Elementary school kids pack and
repack their backpack. The safety scissors, glue, 64 count Crayola crayons,
ruler, markers…everything on the list the school provided. But there’s one
necessity that is often overlooked – kindness.
This is a good time for you to
review kindness with your children. While much emphasis is placed on RAK –
random acts of kindness – it’s important to teach consistent and intentional
kindness. Name calling, taunting and ridicule should never cross your child’s
lips. I’ve found the best way to teach your children kindness is in using, “Treat
others as you would have others treat you” (Luke 6:31).
Teach the verse to your child, and
help them live it. Say, “I would want you to help me make my bed, so I’ll help
you.” “I would want you to forgive me, so I’ll forgive you.” If siblings are
bickering, ask them the question, “What would you want your brother to do to
you?”
Here are 6 ways to help your child learn and live kindness.
1. Kindness in helping
Questions to ask:
- How would you feel if you didn’t know where to go for lunch?
- How would you feel if you dropped a pile of papers and nobody helped you pick them up?
- How would you feel if you didn’t understand the rules of a game?
2. Kindness in joking
Questions to ask:
- How would you feel if someone made fun of your name?
- How would you feel if someone made fun of the way you dressed?
- How would you feel if someone made fun of you because you couldn’t read?
3. Kindness in praising
Questions to ask:
- How would you feel if nobody liked your idea?
- How would you feel if nobody high-fived you for getting a good grade?
- How would you feel if someone got mad because you were picked to be line leader?
4. Kindness in sadness
Questions to ask:
- How would you feel if your daddy lost his job?
- How would you feel if you had to move and go to a new school?
- How would you feel if you made a poor grade?
5. Kindness in inclusion
Questions
to ask:
- How would you feel if you were always picked last in a game?
- How would you feel if you didn’t have someone to eat lunch with?
- How would you feel if you didn’t have someone to play with on the playground?
6. Kindness in sharing/giving
Questions to ask:
- How would you feel if you didn’t have crayons or markers?
- How would you feel if you forgot to bring your lunch to school?
- How would you feel if you were the only one in the class not invited to a birthday party?
Read “Fill a Bucket” by Carol McCloud. My
daughter used this with her children and they still are careful to fill others’
buckets. Make
kindness a priority in your home. Kind hearts are found in the hearts of happy
kids.
More Reading on Bullying
Kindness Teaching Tools
19 comments:
Perfect!! It occurs to me that this is an increasingly unkind world. It preaches tolerance, but underneath that facade seethes the seeds of hatred and discrimination and cruelty. I think it's a wonderful practice to begin teaching our children, from a very early age, to be kind to other people, and to practice the Golden Rule - which is really the second greatest commandment!
I love the idea of "packing kindness" into a backpack. There's definitely room in my purse for it, too.
GOD BLESS!
I love this. This helps me to give my boys more on how to be kind to others.
This is such a sweet blog post, and very helpful for little ones to learn and practice! Heck, I know some adults who could learn some kindness! Our world needs more kindness, and starting young with our children is the best place to start!
Jasmine / www.jasminekeclipse.com
This is such a great resource. This will make a good discussion with my soon to be Kindergartner. Learning kindness is SO important!
Powerful article! Being nice to others is so crucial for a positive way of living
This is a wonderful post. We always have to keep this in our minds.
I love this!!! I know I am blessed my kids are always concerned with other kids and making sure they are taken care of as well.
This is such a lovely post, you know! These days a lot of people forget about being kind to one another. It's good to raise kids who make it a point to be kind to others every single day!
When you stop to think about it, there are so many kindnesses we could spread in a single day. These are perfect examples.
Brilliant post, love the list of questions. Perfect not just for kids but as a constant reminder for adults too!
Awwww love this! I'm always encouraging my daughter to be nice to everyone. So far so good with it too
This is a really nice post. Kindness is really important and everyone should learn how to be kind even on our most devastating days.
I definitely think kindness and empathy are two very important things to teach children. Both make this world a better place.
There was a woman at the pool the other day discussing with her children how they should be nice to each other. It was a sweet little discussion, unfortunately it didn't stick.
These are great tips. Amazing ones and thanks for sharing them out.
Its important to treat others like you want to be treated, at least that is my mentality. Its good to be kind.
Such an important lesson to for them to learn early on. The "how would you feel" is an excellent way to teach kindness to children.
Hi Pamela,
I haven't been by in such a long time but I want to say, what a great post! Ephesians 4:32 says it all. Bless all the dear children who are returning to school! May the Lord watch over each one and make each one a blessing to their peers. Have a beautiful day and thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Sandi
It's very important to spread kindness :) love this post!
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