5 Ways to teach kids how to be kind
/13 November is World Kindness Day and is a designated day to pause and consciously reflect on times when we have been shown kindness, and think about ways in which we can treat others kindly.
Kindness is defined as, ‘The quality of being gentle, caring and helpful’, and there are several other traits associated with kindness, including friendliness, generosity, courtesy and good listening skills. Kindness is also an important part of empathy, which is the ability to understand and share someone else’s feelings.
5 ways to teach your minis how to be kind
1. Kindness in Chalk
Take your minis outside with some sidewalk chalk and let them share the love with everyone who passes by! This is such a simple gesture but such an effective one too – you may never realize how much it lifts someone’s spirits.
2. Kindness Rocks
Kindness rocks have one simple goal, to promote random acts of kindness in the shape of painted rocks with inspirational words! Not only is it fun to design and create these gorgeous rocks, students also learn the powerful skill of using words to inspire and motivate both themselves and others around them!
3. Save for a Special Cause
Collect spare change and donate it to an organisation that your mini wants to support. You can even help your child set up a lemonade stand or neighbourhood bake sale or garage sale. Explain that all the proceeds from sales will go towards a charity or NGO of their choice.
4. Kindness Chatterboxes
Kids love making chatterboxes! This activity lets your minis write kind acts they wish to complete on the inside of their chatterbox.
5. Kindness Elves
The Elf on the Shelf is a pretty popular phenomenon around this time of the year, but the Kindness Elves are different! They don’t focus on bad behavior or reporting back to Santa. Instead, they emphasize kindness and love, in an attempt to help kids develop thoughtfulness and compassion for the world around them in a playful and fun way!