Super Hero Theme

Posted on August 11th, 2016 by Richard Paul

Many schools, libraries and churches have included or continue to have some kind of super hero theme as part of their curriculum or as part of their district wide positive behavior theme.

It is a great way to tie in with what kids like action packed movies, awesome comic books or fictional stories like Harry Potter or Grimm’s tales of good over powering evil.

Philip Zimbardo, the world-renowned psychologist says: Evil can be fostered by dehumanization, diffusion of responsibility, obedience to authority, unjust systems, group pressure, moral disengagement, and anonymity, to name a few.

But when we ask why people become heroic, research doesn’t yet have an answer. It could be that heroes have more compassion or empathy; maybe there’s a hero gene; maybe it’s because of their levels of oxytocin—research by neuroeconomist Paul Zak has shown that this “love hormone” in the brain increases the likelihood you’ll demonstrate altruism. We don’t know for sure.

But what we do know is positive actions like tutoring a younger student, spending time with the new kid in the school or the so called unpopular student or just listening to a lonely person is a great way to be a hero. Standing up and not agreeing with other students who may be talking unkindly about another student or teacher is a sign of a super hero.

As part of a hero program at schools there should be a mix of information about kindness, generosity, unselfishness, sacrifice and the meaning of unconditional giving.

Remind them that there are many kinds of heroes, people who come out of nowhere to help someone in need or someone who wants to give their times and talent for the good of all people or someone who shouts out: “YOU SHOULDN”T DO THAT!” when someone is being teased.

Deepak Chopra says, “When you serve others, you gain more in return. If you give good things, then good things will flow your way.”

How can we get our students and children to think like a super hero?

Explain to them:

Super Hero’s don’t make fun of other people

Super Hero’s don’t gossip, spread rumors or tell cruel stories about others

Super Hero’s unconditionally help others and speak up when someone is being bullied

Activity: On the story board have your students or child draw up a comic strip of the super hero they want to be. It can be a story or a series of pictures showing how they would unconditionally help, support or speak up against bullying behaviors.

If you would like to share your students or child’s pictures we would be happy to put them up on our blog for other students, parents and teachers to share with their classrooms.