Bullying has become increasingly prevalent and has detrimental effects on the health and wellbeing of Australia's kids. It's more important than ever to not only prevent bullying from happening but also teach children the power of empathy and kindness, and encourage them to be kind to others.
In this blog post, we'll explore practical strategies to build kindness in children from a young age. Whether you're a parent looking to raise compassionate and caring children or an educator seeking to cultivate a positive and supportive classroom environment, you'll find some hands-on tips on how to teach young children to be kind.
1. MODEL KIND BEHAVIOURS
Children learn by observing their parents and caregivers. You can show them what kindness looks like through your interactions and the way you treat others. Help out your neighbour, comfort someone going through a tough time, listen without making judgments, say thank you, or simply being polite and respectful.
It also means you need to treat your kids with the kindness you want to see in them. Listen to what they say, give them hugs, compliments and words of encouragement. If they have siblings, make sure you give them enough and equal love, praise, and attention.
2. ENCOURAGE ACTS OF KINDNESS
Provide opportunities for your child to practice kindness. This can involve volunteering together as a family, participating in kindness and anti-bullying projects and events like Do It For Dolly Day, or simply do random acts of kindness for friends, family, and strangers. This helps them match the abstract concept of kindness with tangible words and actions: sharing, volunteering, giving, supporting, listening, noticing, and more.
Encourage your kids to ask themselves, "What can I do to add kindness to the situation?" Avoid scolding your kids when they make mistakes (they're inevitable!). Instead, praise and reinforce their acts of kindness (say things like: "That's a very kind thing to do, I'm proud of you!") and help them understand the positive impact they can have on others' lives.
3. DISCUSS KINDNESS IN ENGAGING WAYS
Use real-life examples, stories, or news articles to illustrate the impact of kindness and the importance of helping others. You can also spark their imagination with role-playing scenarios, and fun games and activities.
Through these news, stories and games, help them understand other people's feelings and perspectives by encouraging them to imagine how others might feel in different situations, and consider the impact of their words and actions on others.
4. SHOW THEM THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF KINDNESS
Kindness feels good, for both the giver and receiver. Get your children to notice how it feels to be kind and how other people respond. At the same time, encourage them to express gratitude for the kindness they receive from people around them. Help them develop a habit of saying "thank you" and acknowledging the efforts of others. Kindness and gratitude go hand in hand, practicing them both will reinforce positive emotional growth in children.
When teach your child about kindness, it's important to take time to reflect with children on the kindness they have experienced and the impact it has had on them. This can help reinforce the importance of kindness and encourage them to continue spreading kindness to others. This is vital to putting an end to bullying and preventing its devastating impact on many Australian kids and families.
