The word kindness is only mentioned once in The Early Years Learning Framework – it’s in Outcome 2: CHILDREN HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF WELLBEING. Children develop compassion through acts of caring and kindness towards others. Each day, for two weeks, I read one of the books followed by a class meeting to discuss the book and how we can use the lesson to show kindness or friendship to others. Mallory Mbalia is the Assistant Principal at Underwood GT Elementary in Raleigh, NC. We spend several months focused on learning “The 7 Habits of Happy Kids.”  One very important habit that helps students learn to be kind to others, especially when dealing with conflict, is “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.”  This helps students see each other through a kindness lens and appreciate what each other is feeling. I reflected  my students’ diversity by choosing readers with accents that some students may have not heard before. IE 11 is not supported. In early January 2019, her second book, Take the L.E.A.P., Ignite a Culture of Innovation will be released. No matter which way you teach kindness, the world will always be a better place because of it. In the early years of life, young children are naturally ego-centric and … Elisabeth Bostwick is a teacher in Horseheads, N.Y., who’s passionate about sparking curiosity and unleashing creativity to empower learning. When these needs are met, students can better focus on learning and are more likely to engage in critical thinking, express creativity, collaborate, communicate effectively, and persevere through challenges -- essential skills our youth require. Teaching Kindness So how do teachers bring kindness … In lieu of the need for teaching materials that foster kindness and compassion, teacher authors from around the globe have come together to offer FREE classroom materials for teachers. The qualities in the center include positive sentiments about what friendship means: friends show patience, , encourage each other, respect personal space, include others, help others, use kind words, show compassion and celebrate differences. While you are teaching your students to empathize, you are simultaneously exercising their creativity and critical thinking skills in the process. Educators have been aware, for the last 300 years that there is a case to be made for … We start working on empathy. If you teach kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, or really any early childhood program that has a bit more of an academic bent to it, you’ll want to look at Simply Kinder. Children develop compassion through acts of caring and kindness towards others, and as they grow, it can guide their actions and behaviors in positive ways. What would they want/need in the moment? Try these practical tips to help infants and toddlers develop empathy and understand that others have different thoughts and feelings than they do. This webinar will share a variety of ideas and strategies to use in your programs that embrace a culture of acceptance and kindness. You can also ask your children to help siblings or grandparents. Weave lessons of kindness into your daily routine. After Rousseau, we believe that an education in kindness is essential in early childhood (Emile, 1762). Student Greeters welcome visitors to Michelle’s classroom with a cheerful “Hello neighbor!” “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” is stenciled above the smartboard. The center we created provides links to read alouds and PBS LearningMedia  that demonstrate the qualities of a friend. Have a class discussion about how they would feel if they were the character. Books about kindness are so powerful for children. As a preschool teacher, I can tell you that some concepts are really hard to teach, … Kindness plays an important part in showing … I often hear students singing along with Daniel and his friends as they Find a way to play together and Try to solve the problems themselves. You may also want to ask how it made them feel when someone helped, and when they helped others, although you may not get real answers until your child is older. An Intentional, Comprehensive Curriculum ... and teaching kindness… Children become aware of … ​Elisabeth Bostwick, Michelle Garmon, Julie Hildebrand, Ashley Judd and Mallory Mbalia Increased Feelings of Gratitude. Kindness in the classroom is linked to a strong sense of belonging and increased  self-esteem as acceptance for peers develops. Julie’s primary goals have been to increase student achievement in literacy and technology skills in and out of her classroom. Better Concentration and Improved Results - Kindness is a key ingredient that helps children feel … It soon spreads and I hear my students begin to thank her when she’s working in the room. While you are doing this, explain that sometimes people just need a little extra help and that being kind can make a big difference in the lives of others in need. She is a former kindergarten teacher who is passionate about early childhood education, as well as equity work in education, to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their true potential. Mallory serves as a trainer for her local station UNC TV Public Media North Carolina and is a Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Digital Innovator All-Star. Ashley is a Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Digital Innovator All-Star, as well as a finalist for KY Elementary Teacher of the Year and a Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award Winner. (Evoking Empathy). You might have spent your childhood listening to a parent or other adult in your life remind you to mind your manners and speak kindly. Copyright © 2020 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), All rights reserved. As I continue to see violence throughout the community that surrounds them, I feel that a shift toward lessons encompassing love, compassion, and kindness … The first step in kindness for a young child … In a time where there seems to be many negative messages in the media and beyond, we in early childhood programs experience the effects on young children. Being a caring and compassionate role model is the best method for teaching your children about kindness, and setting a good example is key to getting them to apply these values to their relationships and interactions. The discussion was amazing during the charts creation. Morning meetings are a great opportunity for learners to develop empathy as they learn to listen with understanding and consider how best to respond to their peers. Keys to kindness — and well-being ... Our early results suggest the promise of the curriculum, with children ... of mindfulness prior to teaching mindful practices to others. The only rule in my class is, “We are all friends.”  We began the year by creating a chart that shows what a friend can do, what friends will do and what friends like to do together. It’s a quick and simple way for students to express kindness and compassion for others. Friends need to listen to each other and take turns talking. Daniel Tiger is also featured in the center. I also make it a point to be overly kind to our cafeteria staff in front of the students. Her first book, Education Write Now Volume II, Top Strategies for Improving Relationships and Culture, co-authored with nine other passionate educators, will release in December 2018. Mindfulness before nap and relaxation times. In my experience, morning meetings support the culture of learning by setting the tone for the day and by allowing us to get to know one another differently than when we engage in collaborative class work. When children are kind and compassionate, they are more tolerant and more aware of the suffering of others, and they are better able to rejoice in other people’s successes. From the moment our toddlers start their school year, we are working on teaching them how to care for others. Often, we’ll change partners, and depending on our structure, we may regroup into a circle. Planting seeds of kindness begins with designing early childhood environments that promote kindness. EPISODE 027: Teaching Kindness - An Educator's Thoughts on Early Childhood and Learning the Basics of Being Human Last week, just in time for teacher appreciation week, we talked to a former high school science teacher who left the education system despite his love for education . Learning how to teach kindness in the classroom is one of our most important jobs as teachers. It is important to understand that the benefits of the Kindness … Skills associated with kindness … No matter what grade level you teach, never underestimate your impact. Why? Former Head of School at New City School in St. Louis, Missouri, Tom Hoerr suggests that once your child is four or five years of age, you may want to create a family “kindness chart” on which everyone’s reflections are entered each night. If we mold our Kindergarteners into “do-ers,” they will eventually morph into middle and high school students who are collaborators, initiators, and critical thinkers. A small, class community service project is a great way to connect to your community and provide an intentional opportunity for your students to experience empathy. Deliver sweet treats to custodians, administration, cafeteria staff, and students’ former teachers. Sharing social stories allows learners to be metacognitive about problems they may encounter. In our classroom, we gather in a circle for a welcome message and short discussion. 6. Another way to show your child the value of kindness is to bring him along when you’re taking a meal to a noncontagious sick relative or neighbor, or let her help you get a bag of clothes or canned goods together for a local clothing or food drive. ​Elisabeth Bostwick, Michelle Garmon, Julie Hildebrand, Ashley Judd and Mallory Mbalia, Managing Feelings in the First Week of School, What the Dot Test Can Teach Us to De-Stress Our Students, Pushing Toward APUSH: Online Resources to Help Students Prepare for the AP US History Exam. When they tell you, you can respond by saying, “That was so kind of them to do that for you.” Similarly, you can also ask them to provide two ways that they were helpful to others and comment on how kind it was of them to those things for others. Our students look to us as models for what’s expected, and if we are treating others kindly, they will follow suit. Being a caring and compassionate role model is the best method for teaching your children about kindness, and setting a good example is key to getting them to apply these values to their relationships and interactions. You may also want to volunteer together at a food bank during the holidays or gather items from family members to donate to a charity in your area. As I reflect upon my teaching experience and the community I call home, I find myself constantly thinking about the future of my students. I also model what a conversation looks like. Mindful kindness chant. They can be utilized with all ages, and at the secondary level, may be called collaborative class discussions. Fostering a culture of kindness enhances the connections made peer-to-peer and student to teacher. An activity that teachers can use at any grade is the Mindful Kindness Chant. During a morning meeting, students may discuss a topic shared by the teacher and as they gain autonomy, they can take on leadership roles by helping to create the morning message or topic of discussion. Empathy is the ability to put yourself in the shoes of someone else and understand what they are feeling or experiencing. For example, you may ask them to take on small responsibilities during the morning routine, like packing snacks or getting dressed, or suggest that they help with cleaning up or setting the table for dinner time. Invite students to perform Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs) for others. 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