Getting kids ready for the new school year is so much more than just paper, pencils, and notebooks this year. Kids have to think about masks, abiding by a whole new set of rules, and take social distancing into consideration pretty much everywhere they go in the building. It's a lot to consider for little kids. For one child who was nervous about being out in public by himself for the first time in months, this was the case, and his father created a safety shake to help calm him nervous.
For real though, some kids who are going back to in-person school this fall are out for the first time in months. It can be a scary thing to navigate. This is exactly why dad of two and CEO, Jason Harris, created the "Safety Shake," a contactless alternative to handshakes and fist bumps, Parents reported.
Spoiler alert: we're obsessed with this idea!
The inspiration for creating the Safety Shake came from the fear his sons had about heading back to school in New York City in September and wanted a way to calm all of their anxieties that surrounded that upcoming experience.
He created a video campaign surrounding this idea that was illustrated by musician and artist Young & Sick, and it's now going viral (and we totally get why!).
Here's how the Safety Shake works: you simply double tap your heart, reach out your hand in a way that feels uniquely yours, be that with a bow or by pointing.
https://vimeo.com/447957345
"As long as you're doing it from the heart, you're doing it right," the video's narrator says.
Creator of the viral hit "Bored In The House," Curtis Roach is working on promoting the campaign, too. He shared in the press release that "Safety Shake can be a fun way to say 'hi' to people at a safe distance. It's been a crazy 2020 so hopefully, this will allow people to have a little fun and brings them a little joy. Keeping your distance is still important right now so I'm excited to see what people create."
Harris added, "We all need to be vigilant and take precautions to keep our children safe as they partially return to school. Wash your hands, watch your distance, wear a mask…but also, kids still need to be kids and have some fun. The Safety Shake is a way for them to keep their distance while being creative and connecting with their classmates."
We just love everything about this. For kids who are experiencing high anxiety about going back to school, having this handy in their minds can help assure them that everyone is doing their part to help them get through these crazy times we're living.