Welcome Kindness Into 2024!

It's another great year and we hope that you're going to do your Super Best to bring kindness into 2024!

2023 was a fantastic year for us at SuperCaptainBraveMan! Kyle continues to grow and thrive, impressing us every day with his progress and ability to learn more, make new friends, and have fun adventures!

We here at SuperCaptainBraveMan pledge to continue to highlight kids with special abilities and their heroic adventures all year long! Our messages of kindness and inclusion continue to propel us, making the new year full of endless possibilities.

Exciting things continue to happen and we hope to share them all with you soon! Join us on another great year of adventure!

Earth Day: Giving The Earth a Helping Hand

Earth Day

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Hey there, young eco-warriors! Have you heard of Earth Day? Every year, on April 23rd, we celebrate our amazing home and think about the various ways we can take care of the planet. But what does that really mean, and what are the ways that you can help?

Taking care of the Earth is all about using resources wisely. Resources are things we need, like water, energy, and materials. Resources are limited, and it’s our responsibility to ensure we can make those resources last or reuse them innovatively! So, let’s talk about some easy ways to use resources wisely and help the Earth!

Use Less Plastic

The most important thing you can do if you use plastics is to recycle them! Plastic takes a long time to break down and can negatively affect the environment. There are so many ways to replace plastics with things you use every day! Some examples are by using reusable bags instead of plastic bags when shopping. You can also use a refillable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.

Save Energy

Electric energy is what powers our homes and schools. You can save energy by turning off lights and electronics when you’re not using them. You can also ask your parents to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.

Save Water

Water is a precious resource, and it’s very important we don’t waste it. There are very simple ways to make sure you’re water-wise. You can save water by turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth or by taking shorter showers. You can also ask your parents to fix any leaks in the house.

Plant a Garden

Plants are amazing for the Earth because they produce oxygen and clean the air. Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a fun way to learn about nature and enjoy healthy food. You can start a garden in your backyard or at school.

Speak Up!

Finally, one of the most important things you can do is speak up for the Earth! You can write letters to politicians or start a petition to make your community greener. You can also talk to your friends and family about why taking care of the Earth is important.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but there are so many ways you can help the Earth. You can make a big difference by using resources wisely and making small daily changes. And the best part is that these habits can stay with you for life and help you improve the world as you grow up!

Diversity and Inclusivity in Children’s Literature: Educating with Compassion

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Children’s books are our first steps into the adventures of literature. From the earliest of ages, children enter a world filled with authors and characters that become as dear to them as anyone in the real world. They become our children’s first teachers, friends, and companions.

Authors like Dr. Seuss, characters like The Berenstain Bears, and sleepy-time staples like Good Night, Moon help shape our children’s moral compass, compassion, and awareness in loving and entertaining ways. SuperCaptainBraveMan is so proud to be among such literary giants when you and your family choose quality children’s book content.

Diversity and inclusivity are critical aspects of children’s lives, and, in turn, Children’s books can and should reflect the world around them. While the classic tales of our childhoods still hold lessons every child should know, it is essential to ensure that all children, regardless of their abilities, race, sexual orientation, or family background, are represented in the stories they read.

Representation Matters

For children with disabilities, finding characters, they can relate to in books can be challenging. We all love a good superhero story! Where the main character fights the bad guy, saves the friend, and learns new ways to share their powers with others! It is easy to get attached to that character and find ways you’re similar to them. But how about if that superhero has a trach? Or if he’s wearing his cool AFO leg braces? What happens when a child with disabilities sees a superhero with disabilities? When children with disabilities see characters with similar experiences, it can help them feel seen, heard, and validated. We can attest to this fact every time a mother, father, or caretaker tells us that their child with a disability sees themself in SuperCaptainBraveMan.

Similarly, children from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds may not always see themselves reflected in the books they read. By including diverse characters in children’s books, we can help all children feel seen and cherished.

Breaking Stereotypes

Children's books featuring diverse characters can also help to break down stereotypes and biases. For example, children's books that feature characters with disabilities can help to dispel myths about what it means to have a disability. Books that depict characters from different races and ethnic backgrounds can also help to break down stereotypes and promote understanding.

It is important that children's books featuring diverse characters are written and illustrated respectfully and authentically. A refreshing dive into newer children's books showcase authors and illustrators who have lived experience, are diverse, or have done extensive research to create realistic and nuanced portrayals of diverse characters.

Encouraging Empathy

Reading children's books featuring diverse characters can also encourage empathy and understanding in children. When children see characters who are different, it can help them develop a broader perspective and a greater understanding of the world around them. This can lead to greater compassion and empathy for others, encourage kids to learn about customs different from theirs, and lead with kindness.

Promoting Inclusivity

We are so lucky to live in a time where children's books represent various experiences, backgrounds, and abilities. The amount of different voices and stories Children's books provide only helps build our children's view of the ever-changing yet beautiful world we all share. Children's literature can be critical in promoting acceptance and celebrating diversity as we work towards a more inclusive society.

Winning at Losing: Being Kind to Yourself and Others After You Lose a Game

Winning at Losing

Everyone loves playing a good game! Some of the best moments in life are playing in a team in a competition. Whether a friendly game of kickball on the playground or a rainy day board game with your family, games can be a great way to develop strategic thinking, cooperation skills, and bonding time. But what happens when a game doesn’t go your way? What if you’re on the losing side of a competition?

It’s an important fact that losing can be upsetting. It’s natural to be disappointed when you lose a game, especially when you work hard to try and achieve a goal. But, it is equally important to remember that the risk of losing is a part of playing any game. Losing can also be an opportunity to learn from mistakes.

Losing can reinforce lessons that can help kids grow. Winning can feel great. We enjoy pushing for success and avoiding failure. But losing is a part of any game. It’s easy to connect failure with the opposite of winning, but that’s not true. Losing is a part of success. Without loss, the vital lessons that games provide will never be learned.

Losing a game teaches us that perfection isn’t a goal to aim for. There is always room for growth and improvement. It can also remind us that perseverance is a win in its own right. When we lose at a game, it’s so easy to give up. But, when we lose, learn from a game, and pick ourselves up to try again, we can set ourselves up for success the next time. That resilience helps create the determination and drive it takes to reach our goals.

One of the most important parts of losing a game is a lesson in kindness and empathy. When you win a game, and your opponent feels bad, you most likely meet them with kind words. Just like how you extend kindness their way, it’s important to remember that if you lose, kindness to the winner is good too. Everybody has those days. Everybody is capable of failing. We all share similarities when it comes to competition. Being kind and supportive reflects your kindness and empathy even when things don’t go your way.

Everyone loves playing a good game! Some of the best moments in life are playing in a team in a competition. Whether a friendly game of kickball on the playground or a rainy day board game with your family, games can be a great way to develop strategic thinking, cooperation skills, and bonding time. But what happens when a game doesn’t go your way? What if you’re on the losing side of a competition?

It’s an important fact that losing can be upsetting. It’s natural to be disappointed when you lose a game, especially when you work hard to try and achieve a goal. But, it is equally important to remember that the risk of losing is a part of playing any game. Losing can also be an opportunity to learn from mistakes.

Losing can reinforce lessons that can help kids grow. Winning can feel great. We enjoy pushing for success and avoiding failure. But losing is a part of any game. It’s easy to connect failure with the opposite of winning, but that’s not true. Losing is a part of success. Without loss, the vital lessons that games provide will never be learned.

Losing a game teaches us that perfection isn’t a goal to aim for. There is always room for growth and improvement. It can also remind us that perseverance is a win in its own right. When we lose at a game, it’s so easy to give up. But, when we lose, learn from a game, and pick ourselves up to try again, we can set ourselves up for success the next time. That resilience helps create the determination and drive it takes to reach our goals.

One of the most important parts of losing a game is a lesson in kindness and empathy. When you win a game, and your opponent feels bad, you most likely meet them with kind words. Just like how you extend kindness their way, it’s important to remember that if you lose, kindness to the winner is good too. Everybody has those days. Everybody is capable of failing. We all share similarities when it comes to competition. Being kind and supportive reflects your kindness and empathy even when things don’t go your way.

GTubes: What Are They and Why Do Some Kids Need Them?

Energy is vital to any superhero's mission, so growing heroes must get their daily balance of nutrition to keep their adventures going!

One of the most important ways a kid can get their energy is from nutritious food and a healthy diet. Typically, this is accomplished by eating a healthy balance of proteins, vegetables, starches, and fruits by mouth. But what about kids who can't eat by mouth? How can they be assured that they receive the appropriate nutrition? One way that some kids get their food is through a GTube.

A GTube, or Gastrostomy Tube, is a surgically placed device in the belly that directly pipes enteral (liquid nutrition) formula into the stomach.

Kids need GTubes for different reasons. Sometimes, GTubes are placed when a child has difficulty swallowing, has congenital disabilities that interfere with their ability to eat, or has difficulty meeting milestones regarding their weight or nutrition absorption.

GTubes are placed only in extreme situations when a child cannot physically have nutrition through their mouth. Children and parents first meet with their doctors, Gastroenterologists, and care teams. Before, during, and after the procedure, the child and family are given instructions about GTube care, feedings, and potential problems they can run into. All of this is vital to proper care and use of GTubes.

GTubes can be a pivotal part of a child's developmental progress. But sometimes can be a point of frustration. Having the ability to eat by mouth compromised can be an uncomfortable thought, and those feelings are valid. An important note is being able to relate to your child's needs for growth and adequate nutrition. How you and your child approach life with a GTube are strictly personal to your family's journey. Utilizing the knowledge of your healthcare team and other parent-led GTube communities on social media can benefit you.

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and be Super, and that starts with healthy nutrition!

Check out these GTube-themed and Nutrition stories we've enjoyed, and feel free to start the conversation in the comments below!

Happy New Year!

Hello to the new year!

2023 is here and we’re so excited to share our plans for the coming year.

But first, let’s catch up with what the SuperCaptainBraveMan team did in 2022!

This year, Kyle turned 16. And by the end of the year, he has grown to an amazing 4 feet 4 inches. Which means that sooner rather than later, he’ll be taller than both Nurse Brigette and Nurse Leah!

2022 was a year of collaborations for us.

Partnering with O & P in Motion, 2 murals featuring SuperCaptainBraveMan are now proudly displayed on the outside of their Los Angeles location.

We also had the privilege to collaborate with Marc Laver and his initiative, Jonnie and Friends. This inspiring initiative led the restoration of Universal Universe’s All Access Playground. We are so thankful and honored to be part of such a lovely project.

And we here at SuperCaptainBraveMan want to send out a special thanks to Fenton Primary School for hosting our first live book reading since the pandemic. We love sharing our stories with kids and have missed seeing all of the excited faces live and in person.

New Year, New Merch!

We’ve added more items to our shop! In addition to our T-shirts, you can now order hats, beanies, PJ pants, and “One Brave Kid” shirts. Even our four legged friends can get their SuperCaptainBraveMan on with our doggie kerchiefs featuring Mochi!

Head over to our shop to grab some garb to dress in SuperCaptainBraveMan head to toe!

This year—more than most—reminded us all that we are beyond grateful for each and every one of you. Your support, comments, and likes mean the world to us.

Our continued love for creative stories that showcase inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do. From diabetes to Down Syndrome, SuperCaptainBraveMan strives to teach kids about kindness, empathy, and the power to connect to the superhero inside.

Happy 2023!

Comment below with your New Year’s resolutions and hopes for the coming 12 months.

Stay safe and stay brave, SuperCaptainBraveFAM!

National Superhero Day at Fenton Primary School!

What makes a superhero? Is it the power to fly high? The ability to leap over buildings? Or is it catching the bad guy before dinner time? While we can all agree that these talents are super, we at SuperCaptainBraveMan believe that the one thing that makes a superhero is: Kindness!

On National Superhero Day, April 28th, the SuperCaptainBraveMan Team had the honor of visiting Fenton Primary Center School to read their TK through 2nd graders The Adventures of SuperCaptainBraveMan books! This fantastic event was our first live book reading since the COVID-19 lockdown!

We were so impressed with how well these little superheroes listened and participated in our SuperHero Storytime! All of these super kids wore their best superhero costumes. Thank you to Mrs. Salazar and the incredible staff and teachers at Fenton Primary School for welcoming us so warmly! You guys are the real Super Crew!

Thanks for allowing us to celebrate National Superhero Day with you all! We are so grateful to help kids unlock their superhero power of kindness!