List Ways a Teacher Can Help Children That Live in Poverty

According to the National Poverty Center, nearly one quarter of children younger than 18 in the United States live in poverty. If you are an educator who has a heart for the marginalized, you do not have to go to the streets and do charity work to tackle this epidemic; you can start right where you are, right with your students at school.

Poverty and Children

An imminent crisis, poverty victimizes families and children, making them prone to peer pressure, behavioral problems such as aggression, and emotional difficulties like low self-esteem and chronic stress. Oftentimes, children who come from impoverished backgrounds are unable to concentrate and give their best in school due to these contributing factors.

Starting Early

Learning about poverty and teaching your students about it at an early age is one way a teacher can help. You can start with reliable picture books that depict impoverished situations and how children are capable of overcoming those circumstances. Educating them at this stage will be vital and useful in years to come because when young, impoverished children are aware of what poverty is, there is a greater chance that they can grow up and break the cycle.

Educating and Helping

One big problem among impoverished children is that they don't have a balanced diet. To help your students learn about healthy eating habits, teach them about the food pyramid. Help them understand that because some people don't receive proper nutrition, they have a hard time reaching their full potential. If you want to take it a step further, organize a bake sale at your school and donate the proceeds to a food bank or organization that assists under-privileged children.

Must Remember

While conducting these activities, be sensitive to the feelings and feedback of your class. Being in a classroom setting that practices interactive learning should lessen a child's stress and if anything, should empower them and give them a voice. Remember that not everyone comes from the same cultural or economic background, so work with much kindness and patience and do not forget that you are always your student's living example.