How young artists are raising money for sick children

Toddlers cover painted trees with yellow, pink, orange and red dots that look like leaves on branches made from their handprints.

More than child’s play, the children at The Learning Experience in Phoenix are raising money to grant wishes for sick children while learning lessons their teachers hope will last a lifetime.

It’s part of the national chain’s philanthropy curriculum, designed to teach kindness and inclusion by giving children opportunities to do something for others. Care packages for veterans. Christmas gifts for needy families.

“It teaches children they are part of a community by giving back to the community,” said Kylee Frawley, the Phoenix center’s manager, who has worked 18 years in early education.

This month, children at the centers, including eight in metro Phoenix, are making art to benefit Make-A-Wish, which arranges gifts, trips and experiences for ailing children. Anyone who donates at tleartforwishes.com through April 29 could win the kids’ artwork.

Even the babies participate: Teachers paint their hands and press them to paper in patterns.

Each week, the older children watch a video featuring a Make-A-Wish child. Frawley’s son, Ford, is 5, and his teacher asked the class what they would do if they met a child who was sick.

Ford said, “I would give them hugs like my mommy and daddy do when I’m sick.”

A classmate said, “I would give them chocolate milk and a cookie.” Another said, “I want to share my tooth fairy money.”

The teacher wrote their ideas on a white cape, like what superheroes wear, Ford told his mom. Maybe its strength would help the sick kids get better.

It’s never too young to teach kindness, Frawley said. As with anything we teach children, repetition is key.

Even small children can be aware when something is wrong, though they may not understand it all. Helping is empowering.

“It’s not how big or small you are,” Frawley said. “It’s the size of your heart that matters.”