Week 4
I can include others
Week 4
Connecting with Others
Every child deserves to feel seen, invited, and valued. This week, we trained our Inclusion Power — the ability to welcome others, even when they look, think, move, or communicate differently than we do.
We shared that the world is filled the world with all kinds of people. No two heroes are the same — we each carry something special. Imagine a world where everyone was exactly alike… even your favorite color would get boring! Our differences are what make the world bright, interesting, and beautiful.
book pick
As superhero good-deed-doers, Zee & Nina transform into Incredi-Wheels & Super Sidekick Sister (or“Triple S” for short) whenever a good deed needs doing. One day, while playing at the park, Zee & Nina hear their friend Zoey call for help. They spring into action, encouraging Zoey to become her own superhero as they work together to figure out who stole Zoey's book.
How to use my Including Powers
Thinking Powers
What do we have in common? How might they be feeling? What would help them feel welcome?
Word Powers
Using kind, open language — "Want to play with us?" "Come sit next to me."
Action Powers
Making space at a table, teaching a game, moving slower, listening patiently, adapting so everyone belongs.
When we see the whole child beyond the difference, connection becomes natural.
We looked at pictures of children who speak differently, move differently, or communicate in new ways, reinforcing that every child is more than a label. They have favorite foods, jokes, hobbies, strengths, feelings, and dreams — just like us.
Kids don't learn inclusion from instructions — they learn it from what we model. At home this week, try these practices:
- Speak respectfully about differences: "She uses a wheelchair, and she loves drawing animals!"
- Ask curious, warm questions: "What do you think he likes?" "How could we help her feel included?"
- See the person, not the difference: A diagnosis is one part — not the whole story.
Every child has a hero within. One powered by kindness, courage, responsibility, and resilience.
This “inner hero” isn’t something they have to earn or become; it’s already a part of who they are. Like the sun, it shines from within. It’s steady, strong, and always present. Sometimes clouds appear that make it hard to see the light. But the Hero Mindset helps children remember that even when their sky feels cloudy, their sun hasn’t gone anywhere. Their inner hero is still there, waiting to shine again.
Hartie is the lovable and powerful superhero of Heroville. A guide who helps children discover the hero within themselves, Hartie’s greatest superpower is helping kids uncover their own: kindness, courage, responsibility, and resilience. With his signature hero cape and golden shield, Hartie reminds children that they have everything they need to face everyday challenges with bravery and heart.
Inspired by the deer for which he’s named, Hartie embodies both strength and gentleness. He’s calm, steady, and always ready to help kids find their inner light—especially in moments that feel tough, scary, or uncertain. Hartie isn’t there to rescue; he’s there to remind each child that they are the hero of their own story.
No two heroes look the same, and no two journeys are alike. Every child experiences courage, kindness, and strength in their own way. For one, bravery might mean whispering “hi” to a new friend. For another, it could be trying a new food, speaking up in class, or sleeping in their own bed for the first time. The Hero Mindset teaches children that heroism isn’t about comparison—it’s about showing up for themselves, one small, brave step at a time. By honoring each child’s individuality, it empowers them to see that their story, their pace, and their kind of courage all matter.
The Hero Mindset helps children see that being a hero isn’t about doing big things. It’s about finding courage in everyday moments. When kids face an everyday challenge, it gives parents and children the language to help them reframe themselves as the hero of the situation, not the victim of it. Hartie’s Club teaches them how to use the tools they already have inside—their thinking powers, word powers, and action powers to navigate challenges and develop their powers of kindness and compassion, resilience and responsibility.
