Kindness and Kids

kindNess and kids

5/7/2023

Kindness is one of the most important values that we can instill in our children. It helps them develop empathy, compassion, and respect for others. But how can we teach kindness to very young children, who are still learning about themselves and the world around them?

Here are some activities that you can use to foster kindness in your classroom or at home.

Model kindness yourself. Children learn by observing and imitating adults, so make sure you are always polite, courteous, and helpful to others. Say please and thank you, apologize when you make a mistake, and offer to help someone in need. Show your children how to treat others with dignity and care.
Point out and praise kindness when you see it. When your children do something kind, such as sharing a toy, helping a friend, or giving a compliment, acknowledge and appreciate their behavior. Say things like "That was very kind of you", "You made her happy", or "I'm proud of you for being so thoughtful". This will reinforce their positive actions and encourage them to repeat them.
Read stories about kindness. There are many books that teach children about kindness, such as "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud, or "The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister. Read these stories with your children and discuss the characters' actions and feelings. Ask questions like "How do you think he felt when he gave his apple?", "What did she do to fill her bucket?", or "Why did he share his scales?".
Do random acts of kindness. Make kindness a fun and spontaneous activity by doing random acts of kindness with your children. For example, you can bake cookies for your neighbors, write thank-you notes for your teachers, or donate toys to a charity. You can also create a kindness jar or a kindness calendar, where you write down different acts of kindness that you can do each day or week.
Teach empathy skills. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is essential for developing kindness, as it helps children see things from another's perspective and respond with compassion. You can teach empathy skills by playing games that involve taking turns, listening, and expressing emotions. You can also use role-playing scenarios or puppets to help children practice empathy in different situations.

Download this set of 10 discussion posters/flashcards.