Understanding Homelessness

"My dad and I live in an airport.  That's because we don't have a home and the airport is better than the streets." -Fly Away Home

The Issue of Homelessness
Homelessness is a sad reality for many children in our country.  It is a problem that can be difficult and distressing to explain.  Based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education and the 2013 U.S. Census, a staggering 2.5 million children in America go to sleep without a home of their own (National Center of Family Homelessness, 2016).  In addition,  homelessness inhibits the physical, behavioral, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children (Shegos, 1999, p. 2).  In general, homelessness can be unsanitary, unsafe, and chaotic.  Thankfully, there are laws in place such as the McKinney-Vento Act and programs like Backpack Buddies which provides support for children experiencing homelessness.  

It wasn't until I was an adult that I came face-to-face with childhood homelessness.  The first school I taught at was in a low-income rural town where 100% of our students received free lunch.  Unfortunately, far too many students were also experiencing homelessness.  Some students lived at various campgrounds while others went from one motel to another.  Some students were "fortunate" enough to have close family or friends that would take them in and let them sleep on their couch or on the floor of their home.  Some even spent many nights during the year at different shelters.  The common theme every homeless child shares is the constant worry of not knowing where they will sleep each night, if they will be safe, and if they will have food to eat.  The anxiety and depression these students experience on a daily basis impacts their ability to think, learn, and form relationships with others. Fortunately, school is a place of sanctuary and stability for many of these children. It is my hope that teaching children about homelessness will inspire them to take action whether it be volunteering at a soup kitchen, donating money, or showing compassion for those in need.


Addressing Homelessness in the Classroom
Homelessness should be addressed in the classroom in order for students to gain a greater understanding of this complex social issue.  Discussing homelessness will also help students learn ways that they can make a positive difference in the lives of those affected.  In addition to teacher's and other stakeholders educating themselves about homelessness, there are also wonderful children's literature books that can be used for educating our youth about this crisis situation.   While some children have a better understanding than others because they have homeless relatives or friends, it can be easy for children to form negative stereotypes based on what they've heard on the news, conversations they've had with parents, or what they've seen in social media.  

According to Perkins, "Great stories, like their human counterparts, are beautiful yet flawed, and discussing them in community can strengthen their power to enlighten, inspire, and let justice roll down" (Perkins, 2009, p. 7).  Eve Bunting's Fly Away Home is no exception as it discusses the challenging issue of homelessness while also addressing its negative stereotypes.  In this story, a homeless boy and his father are able to survive living in an airport terminal because they are careful not to get caught (e.g. they stay among the crowds, change airlines, sleep sitting up, and wear clean looking clothes).  A woman also attempts to find shelter at the airport but is unsuccessful when her dirty clothes and cart full of stuff draws the attention of the security guards.  In this story the father is described as someone who works as a janitor that is trying all the time to find a place for him and his son to live. Readers that associate homelessness with dirty and lazy individuals will grow to gain a new perspective on the issue.  Overall, this book is sure to spark some interesting and thought provoking discussion.  


This activity addresses several K-2 Common Core Standards including: K.C.1- Understand how individuals are similar and different, 1.C.1- Understand the diversity of people in the local community, and 2.C.1- Understand how various cultures influence communities.   Additional books that teachers can use for helping students understand homelessness can be found here: Institute for Humane Education. 

References

Bunting, E., & Himler, R. (1991). Fly away home. New York: Clarion Books.

National Center on Family Homelessness. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.air.org/center/national-center-family-homelessness

Perkins, M. (2009). Straight Talk on Race: Challenging the stereotypes in kid's books.

Shegos, E. (1999). Homelessness and its Effects on Children. 1-16. Retrieved from http://www.fhfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Homlessness_Effects_Children.pdf