flower to a stranger and then just started crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said, 'My heart just feels so good right now.'"
When Kristal asked the kids to pose for a photo after one Superheroes event, she asked them to say the classic, "Cheese.” But the kids weren’t having any of that. “Can we just say, 'Go Kindness,' please?” the kids asked.
“I was like…OK! Whatever you want," Kristal said, finding herself rather speechless.
Best of all, the Superheroes of Kindness philosophy has manifested itself in other ways. Kids hold the doors for each other, help classmates up when they fall and act nicer in the hallways.
“They’re getting out of their ego-centric selves a little bit, pointing out what other kids do good instead of just what they do good," Kristal said. "They’re taking care of each other, and they’re doing it without reminders from us."
Teachers from nearby Montana communities are also taking notice, e-mailing Kristal for advice on starting their own Superhero club. And more capes, for more students at Missoula Community School, are being made.
This summer, Kristal and the superheroes won’t put a stop to their outreach. They plan to work with Imagine Missoula, a non-profit dedicated to providing small acts of kindness and support within the local community.
"And then, next year," Kristal said, "we’re hoping to make Superheroes a school-wide thing."
Saving the world, one step at a time.
Follow the Superheroes of Kindness and their Missions of Good by clicking here.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.