How Do We Teach Kindness?
Updated: Oct 13
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." ~ Aesop
They say that kindness is the greatest form of intelligence. And it makes sense, doesn’t it? Kindness requires awareness, empathy, and the ability to think beyond ourselves.
Kindness isn’t something that can be mastered in a day, a week, or even a year.
It’s a practice. A way of being.
So the real question becomes: how do we teach children kindness?
We model it.
We talk about it.
We celebrate it.
We emphasize it.
And most importantly, we live it.
There are seasons in all of our lives when staying positive feels difficult.
Life brings challenges we can’t always control, but we can control the words we speak~ to ourselves and to others ~ and the perspective we choose. Is the cup half full, or half empty?
Our thoughts and words are powerful. And just like adults, children have off days.
They get upset. They make mistakes. Yet even in the midst of those moments, there is always something beautiful within each day.
Instead of focusing on what went wrong, we can help children shift their perspective toward gratitude and possibility.
Rather than asking the usual, “How was your day?” or “What didn’t go well?” we can open the door to deeper, more meaningful reflection.
We can ask questions like:
How did you show kindness at school today?
What is one kind or thoughtful thing someone did for you recently?
What went really well for you today?
What are you grateful for?
What made you laugh or smile?
What are you looking forward to this week?
Who did you thank today?
What about today was better than yesterday?
What is one thing you did really well?
What was the best part of your day?
Who is someone you appreciate at school, and why?
What is something new you learned or tried today?
How can you help or be kind to someone tomorrow?
When we focus on kindness and gratitude, we help children direct their attention toward what is right rather than what is wrong. Over time, this shapes not only how they experience their days, but how they understand themselves and the world around them.
Together, we have the opportunity to model the values we hope to see in the next generation~ through our words, our actions, and our presence.
I believe kindness isn’t something we ever truly finish learning.
It grows in the everyday moments ~ in how we speak to one another and ourselves, how we listen, how we respond, and how we hold space for each other. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can give children is simply the opportunity to experience kindness for themselves, so they come to know how it feels like, sounds like, looks like, and how naturally it can be shared.
Stories can be a beautiful part of that journey. A good story can open a little window into another person’s world, help us see things differently, and sometimes leave a thought or feeling with us long after the book has been put down. I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember. It´s one of the things I miss most about teaching and being in the classroom - story time!
Here are some of my favourite books for nurturing kindness, and compassion in children:
I hope these stories bring a little warmth, connection and a few meaningful conversations along the way.
Wishing you an incredible day, and many little moments of kindness to notice and treasure.
Sol Frequency with Melissa Teixeira ~ Homeopathic and Integrative Health Practitioner
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