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With the world the way it is today, it’s up to us to help give our kids the tools to spread more kindness and love. Although things may seem bleak, teaching your kids how to be kind will bode better for the world and make them happier adults too.
Fortunately, it’s easy to teach kindness to our children. Here is what you can do to raise kids that are kind.
Lead by example
The first rule for raising kind kids is to be an example of kindness yourself. Be polite when you order food in a restaurant. Offer a helping hand to an older person at the supermarket on their own, and walk the walk of kindness for your children to model.
Volunteer together
Part of kindness is helping others. It’s the compassionate thing to do and it goes hand in hand. Your children will not only learn how to be kind when you work together to serve your community, but they’ll also be grateful for the things they have.
Be loving in your responses
It’s easy to point out mistakes kids make, like spilling milk when they’re getting themselves a bowl of cereal. You make mistakes too, so remember to be kind with your children when they mess up. That warmth and forgiveness you show them will help them be kind to others that make mistakes too.
Care for your world
Raising kids that are kind to the environment – including the plants, animals, and other people in it – is so important. You’ll instill in them a passion to always do the right thing and to think of others, not just their own needs.
Be a good citizen
When we teach our kids at a young age how to be a good citizen, we’re giving them what they need to be a kind-hearted adult. Again, this is something you should set an example with. Help the neighbors if you see them struggling to get their laundry in before the rain comes down. Let someone with one item go before you in line at the store. Every day, there are opportunities to be kind to everyone around you.
Show them the power of positivity
The world is a better place when we look at it positively. If we don’t, it would be too easy to fall into the mire. It’s not about ignoring the bad in life, but rather, being thankful for what we do have and what we can control. When you show your kids how to see positives even when things are bleak, it will serve them well into adulthood.
A little kindness goes a long way and is simple to teach. Plus, like smiles, kindness is contagious, so spread as much of it around as you can.
Thought Starters:
- Reflect on How You Model Kindness in Daily Life: Consider your everyday actions and interactions, like how you speak to service staff or assist someone in need. Think about the ways you can demonstrate kindness in front of your children to set a positive example for them to follow.
- Explore Volunteer Opportunities to Share with Your Children: Think about community service or volunteer activities that you can participate in with your children. Reflect on how these experiences can not only teach them about helping others but also foster a sense of gratitude and compassion.
- Consider Your Responses to Children’s Mistakes: Contemplate how you respond when your children make mistakes, like spilling milk or breaking something. Think about ways to show understanding and forgiveness, teaching them to extend the same kindness to others.
- Encourage Environmental Stewardship and Care: Reflect on activities that promote kindness to the environment and all its inhabitants, including plants and animals. Consider how teaching your children to care for their world can instill a broader sense of kindness and responsibility.
- Identify Daily Acts of Citizenship to Practice Kindness: Think about everyday situations where you can be a good citizen, like helping a neighbor or letting someone go ahead of you in line. Consider how these acts of kindness can be powerful teaching moments for your children about being considerate and thoughtful community members.
Suggested Questions To Ask Your Child:
- How do you think we can help someone today?
This question encourages the child to think about kindness as an active practice. It aligns with the article's suggestion of leading by example and engaging in acts of kindness, prompting the child to consider ways to be helpful and compassionate in their daily life.
- What are some things you are grateful for today?
This question fosters gratitude, a key aspect of kindness. It reflects the article's emphasis on showing children the power of positivity and being thankful for what they have, which can help nurture a kind and appreciative mindset.
- How did you feel when we volunteered at the [community event/place]?
This question relates to the article's point about volunteering together. It encourages children to reflect on their experiences of helping others, fostering a deeper understanding of compassion and community service.
- What can we do to take care of our environment?
This question is based on the article's suggestion to teach kindness towards the environment. It asks the child to consider actions that show care and respect for nature and animals, promoting environmental stewardship as a form of kindness.
- How should we respond when someone makes a mistake?
This question encourages a discussion about responding to mistakes with kindness and understanding, as recommended in the article. It teaches children to extend the same warmth and forgiveness to others that they would hope to receive themselves.
