Kids and Kindness
“In a world where you can be anything- Be Kind.” This is something that I want my kids to take on. In a world where so often it’s about “me” and what “I” can get, I want them to be kind. October was National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month so I decided what better time than to talk about kindness and stepping out to be someone’s friend even when it’s not ‘cool.’
We created “Kindness Books” and every evening, after dinner we’d sit down and talk about something kind that they did or something kind that was done towards them. Initially, it took some prodding and questions to help them figure out if they could name something kind they did. The kids are 6 and 3 so they are at the ages where they’ve learned to share and be respectful. Often, because it’s second nature they don’t realize they were being kind, it was just part of how you’re supposed to act as far as they were concerned. Little Mr. H would (who is 3) would say “Mommy, I didn’t do anything!” which had him a little upset after realizing this. I mentioned that he was helping his grandma make biscuits when I came to pick him up and that I thought it was kind of him to be helpful. Suddenly, he lit up and says “Yeah! It was! I was helping!”
Good Conversations
By the start of the second week, they were so excited about doing this that they’d start the conversation when I picked them up in the afternoon. Little Miss B would get in the care and say “Mommy, are we going to talk about being kind? Because I have some things I want to tell you!” It wasn’t just about saying what she did for someone it was also about talking about a classmate that held a door open or letting her hold a show and tell toy they brought. It allowed both of them to recognize that they do good things and see those good things are done for them.
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Doing the Kindness Books not only allowed them to be more conscious of being kind but showed them how often someone does something kind towards them and how that made them feel. It also opened the door for conversation. Often, I pick them up and ask how the day was and get “it was good” or “ok” so it was nice to talk about events that happened during the day.
Ideas for Acts of Kindness
This next month we’ll be doing “Gracious Books” to talk about things that we are thankful for and how important it is to be thankful.
Is there anything you do with your kids to help promote kindness?
More Post on Kindness-
Teaching Kindness In An Entitled World
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Loved this post! Such good emotion and meaning behind it. Thank you!
Thanks Shalyn!
Love the Kindness Books! What a great idea to assist with teaching your little ones all about kindness and treating others nicely.
Thanks Ashley! I was so glad they got so excited about them
What a great idea! I didn’t make it formal but we talk every evening during dinner about what they did that was kind or if they say someone else doing something kind for someone. It’s true that because they generally are helpful, respectful kids they don’t see alot of their actions as kindness. But once I pointed out that they are being kind in many ways they were so excited to share!
It makes your heart so happy when they connect those dots that they are doing something good and that it matters even if they don’t see/realize it at the moment :). I am hoping that we’ll carry this on in dinner conversations too!
I loved reading this! It is such a good idea I may have to apply it to my kids! Thank you.
If I can teach my son anything, I want it to be kindness. It is so important in a world where everyone sees how mean they can be to one another behind a keyboard. Kindness is contagious and so far he is pretty sweet.
Love this post! Such great ideas that I can implement with my 4 boys!