Heart Box DIY by Superpower Academy: Instructions and Printables

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Superpower Academy

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Social Emotional Learning + STEM for Kids A Kindness Project: Creating a Heart Box

A KINDNESS PROJECT: HEART BOX

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Introduction Did you know that kindness is a very difficult skill to learn? It can take a lifetime of practice, but is worth learning. Not only is kindness a key skill for effective leadership, it is also extremely useful to cheer us up when we are feeling down.

Background In the Harvard Business Review Article, “What Makes a Leader”, Daniel Goleman discusses the importance of emotional intelligence. According to Goleman, there are 5 main components of emotional intelligence: Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Empathy and Social skills.

Kindness spans all five of these competencies and is a perfect way to strengthen core social and emotional skills. Kindness requires us to take the feelings of others into account when acting or making decisions. It also requires us to be self-aware and exercise selfregulation, as kindness requires management of our own emotions in order to make space for the thoughts and feelings of others. Finally, kindness is key to strong social skills. By engaging in positive interactions with others, we build trust, which is a foundational element of social relationships.

Not only is kindness critical to leadership, it can also improve our mood. Research shows that exercising kindness and helping others is an effective way to cheer up when we are feeling down.

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A Kindness Project: A Heart Box (ages 5-99) There are many ways to show kindness. We can help a parent cook or clean, a neighbor bring in trash cans, or simply share kind words with a friend. To practice kindness, we will build a Heart Box. First, we will first create a beautiful box, and then we will fill it with warm wishes, kind words and even a small gift.

This project was inspired by our friend Sami, who created a Heart Box for her mom while she was going through cancer treatment. We love this project because it is a way for children to make a difference. Children often feel helpless in difficult situations and think, “What can I do?

I’m only a kid.” The reality is, children are in control of many heart-strings and can often make the greatest impact through their simple gestures.

What You Need Supplies Five (5) sheets of high-quality printer paper (e.g. laser paper) Scissors Glue Pens & Pencils Optional: Scrap paper, washi tape and/or other art supplies Printable PDFs (see attachments) Sheet A (Main Box) Sheet B (Main Box Insert) Sheet C (Main Box Top) Sheet D (Gift Box) Sheet E (Gift Box Top)

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Steps 1. Cut out the Main Box from Sheet A. Fold up squares so they become the four sides of a box and crease the hearts down the center so they fold inwards.

2. Cut out the Main Box Insert from Sheet B. Fold up the flaps so they become the four sides of a box.

3. Cut out the Main Box Top from Sheet C and cut along the dotted lines. Fold to create creases along the solid lines. Apply glue where it says “fold flap in & apply glue.” Fold white squares in to assemble lid.

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4. Cut out the Gift Box from Sheet D. Cut along the dotted lines. Fold to create creases along the solid lines. Apply glue where is says “fold flap in & apply glue.” Fold white squares in to assemble gift box.

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5. Cut out the Gift Box Top from Sheet E. Cut along the dotted lines. Just like in Step 3, fold to create creases along the solid lines. Apply glue where it says “fold flap in & apply glue.” Fold white squares in to assemble gift box lid.

6. This is the fun part! Add pictures, photos, notes, pop-ups and anything else you want to your Heart Box to let someone know you care. Put some thought into what small “gift” you’d like to include in the center gift box. It can be a kind message, a favorite photo, or an object that brings back a favorite memory.

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7. It’s time to put it all together. Glue Sheet B (Main Box Insert) inside Sheet A (Main Box).

Place the gift box (Sheets D & E) in the center of Sheet B. Fold up the box sides and secure closed with Sheet C (Main Box Top). Congratulations, your Heart Box is ready to share!

8. Take a moment to notice how you feel right now. Doesn’t it feel good to be kind? Have fun gifting your Heart Box to the special person in your life! We’re sure it will brighten their day.

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SheetA

( Mai nBox)

SheetB

( Mai nBoxI nsert)

SheetC

( Mai nBoxTop)

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SheetD

( Gi f tBox)

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SheetE

( Gi f tBoxTop)

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