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In 2017, KNB Learning™ started the Little Hero of the Year Award in response to what we have witnessed and experienced over many years of teaching children through our school programs, in our special event programs, and at the KNB Learning Centre in Oakville: namely, that there are a lot of kids who deal with a lot of difficult and challenging issues and problems in their daily lives.
KNB wanted to recognize these kids’ strength in overcoming whatever challenges they are facing, and give them a special moment where they can see what we see – that these kids are heroes, just for living their lives, courageously and with a good spirit, and that they inspire those around them every day.
This started out as a small project. It was initially inspired by Anne, the daughter of KNB Learning’s founder, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is a life-sentence. Yet, from the beginning, Anne has been the very definition of a hero in how positively she has taken on her fight against this disease. Her life depends on multiple daily injections of insulin, on counting the carbohydrates in every single bite of food she puts in her mouth, and on pricking her fingers with needles to test her blood sugar levels, sometimes as many as 12 times a day – and that is just a small part of her daily routine. Through all of this, however, Anne has maintained her naturally positive disposition, and she has not let it slow her down. She is a Scout, she volunteers as a Junior Leader with her local Beavers and Cubs troops, she sings and plays piano, babysits, and is a budding artist and writer. She has given a presentation to several local Lions Clubs, who supported her fundraising efforts for a special Type 1 Diabetes summer camp, both in thanks and to raise awareness and understanding of the disease. She has started a blog, called That Stupid Pancreas! to help others navigate the many facets of Type 1.
Anne wanted to bring recognition to kids who had difficulties in their lives, who had to fight battles of their own, and help them see that others are inspired by them – that they are heroes. Thus, inspired by Anne, KNB Learning™ started the Little Hero of the Year Award.
When a child is chosen as the award recipient, they receive a LEGO® gift, a certificate, and a LEGO® Creative Building Workshop for their class, hosted by KNB Learning™. The first two items are a personal recognition for the award recipient. The LEGO® Workshop is provided for the child’s class for two reasons – firstly, to give the child a wonderful shared experience of fun with their friends and classmates – a special moment that they can all remember. Secondly, it is done to recognize that every hero is surrounded by people who support them, care for them, and who help them in so many ways with their daily struggles. Their support is very important, and therefore, they are also rewarded. The LEGO® Creative Building Workshop brings several thousand LEGO® bricks, special elements, building plates, vehicle elements, and minifigures to the child’s school. Trained LEGO® Specialists guide the class through themed creative play, and engage them in building challenges throughout the course of the event.
When the landscape of your existence is filled with difficulties – whether they are physical or emotional difficulties – living each day can become a burden. Yet, the simple act of saying “We see that you are struggling, and we think you are so brave!” can lighten that burden so much! By recognizing people for their successes, we make their lives better. By defining people for their heroic approach to life, rather than by their challenges, we give them renewed strength to continue their fight. This award gives children the validation that they inspire others just by being themselves, and it encourages and rewards those around the child for being aware and supportive of the ongoing challenges the child faces, in the hopes that they will continue to surround the child in love and friendship.
KNB’S HERO OF THE MONTH AWARD
Children can be nominated by others, or can self-nominate. The “contest” is not limited to schools. Kids throughout the west end of the GTA, from Etobicoke to Oakville, can apply directly to KNB, through email ([email protected]), with the subject “Hero Story”, or Facebook (@kidsnbricks) #herostory. To enter, one must submit the story of the hero they are nominating, the name of the child's school and to which Board of Education it belongs, and contact information so that the Awards Team can follow up.
Beginning in 2018, KNB Learning™ has changed the award slightly. Instead of a Hero of the Year, we are sponsoring a Hero of the Month Award. All elements of the award are the same, except for the slight name change and the timing. In the many applications we have received, we have seen so many stories that call out to be heard. We realized that recognizing one hero for the year is not enough, so we now choose one hero each month. Children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 can be nominated. There is a limit of one nomination per child each month.
TO NOMINATE A CHILD, email [email protected] with the following information:
Children who are chosen as heroes will be contacted (via their parents), and their story and picture will be posted on our Facebook page, and our monthly newsletter. The child will receive a certificate, a LEGO gift, and a Creative Building Workshop for their class.
