Hi, I’m Sheila López, a high school student and creator of ‘Stand Up’
I’d like to tell you about ‘Stand Up,’ a project I developed to teach empathy to children and reduce bullying in a fun and educational way. As someone who has experienced how challenging school can be when you don’t know how to handle your emotions or express what you’re feeling, I’ve learned the importance of creating a supportive and respectful environment. My goal with ‘Stand Up’ is for every child who participates to learn to understand and express their emotions as we build a kinder, more respectful community.
My Story and the Origin of ‘Stand Up’
I’m 17 years old, and I’ve always dreamed of becoming a doctor to help others. However, I’ve also faced challenges in my life, like bullying, which taught me the value of empathy and respect. Thanks to my family’s support, I was able to overcome those moments, and that’s when I knew I wanted to help other children feel less alone or misunderstood.
‘Stand Up’ was born from that personal experience and my belief that if children learn early on the importance of putting themselves in others' shoes, we can build a better future and reduce issues like bullying in schools.
What is 'Stand Up'?
In 'Stand Up' I use a colouring book and stuffed animals of the characters Valentin the Bear and Valeria the Elephant. Through these activities, children can explore their emotions, learn about empathy and practice social skills in an accessible and fun way.
Why color and interact with stuffed animals?
Research has shown that activities such as colouring and playing have a huge impact on children's emotional and brain development. Colouring helps reduce stress and improves concentration by 40%, allowing children to relax and better understand their own and others' emotions. In addition, interaction with stuffed animals and symbolic games, such as those we do in 'Stand Up', strengthen empathy and emotional understanding by 35%, according to recent studies.
What impact do I hope to achieve with 'Stand Up'?
My dream is that Stand Up will help children develop positive emotional connections and build a school environment where everyone feels safe and valued. Research has shown that programs that teach empathy can reduce bullying by 30-40%, and that inspires me to keep going and believe in the power of empathy to transform the future.
My Invitation
'Stand Up' is more than an educational project; it is a way to build a more just world, where every child learns the value of respect and empathy. I invite everyone – educators, parents and communities – to join this project. Together we can offer our children a space where they feel understood and where they grow up knowing that expressing what they feel is important. Thank you for joining me on this mission and for believing in the power of empathy to make a positive change!
Mission
Our mission is to sow the seed of empathy in children from an early age, through playful and educational activities that foster understanding, solidarity and mutual respect. We are committed to empowering parents with the necessary tools to prevent and manage bullying situations, promoting the mental health and well-being of young people.
Vision
We aim to be leaders in promoting empathy as a powerful tool to eradicate bullying and promote a culture of harmonious coexistence in schools. We envision a future where empathy is a fundamental value in children's education, creating safe, inclusive and bullying-free school communities. Through our work, we aspire to contribute to building a more compassionate and fair society, where empathy is the driving force of positive change.