Home » Tips for Teachers » 22 Engaging Kindness Activities for Elementary Students to Explore Empathy
22 Engaging Kindness Activities for Elementary Students to Explore Empathy
The acquisition of kindness emerges as a vital proficiency, assuming a paramount role due to its capacity to craft a favorable initial encounter and to manifest one’s emotional acumen. Its utility spans both individual and occupational milieus, operating as a conduit for communicating genuine concern for others in their entirety, rather than just instrumental objectives. Nonetheless, the cultivation of kindness demands deliberate instruction and observation, as opposed to an intrinsic proclivity.
Educators evince an affinity for imparting lessons in kindness through a spectrum of diverse undertakings:
What a wonderful way to wrap up a school year! 🎉 By decorating sleeves for their local coffee shop, 3rd and 4th graders learned to spread some kindness in their community, writes elementary school counselor Ms. Benitez. 🌈 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RMdBLDIYdz — edutopia (@edutopia) June 11, 2023
Outlined below are several student-oriented activities that offer effective avenues for initiating the practice of fostering compassion and commencing explorations into socio-emotional growth within the elementary classroom context.
So, the 22 kindness activities for elementary students I’ve chosen are:
And now let’s talk about each in details.
1. Clothespins
Difficulty level: Low
What Does It Teach: Organization and collaboration; hanging kind messages or achievements.
In this endeavor, students undertake the role of covert agents engaged in clandestine missions, tasked with identifying instances of kindness and positive attributes in their surroundings. Deliberations ensue, wherein students articulate affirmative characteristics they aspire to witness in fellow individuals. Subsequently, they inscribe these traits onto clothespins and proceed to affix them onto their peers who exemplify said qualities, effectuating an unobtrusive acknowledgment.
Through this covert observation, students exercise discernment and cognition, subtly acknowledging and reinforcing commendable attributes within their community. The deliberative phase, wherein traits are distilled, facilitates the refinement of value-based discernment. The physical act of attaching clothespins to exemplars of the identified traits nurtures a sense of recognition and camaraderie, whilst reinforcing collective positivity without direct proclamation. This mechanism cultivates an atmosphere wherein virtuous attributes become the fabric of daily interactions, fostering an ethos of mutual respect and amiable association.
Here’s a video showcasing creative ways to utilize clothespins in fostering kindness:
2. Kindness Calendar
What Does It Teach: Consistency, empathy, and planning; performing daily acts of kindness.
Initiate each class day by offering students an occasion to extend kindness towards their peers, thereby instilling a milieu characterized by benevolence. A calendar dedicated to this purpose encapsulates a myriad of recommendations, delineating avenues through which students can actively express kindness in their quotidian interactions. This practice consequently assumes significance as it integrates into the fabric of their existence, fostering an ethos where kindness becomes an integral aspect of their daily lives.
Discover a video guide on implementing a Kindness Calendar for meaningful engagement:
3. Paper Chain
What Does It Teach: Sequential thinking, cooperation, and visual representation; adding a link for each act of kindness.
Foster a dual achievement by generating a classroom embellishment while propagating kindness. Pupils partake in a process involving inscribing considerate notions onto paper strips. Subsequently, these articulated ideas are presented before the class audience. A subsequent action involves the assemblage of a paper chain, formed by the interlinking of these strips, to be suspended within the classroom space. The synergy of this endeavor lies in its amalgamation of creativity with the cultivation of empathetic behavior.
Through this process, students cultivate cognitive engagement, entailing the reflection upon and formulation of kind actions. The communal reading phase broadens the discourse, endorsing the exchange of these notions within the collective realm. The manifestation of these reflections as a paper chain introduces a visual and symbolic dimension, a manifestation of accumulated goodwill. Thus, this endeavor resonates as an embodiment of both artistic creation and ethical elevation, nurturing an environment wherein the concept and practice of kindness harmoniously coexist. Explore a video demonstration of crafting a collaborative paper chain to promote positivity:
4. Compliment Box
What Does It Teach: Observational skills, positivity, and self-esteem; sharing compliments and kind words.
Sustain an ongoing exchange of commendations through the introduction of an aesthetically pleasing compliment box, seamlessly integrated as a perennial presence within the classroom setting. Within this construct, students engage in the composition of complimentary remarks upon paper slips, subsequently depositing them within the designated repository. Converging upon a pre-established juncture, educators execute the role of conduits, disbursing these expressions of approval to their respective recipients.
This systematic enactment capitalizes on the cultivation of positive interactions. The compliment box serves as a nexus wherein the act of giving recognition assumes a tangible form, fostering a culture of appreciation. The written format engenders thoughtfulness and precision in articulating commendatory observations. The subsequent dissemination of these words of praise underlines the significance attributed to acknowledging and amplifying individual virtues.
The cyclical nature of this process perpetuates a continuous loop of affirmations, engendering an environment where mutual respect and constructive validation form the crux of interpersonal dynamics. In this configuration, the compliment box transcends its tangible presence to embody a conduit for the perpetuation of goodwill, thereby consolidating its role as a conduit for the nurturing of positive ethos.
Dive into a video presentation on how to establish a compliment box for fostering a culture of appreciation:
5. Kindness Jar
What Does It Teach: Gratitude, recognition, and intentionality; collecting and reading acts of kindness.
Students can visually record instances of kindness directed towards them through the utilization of a kindness jar. Employ colored pompoms as tangible symbols, with each individual pompom signifying a distinct act of kindness received. These tokens, when deposited, contribute to the gradual replenishment of the vessel. The cumulative effect of this action gradually populates the container, representing the accrual of affirmative interactions. This tactile method of representation encourages a heightened awareness of the benevolent gestures extended within their surroundings. As the jar progressively fills, students encounter a tangible manifestation of the goodwill they’ve encountered, cultivating an appreciation for the collective kindness inherent in their environment.
Uncover a video tutorial on setting up a kindness jar to encourage thoughtful gestures
6. Tic-Tac-Toe
What Does It Teach: Strategy, sportsmanship, and decision-making; playing a kindness-themed game.
Facilitate the engagement of elementary students in the cultivation of kindness within the realm of peer interactions, a pursuit actualized through a collaborative game structure. By articulating expressions of gratitude directed at their fellow classmates, participants actively embody the ethos of benevolence. This endeavor further adopts a competitive facet, wherein teams vie in the spirit of camaraderie. The culmination of this interaction yields a twofold gratification—an augmentation of enjoyment experienced during the contest and the nurturing of a sense of contentment as a consequence of the kindness conveyed.
Additionally, the strategic employment of a teaching assistant effectively diversifies the initiative. In such cases, parallel instances of the game unfold concurrently, thereby orchestrating a more expansive diffusion of student participation. This logistical arrangement enhances the interactive aspect, nurturing an inclusive environment where the ethos of kindness is widely propagated. As students articulate their gratitude and compete in unison, the activity resonates as a subtle yet impactful tool for character development and fostering positive social dynamics.
Witness a video discussion on integrating kindness into games like Tic-Tac-Toe for playful learning:
7. Fortune Teller
What Does It Teach: Creativity, engagement, and communication; generating kind messages in an interactive format.
In lieu of prognosticating the future, students engage in the creation of paper fortune tellers, a pursuit yielding a sequence of kindness-oriented actions. This engaging approach amalgamates the art of origami with the cultivation of benevolence, fostering an innovative interplay between creative expression and ethical engagement. The process culminates in the crafting of the paper fortune tellers, configured to unveil successive kind actions upon interaction.
The orchestrated construction of these devices seamlessly melds manual dexterity with intentionality. As students craft the fortune tellers, they bridge creative involvement with the anticipation of subsequent acts. The unfolding of each act introduces a sense of intrigue and curiosity, subtly challenging students to embrace a trail of kindness.
The amalgamation of craftsmanship and benevolence introduces an inventive twist to the conventional notion of fortune telling. The paper fortune tellers operate as tangible vessels of goodwill, encapsulating a cyclic journey of creation, interaction, and kindness. By navigating the successive layers, students acquaint themselves with diverse kindness acts, potentially reshaping their outlook and cultivating a proactive orientation toward benevolence.
Experience a video walkthrough on creating a fortune teller for acts of kindness:
8. Kindness Stones
Cost: Medium
What Does It Teach: Creativity, mindfulness, and generosity; painting or sharing decorated stones with kind words.
Students can engage their design aptitude by inscribing benevolent expressions onto stones, subsequently adorning them in a personalized manner. This creative process not only honours artistic acumen but also enlivens the stones as tangible repositories of goodwill. Following this artistic endeavor, students proceed to strategically place these adorned stones in locations where they envisage their discovery by others. The act is driven by the intention of brightening someone’s day upon encountering these unexpected tokens of kindness.
This activity encompasses multiple layers of engagement. Initially, the process of crafting the stones involves the fusion of language and art, fostering an imaginative alliance. The act of conceiving kind words not only exemplifies the value of verbal kindness but also introduces a tactile component through the stones. Subsequent to the artistic embellishment, the act of scattering these tokens becomes a conduit for initiating micro-ripple effects of positivity within the community.
Through this intervention, students bridge their creativity with an embodied gesture of benevolence. The recipient, upon stumbling upon these artifacts, experiences a surge of positivity, directly attributed to the kindness initiated by the students. Consequently, the endeavor unifies both creative and compassionate dimensions, affirming that a small artistic intervention can potentially resonate profoundly in the domain of human connections.
Delve into a video tutorial highlighting the significance ofkindness stones and how they can spread goodwill
9. Kindness Gift
What Does It Teach: Creativity, thoughtfulness, and giving; crafting or giving tokens of kindness.
Students manifest acts of kindness through the formulation of a gift box tailored for an individual of significance within their lives. This undertaking encompasses the amalgamation of crafting endeavors or the assembly of meaningful items, all intended to communicate the sentiment of appreciation to the intended recipient. The creative gesture acquires significance as it translates sentiments into tangible manifestations of goodwill.
By initiating this activity, students not only cultivate empathy but also actively engage in the process of tailoring a gesture aligned with the recipient’s individuality. The act bridges intentionality with materiality, wherein the items included reflect an understanding of the recipient’s preferences and interests. This intersection elevates the action from a conventional gift exchange to a more profound demonstration of thoughtfulness.
The action of presenting the gift box denotes an articulate expression of gratitude. Through this medium, students communicate their recognition of the recipient’s value, evoking a reciprocal appreciation. The act’s significance extends beyond the exchange, resonating as a testament to the fostering of genuine human connections. In essence, the initiative radiates as a holistic embodiment of kindness, rooted in understanding, creativity, and heartfelt expression.
Learn from a video demonstration on assembling a kindness gift, enhancing giving and empathy:
10. Kindness Oath
What Does It Teach: Commitment, responsibility, and values; pledging to engage in acts of kindness.
Students assume individual agency in formulating a personalized commitment by composing an oath that outlines their intentional pursuit of kindness. This endeavor bolsters not only introspection but also the cultivation of self-accountability in relation to kindness-oriented behaviors. Furthermore, the collective classroom entity partakes in the creation of a kindness pledge, a unified enumeration of specific actions that each student pledges to undertake for the betterment of the classroom milieu.
The crafting of personal oaths delves into the internalization of kindness as a guiding principle, as students delineate behaviors they genuinely aspire to adopt. This introspective exercise encourages self-reflection, fostering the transformation of benevolence from a vague concept into a concrete intention. Simultaneously, the collaborative formation of a classroom-wide kindness pledge accentuates the collective aspect of cultivating a congenial atmosphere.
The pledge’s compilation encapsulates a shared commitment to a harmonious classroom ambiance. By assigning specific actions to each student, it amalgamates diverse facets of kindness to holistically craft an environment characterized by mutual respect and empathy. The pledge transcends the realm of verbalized aspiration, metamorphosing into a tangible guidepost for behavior and interaction, consequently nurturing an ethos of collective benevolence.
Here’s a video about preschool sharing a kindness pledge, embracing the spirit of empathy from an early age:
11. Kindness Break
Difficulty level: Low
Cost: Free
What Does It Teach: Mindfulness, self-care, and stress reduction; taking a short break for self-kindness.
If additional time permits, an extended interval can be dedicated to a comprehensive lesson centered on kindness. A valuable resource in this regard is a video presentation that encapsulates an all-encompassing lesson plan, designed to effectively augment instances of unpremeditated benevolence within the classroom environment.
This video-based instructional approach encapsulates the requisite components for fostering a culture of kindness. The integration of diverse elements within the lesson plan cohesively contributes to the overarching objective of promoting spontaneous acts of kindness. The auditory and visual dimensions of the video medium enhance the lesson’s engagement potential, catering to varied learning styles.
Explore a video presentation on the benefits of incorporating kindness breaks into daily routines:
12. Class Brainstorm
What Does It Teach: Collaboration, communication, and inclusivity; generating and sharing kindness ideas.
Foster a collective endeavor within the student cohort, culminating in the communal deliberation on the attributes encapsulating kindness and the methods of demonstrating benevolence to others. Beyond instigating discourse centered on kindness, this collective introspection facilitates collaborative interaction, honing skills of effective communication and the articulation of responses to the thoughts of peers. This exercise further serves as an enduring classroom chart or anchor chart, poised to serve as a guiding reference over the course of the academic term.
The initiation of a class-wide dialogue concerning kindness entails multifaceted outcomes. The collective endeavor of defining the contours of kindness empowers students to collaborate, invoking the nuances of cooperation and interdependent thinking. Concurrently, the articulation of diverse viewpoints propels the cultivation of communication skills, exemplifying an avenue where students engage with the perspectives of others.
This collective process of constructing a visual representation, either as a chart or an anchor chart, encapsulates the essence of kindness within the classroom’s physical and intellectual domain. As an enduring artifact, it perpetuates the discourse on kindness, etching it into the educational environment as a constant reminder of the collaborative effort and shared ethos.
Participate in a video discourse on initiating a class brainstorm to collectively brainstorm kind actions:
13. Friendly Fridays
What Does It Teach: Routine, community-building, and consistency; designating a day for extra kindness.
The conclusion of the school week, particularly Fridays, is frequently marked by heightened anticipation as students and teachers alike look forward to the impending weekend. Channeling this prevailing enthusiasm, an initiative termed “Friendly Fridays” is introduced, capitalizing on this fervor as a catalyst for the cultivation of benevolence. This structured endeavor offers students a recurring platform to undertake acts of kindness aimed at others, thereby instilling a rhythm of positive actions within their weekly routine.
The strategic deployment of the excitement permeating Fridays capitalizes on its temporal correlation with the weekend. By aligning the initiative with this collective sentiment, “Friendly Fridays” is seamlessly integrated into the students’ psyche. The cyclic nature of the exercise not only sustains the weekly engagement with kindness but also reinforces the concept of consistency and continuity.
“Friendly Fridays” operates as a conduit for the cultivation of empathy and proactive behavior. This consistent cadence encourages students to actively contemplate opportunities for kind gestures, channeling their excitement into compassionate deeds. The resultant acts, both overt and subtle, exemplify the transformation of enthusiasm into a medium for fostering a culture of kindness. This venture transcends the realm of sentimentality, resonating as a practical and ethical pursuit within the educational milieu.
Discover a video insight into the impact of Friendly Fridays, where students engage in weekly acts of kindness:
14. Kindness from A to Z
What Does It Teach: Creativity, vocabulary, and exploration; associating kindness with different letters.
The process involves the communal reading of a designated book, followed by the allocation of a distinct letter to each student. Subsequently, students undertake the task of crafting an illustration inspired by the content encapsulated within the book’s narrative. The culmination of this creative endeavor unfolds as these illustrations are displayed within the classroom environment, where they collectively constitute a visual repository. This visual array embodies a compilation of 26 diverse expressions of kindness, intended to serve as a persistent mnemonic.
The mechanism facilitates dual functions—nurturing artistic exploration and fostering an ethos of benevolence. The combined engagement of literature and art not only enriches the students’ creative faculties but also bolsters the assimilation of kindness as a thematic construct. Furthermore, the public display of these illustrations transforms the classroom into an immersive visual medium, reinforcing the students’ exposure to varied dimensions of kindness.
This approach can also be seamlessly translated into the creation of a kindness-themed bulletin board. The expansion of the concept onto a more expansive canvas magnifies the visual impact, thereby perpetuating an environment suffused with the embodiment of kindness. This multi-faceted endeavor amalgamates artistic expression with the promotion of virtuous conduct, fashioning a tangible emblem of positive ethos within the educational sphere.
Here’s a read aloud video introducing the concept of kindness to preschoolers, fostering early understanding and empathy:
15. Be Kind to Yourself
Difficulty level: Medium
What Does It Teach: Self-awareness, self-compassion, and well-being; focusing on self-kindness.
The conventional perception of kindness revolves around its occurrence between individuals or groups, yet it is equally imperative to extend kindness towards oneself. The cultivation of self-kindness is a pivotal facet that warrants attention. Educators play a crucial role in imparting the means through which students can nurture a compassionate relationship with themselves.
Guiding students in the art of self-kindness is a process involving multifaceted dimensions. The pedagogical approach encompasses the cognitive and emotional spheres, facilitating self-awareness and self-compassion. Equipping students with tools to navigate self-kindness necessitates an amalgamation of psychological and practical strategies.
The cultivation of self-kindness, rather than being a mere concept, is a journey requiring cognitive and behavioral recalibration. Students are prompted to recognize the value of their well-being, infusing a sense of mindfulness into their daily routines. The process also encompasses the identification of negative self-talk and the fostering of affirming internal dialogue.
The teacher’s role transcends the academic realm, functioning as a guide in nurturing holistic well-being. By imparting the principles of self-kindness, educators facilitate the development of self-compassionate individuals who are equipped to navigate the intricate landscapes of both their internal worlds and external interactions.
Reflect on a video presentation advocating the significance of being kind to yourself as a foundation for kindness:
16. Kindness Quilt
Cost: Medium
What Does It Teach: Creativity, teamwork, and symbolism; contributing to a visual representation of kindness.
A quilt offers a poignant avenue to experience contentment stemming from acts of kindness. Students can harness this medium to craft individual quilts or contribute to a communal class quilt, collectively articulating the essence of kindness. By partaking in the construction of such a tangible artifact, students explore a sensorial engagement with the concepts they seek to portray. The quilt becomes a canvas where the essence of kindness is interwoven with fabric, materializing as a tangible emblem of their collective efforts. Through this creation process, students internalize the values they depict, forging a connection between the physicality of the quilt and the emotional resonance of kindness.
Witness a video guide detailing the process of crafting a kindness quilt as a visual embodiment of goodwill:
17. Science of Kindness
What Does It Teach: Critical thinking, exploration, and empathy; understanding the psychological and physiological effects of kindness.
Acts of kindness, whether initiated or received, exert a demonstrable influence upon the brain, eliciting positive responses and contributing to a sense of happiness. The dynamics at play within the brain in the presence of kindness form the focal point of a video presentation. The visual exploration delves into the neural processes that unfold during instances of kindness, either as an initiator or as a recipient.
The video’s narrative delves into the intricate interplay of neurochemicals and neural pathways underpinning the emotional and cognitive reactions to kindness. The cognitive and emotional dimensions are seamlessly intertwined within this exploration, rendering it a multi-dimensional educational tool.
Post-video engagement materializes in the form of reflection, whereby students internalize the content and relate it to their personal experiences and responses. This reflective practice nurtures self-awareness and empathy, bridging theory with the practical application within their interpersonal lives.
This educational approach capitalizes on visual and reflective components to stimulate cognitive engagement. The conceptualization of kindness as a neural trigger underscores its intrinsic link to human well-being. The cohesive narrative and post-viewing contemplation amplify the educational impact, resulting in an enriching exploration of the intricate relationship between kindness, brain functions, and emotional well-being.
18. Kindness Videos
What Does It Teach: Empathy, and communication; watching and discussing videos on kindness.
Contained within this website is an array of videos dedicated to the theme of kindness. These videos encompass an exploration of kindness’s significance alongside strategies for its cultivation among children. The pedagogical utilization involves the discretion of educators in selecting specific videos or opting for a comprehensive viewing of the entire series. Subsequent to the viewing experience, the cultivation of intellectual engagement is realized through organized discussions centered on the insights garnered from the videos.
The educational dimension of the videos is rooted in their thematic diversity. They encapsulate a panoramic spectrum, ranging from the conceptualization of kindness to its practical enactment within various contexts. The selection process allows teachers to align the videos with specific learning objectives or the unique needs of the student cohort.
Post-viewing discourse facilitates cognitive assimilation. Participants partake in the articulation of thoughts, impressions, and learnings gleaned from the videos. This platform nurtures the development of communication skills, analytical thinking, and the capacity to extrapolate knowledge from audiovisual stimuli.
The incorporation of these videos as an instructional resource seamlessly converges visual learning with thoughtful deliberation. The post-viewing dialogues effectively bridge theory with reflection, fostering a multi-dimensional approach to cultivating the ethos of kindness within the educational milieu.
Here’s a kindness-focused video designed to engage and inspire your students, illustrating the power of compassion in action:
19. Wheel of Kindness
Difficulty level: High
What Does It Teach: Engagement, decision-making, and spontaneity; spinning a wheel to determine a kind action.
Children have the opportunity to craft an exclusive “Wheel of Kindness” using this spinner design. The process entails cutting out the designated template, embellishing it in a personalized manner, and subsequently configuring it into a functional spinner apparatus. The ensuing dynamic unfolds as students partake in the act of spinning, resulting in the selection of a specific kindness-oriented endeavor to undertake.
The creation phase stimulates artistic engagement and lends the apparatus an individualized touch. The very act of constructing the spinner instills a sense of ownership and personal investment within the children. As the spinner revolves and designates a particular kind action, the engagement with randomness infuses an element of spontaneity into the enactment of kindness. This dynamic adds an unpredictably adventurous facet to the experience.
Beyond its entertainment value, the “Wheel of Kindness” bolsters the conscious cultivation of benevolence. The randomized selection of kind actions diversifies the spectrum of behaviors practiced, in turn nurturing a multifaceted understanding of kindness. This embodiment of thoughtful acts is a pivotal tool, imbued with the potential to subtly weave kindness into the daily fabric of young lives.
Experience a video showcase of the wheel of kindness, a dynamic tool for generating acts of goodwill:
20. Dance for Kindness
What Does It Teach: Expression, unity, and community involvement; dancing together for a common cause.
Within this video, an embedded song centered on kindness resonates, accompanied by a choreographed dance routine. The combination of auditory and kinesthetic elements renders this resource a dynamic avenue. Upon its presentation to children, it incites a spontaneous engagement wherein they readily embrace the song and partake in the corresponding dance. The auditory-kinesthetic convergence not only uplifts the classroom atmosphere but also introduces an enjoyable method of acquainting students with the concept of kindness.
The marriage of music and movement emerges as an effective pedagogical tool. The song’s lyrical content immerses children in the theme of kindness, employing rhythm and melody to foster an auditory connection with the concept. The dance component supplements this by channeling the theme into a physical expression, bolstering both engagement and retention.
As students internalize the song’s message and translate it into movement, they actively engage with the ethos of kindness. The integration of song and dance catalyzes a holistic sensory experience, embedding the theme within their consciousness. The collective engagement can facilitate peer bonding and create a shared memory, echoing the essence of kindness through the rhythm of music and coordinated movement.
21. Ripple Effect
What Does It Teach: Causality, interconnectedness, and empathy; understanding how small acts of kindness can create positive impacts.
The emergence of subsequent acts frequently follows a single act of kindness, initiating what is commonly referred to as the ripple effect. This phenomenon invites students to examine the concept firsthand through a tactile and contemplative engagement. Employing solely a receptacle containing water and a minor quantity of food coloring, this activity encourages students to immerse themselves in the exploration.
The interplay between actions and their consequences finds resonance within this endeavor. The tactile nature of dispersing food coloring within water allows students to witness the radial expansion—a physical manifestation akin to the ripple effect. This observation serves as a visual analogy to the manner in which a solitary act of kindness radiates across interactions.
Beneath the surface, this activity instigates cognitive reflection. Students are prompted to discern the broader implication, attributing the water’s dispersion to the interconnectedness of actions. The fusion of visual demonstration and cognitive contemplation augments comprehension of how a single gesture can initiate a continuum of positive consequences. This engagement amalgamates experiential observation and intellectual musing, encapsulating the essence of the ripple effect as a profound principle governing interpersonal dynamics.
Uncover a video narrative elucidating the ripple effect, highlighting the profound impact of small acts of kindness:
22. Edgar the Egg
What Does It Teach: Engagement, creativity, and empathy; caring for a “fragile” character to learn about kindness.
Facilitate Edgar’s emotional well-being through the application of kindness. Students engage in a visual experiment where an egg submerged in water transitions from sinking to floating when placed in another container filled with water infused with sprinkles of kindness (salt). This activity offers a tangible depiction of the transformative influence of benevolence upon an individual’s disposition.
The experiment introduces a tactile and empirical dimension to the concept of kindness. Through hands-on engagement, students connect the act of sprinkling kindness with a palpable transformation, an abstraction rendered into a concrete manifestation. The correlation between the egg’s response and the infusion of kindness promotes an understanding of the intrinsic potency of benevolent actions.
As students witness the shift from sinking to floating, they assimilate the metaphorical parallel that kindness possesses in altering a person’s emotional state. The practical demonstration accentuates the tangible outcomes of kindness, while fostering empathy by encouraging students to empathize with Edgar’s experience. The experiential aspect elevates the lesson from mere conceptual comprehension to embodied understanding, nurturing the capacity to wield kindness as an instrument of positive transformation.
Useful Resources
- 21 Day Kindness Challenge
- Kindness Lesson Plans
- 10 Books that Teach Kids to Be Kind
For those seeking to commemorate World Kindness Day or Random Acts of Kindness Day, a selection of Elementary school kindness activities awaits. These activities not only engage students but also cultivate vital social-emotional skills with enduring real-life applications. By aligning these activities with such occasions, educators not only enhance the educational experience but also instill values that transcend the classroom, contributing to holistic student development.
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10 Kindness Lessons and Activities for Elementary School
Whether you’re celebrating a week-long kindness themed week at your school or you’re looking for kindness activities to complete with just your class, I’ve got you covered!
It’s important that we explicitly teach empathy, kindness, and compassion to our students. We cannot assume they already know what these traits encompass. And sometimes, it’s just nice to have a reminder of what kindness entails.
1. Kindness Bulletin Board
At our school, we had a week-long celebration of kindness. We celebrated during the last week of February. Since Kindness Week fell closer to St. Patrick’s Day than Valentine’s Day (like the Great Kindness Challenge) we created a large school bulletin board to show that “Kindness is Golden.”
To help us create this board, teachers had their students write about different ways they could show kindness, using the sentence frames that were provided to them. The students wrote their sentence on gold coins. We used the coins to create a display at the front of our school.
Each morning of Kindness Week, we had our 6th grade student council representatives lead announcements over the loudspeaker about Kindness Week, our kindness challenge for the day, and a kindness quote.
We also worked as a school to reach 1,000 Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs). If teachers, yard aides, custodians, office staff, librarians, aides, administrators, or anyone from our school community caught students completing a random act of kindness (RAK), students earned a blue BEST Ticket. They wrote their RAKs on the back of the ticket and turned it into the office. We held a raffle every day and the winners got to choose a prize from our Be Your BEST treasure box.
Here’s an example of another kindness bulletin board we displayed at our school! Click here to get the titles, hearts, and coins for your school.
2. How Full is Your Bucket?
Watch the YouTube version of How Full is Your Bucket?
Or if you have the actual book you can read it instead.
Lead the class in a discussion about what it means to fill someone’s bucket.
Create a class chart of ways we can fill each other’s bucket as friends, family members, students, etc. You can have students follow along using the graphic organizer . They’ll need to use these ideas later for writing on a bucket.
Students can share and discuss ideas for filling buckets.
Finally, students can write down different ways they will fill buckets onto these buckets .
3. Make Joy Happen
Start by showing this short clip to students, Make Joy Happen . Try to start it by not prefacing it with anything.
After watching the clip, gather students’ ideas about what they think the video is showing or trying to explain. There are multiple messages:
- Treat others the way you want to be treated
- Understand other people’s perspectives (empathy)
- Spread kindness and get kindness in return
During the discussion, make an anchor chart of students’ ideas.
Then have students share ideas with partners and provide students with sentence frames. You can write the sentence frames on the anchor chart.
Ex. The message is __ because __
When ___ then ___
Because __ then __
The meaning of __ is __
After discussion, you can have students use this recount graphic organizer to explain what the video was about.
Have students connect the video to their own lives based on recent experiences or ways they can show kindness based on what they saw in the video.
Ex. sentence frames:
A connection I can make is ___
Based on the __ I can ___
4. Wrinkled Heart Activity
You’ll need to cut out a giant heart from construction paper for this activity. Or you can print this one onto pink or red paper. It has a nice rhyming phrase that can be displayed after you complete the activity.
Show students the heart and ask students to share examples of unkind actions (school appropriate). If they feel comfortable enough, they can also share real-life experiences they may have had at school. As each unkind experience is shared, fold the heart. Keep folding the heart for each unkind gesture until the heart is completely folded. Then ask students to share positive experiences and kind gestures. For each positive experience or a kind gesture, unfold the heart. Complete the sharing until the heart is complete unfolded and open.
The visual of the heart is an explanation that when unkind things happen it can hurt our hearts (the folds in the heart). As we experienced kindness and forgiveness, our heart opens back up but it is still wrinkled symbolizing that even if we apologize for unkind actions, our unkind actions can still leave a negative mark on someone’s heart.
Give students a smaller heart and have them write different ways they can be kind.
With my class, I read a story (that I wrote) about a boy name Troy. He was having a bad day, and each time something unkind happened to him, I folded his heart. When we were done reading the story, we went back and thought of different things that could have happened to help his heart. You can find the story here .
5. Stand in My Shoes
Have students listen to the story Stand in My Shoes .
After listening to the story, tell students that empathy is the ability to understand and share feelings with another. Then ask students examples of empathy they saw in the video.
If you need to, go back and watch certain parts again to really understand the examples shown in the story.
Create an anchor chart to chart your ideas about empathy.
Use these shoes to have students write about what it means to walk in another’s shoes. They can write in the bottom part of the shoe and then decorate the shoe.
6. Color Your World with Kindness
Show this video, Color Your World with Kindness , and discuss the main idea and what happens throughout the video.
Explain that kindness is spread from one to another, like a domino effect.
Have students brainstorm (aloud or on paper) ideas on how they can be kind. You can have a brief class discussion on their choices.
Explain to students that being kind and showing acts of kindness is a way of living. Explain that there are different quotes that help us remember to stay kind and give us the motivation to continue the kindness chain of events. Give students the kindness quotes . Ask students to pick a quote they identify with the most. Have students write the quote on the bottom of the self-portrait page, and then they can draw themselves holding the quote. Here is an example . If you would like, you can have students type the quote, print out the paper and then draw their self-portrait. You can find the template here .
7. The Olive Branch
Show this video, Olive Branch , and discuss what it means to feel like either character.
Read the Compassionate Informational Text and annotate with the annotation bookmark .
Guide students through the annotation, and hold a discussion while annotating.
After annotating with students, ask the discussion question s. Have students answer the questions (as a whole group or with A/B partners) using their discussion frames.
8. Enemy Pie
Show students the story Enemy Pie and have them use the graphic organizer to determine the central message of the story. Pause at important moments in the story to have students discuss which important details they’re writing down.
After listening to the story, discuss the implications of kindness, compassion, and assuming best intentions.
Students can have A/B conversations using their graphic organizer to discuss the central message.
9. What Would You Do?
Read the “ What Would You Do ?” scenarios and discuss student responses in a whole group format. You can also break the students up into groups to discuss the scenario cards. These would be great cards to use during a morning meeting or during a circle time with your class.
Discuss that making kind choices and being kind is the key to all of their answers.
10. Celebrate Diversity
Celebrate diversity with your class by reading about different languages, cultures, and beliefs. The National Education Association has a great list of diverse stories you could read to your class. Choose one book daily and hold a read aloud. You can even take suggestions from your students about their favorite books that represent their family’s culture.
Here is a list of my favorite books that celebrate diversity. You can click the affiliate link to find it on Amazon.
Island Born
Alma and How She Got Her Name
Malala’s Magic Pencil
Marvelous Cornelius
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach
My Name is Yoon
Immi’s Gift
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42 Kindness Activities For Elementary Students: Discussions, Modeling, Crafts, And Ideas
October 28, 2023 // by Stephanie Stanglin
Being kind is one of the most critical skills that people need to know because it makes the best first impression and shows emotional intelligence. It helps in personal and professional settings, and lets people know that you care about them as human beings, not just about what you need from them. However, kindness is something that needs to be learned and seen, it does not just happen naturally. The following activities for students are great ways to get kids started with killing people with kindness and start with social-emotional learning in the elementary classroom. This post includes affiliate links.
Discussions
1. class brainstorm.
Have your students decide as a class what kindness looks like and how they can show kindness to others. Not only does this start the conversation around being kind, but it also teaches them to work together, communicate their thoughts, and express responses to others’ thoughts. This can be used as a classroom chart (or anchor chart) throughout the year.
Learn More: PCDN.co
2. Kindness Discussion Prompts
This activity can be used in morning meetings where each day has a new discussion prompt. Pull a new one out every day and ask students to reflect on the question or statement; it can also increase their emotional intelligence.
Learn More: Coffee And Carpool
3. Reflection
Use this digital resource made by a teacher to talk to children about kindness, and what it looks and feels like. After they have had a chance to write their reflections, have them share and discuss them with the rest of the class, highlighting positive behaviors.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
4. The Red Umbrella
Read this picture book about kindness aloud to students and they will hear about a red umbrella that is demonstrating kindness to everyone they meet. Have students reflect on what they heard and what they can do in their own lives, perhaps writing on sticky notes and placing them around the room. This is sure to become one of their favorite books.
Learn More: Think Grow Giggle
5. The Smallest Girl
This book is about being kind to and standing up for, others, no matter how big or small you are. Read this book aloud and students reflect on times people have been kind to them and vice versa.
Learn More: What Do We Do All Day
6. Science of Kindness
Being kind to someone, or having someone be kind to you, actually affects our brain in a positive way and makes us happy. This video walks through what happens in the brain when kindness is present (either giving or receiving), and after, students can reflect on their reactions to what they saw.
Learn More: Randomactsofkindness
7. Kindness Videos
This website has a series of videos all about kindness, its importance, and how kids can practice it. Pick a couple (or show them all!) and have a discussion about what they learned from the videos.
Learn More: Jodi Durgin
8. Choose Kindness
This organization creates resources for everyone to celebrate World Kindness Day (November 13th). This particular resource is a PowerPoint about why kindness is so important, and it can lead to a discussion with students about why they think it is important to be kind.
Learn More: Twinkl
9. Clothespins
Your students will act like spies on a secret mission when they go out looking for others who are being kind or exhibiting another positive trait. Have students discuss positive traits they would want to see in others, then write each one a clothespin and have them put the clothespins on others when they see them representing that trait.
Learn More: Instagram
10. Write Notes of Kindness
Want to avoid having to put objects on other people? Have students write positive notes on kindness cards or notes of appreciation to give to others who have been kind to them.
11. Kindness Calendar
Start every day of class with an opportunity to be kind to others and build a culture of kindness! This calendar has numerous suggestions for how students show kindness on a daily basis, making it an important part of their lives.
Learn More: Teach Starter
12. Compliment Box
Keep the compliments flowing with this beautiful compliment box being a permanent fixture in the classroom. Students can write compliments on slips of paper and put them into the box, and then a certain point in time, teachers can pass them out to the recipients.
13. Kindness Challenge
Create a sense of healthy competition and practice social skills by having students complete this free sheet of ways to be kind as fast as they can. Just make sure they are reflecting on the acts they are doing, not just marking them off the list!
Learn More: The Pathway 2 Success
14. Kindness Gift
Have students demonstrate kindness by creating a gift box for someone special in their life. They can make crafts or bring stuff to put in the box, and this printout can go on the box to let the recipient know that they are appreciated.
Learn More: Thirty Handmade Days
15. Be Kind to Yourself
Kindness is typically thought about happening between two or more people, but it is also important to be kind to yourself. This lesson plan walks through the importance of self-kindness using a PowerPoint and guided meditation.
Learn More: School Of Kindness
16. Spin for Kindness
Kids can make their very own wheel of kindness with this spinner! Have them cut it out, decorate it, and make it into a spinner, then watch them as they spin to determine what act of kindness they should do.
17. Tic-Tac-Toe
Have elementary students practice kindness towards their classmates by expressing why they are grateful for them in this cooperative game. They will have fun competing in teams and walk away feeling happy – a double win! If you have a teaching assistant, you have two games going at once to spread out the students.
Learn More: Random Acts Of Kindness
18. Lend a Helping Hand
A great opportunity for students to practice kindness is to give back to others, especially their teachers or other helpful adults. This activity has students identify who they want to help, ask them what they can do to give them a helping hand, and then do that action.
19. Friendly Fridays
Fridays can be so difficult in the classroom because everyone (teachers included!) is so excited for the weekend. Use this excitement to introduce Friendly Fridays, an opportunity for kids to something kind for someone else on a weekly basis.
Learn More: Edutopia
20. Kindness Jar
Have students show when someone was kind to them by having them use a kindness jar. Use colored pompoms where each one represents a kind action, and they can keep filling until their cup (jar) is full.
Learn More: Carrots Are Orange
21. Make a Game Plan
It is important to make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to learning and practicing kindness. This series of steps is helpful for students, families, and communities to get off on the right foot in their kindness journey.
Learn More: We Teach Kindness
22. Ideas of Kindness
Need ideas for your own kindness calendar or random acts of kindness week? This resource offers 20 ideas for ways you can incorporate kindness in your classroom and in your students.
Learn More: Mom Junction
23. Kindness Quilt
What better way to feel happy about being kind than a cozy quilt? Students can use this resource to make their own quilt, or to contribute to a class quilt, about the meaning of kindness.
24. Paper Chain
Create a classroom decoration and spread kindness – a double win! Kids will write down ideas of how to be kind on strips of paper, read them out to the class, and then form a paper chain to hang up in the classroom.
Learn More: Twitter
25. Kindness from A to Z
Read this book aloud, assign each student a letter, then have them make an illustration based on what was in the book. After they are done, post them in the classroom, serving as a visual reminder of 26 ways to be kind. This can also be done to make a kindness bulletin board.
Learn More: Amazon
26. Kindness Stones
Have students get their design skills with writing kind words on stones and decorating them. They can then place them anywhere they think someone will find them and make that person’s day.
Learn More: Coffee Cups And Crayons
27. Fortune Teller
Instead of predicting the future, have students make these paper fortune tellers that result in performing acts of kindness. It is a fun way for students to make something and see how many tries it takes to get all of the acts.
28. Kindness Journal
Practice kindness while playing a game of telephone. This journal has random acts of kindness and requires the person to complete one before passing it to the next person who continues the cycle. See how many people this go through and how many acts of kindness it inspires.
Learn More: Etsy
29. Be Kind Break
This online project is a series of videos, activities, and lessons to teach children about kindness. Sign up at the link for multiple pre-planned activities that are sure to have your students beginning for opportunities to be kind.
Learn More: YouTube
30. The Compassion Project
Looking for something robust, say, 24 activities in one place? The Compassion Project is just that and offers offline and digital activities for kids to engage with over time.
Learn More: Everfi
31. Every Living Thing
This is a collection of short stories, each one about kindness. Split up students into small groups, assign each group one of the stories, and have them read their assigned story. After, the groups should create and deliver a presentation about the plot of the story and what they learned from it.
32. Pumpkin SPICE
Fall is the perfect time for this activity where students explore the acronym “SPICE”, which revolves around different ways to be kind. Add a little spice to your classroom, get ready for fall, and teach kids about being kind – a triple win!
Learn More: Counselor Keri
33. Lend a Hand
This is a collection of poems about kindness. Have students read two or three poems, then write their own about being kind to others. Challenge students to actually follow through on the kind actions they write about.
34. Ripple Effect
One act of kindness can often lead to other acts, and the ripple effect begins. Have students explore this idea in this hands-on and mindful activity using only a bowl of water and some food coloring, and watch their minds be blown.
35. Kindness Break
Have more time to do a whole lesson on kindness? Use this lesson plan which involves reading and reflecting on a book and practicing saying kind things to others.
Learn More: Autism Speaks
Have even more time? Try this unit on teaching kids about caring that consists of four lessons and two projects that they can engage with. This will certainly up the kindness game in the classroom.
Learn More: Health Unit
37. Random Acts of Kindness Week
Spend a whole week teaching kids about kindness with this excellent resource made by an elementary school counselor. This website has detailed lesson plans and activities that showcase kindness, including those differentiated for various grade bands.
Learn More: Elementary School Counseling
38. Acts of Kindness Worksheets
This company that focuses on Social Emotional Learning made a whole series of worksheets and activities that teach kids about being kind. As a bonus, kids will also start to learn about empathy!
Learn More: Centervention
39. Kindness Activities
Kindness activities can also be educational and tie in with academic standards. Study.com published this list of kindness activities that has students working their brain and their heart.
Learn More: Study.com
40. Practice Self-Kindness
This site is made by an elementary teacher who wanted her students to practice being kind to themselves in addition to others. There are a variety of activities, big and small, that will get students on the path to appreciating themselves.
Learn More: SSS Teaching
41. Edgar the Egg
Help Edgar be happy by sprinkling kindness on him! Students see an egg sinking in water and add sprinkles of kindness (salt) to another jar of water where he can then float in happiness. This is a great way for students to visualize how being kind to someone can change them.
Learn More: Whole Child Counseling
42. Dance for Kindness
This video includes a song about kindness, and there is even a dance to go with it! Play this for kids and they will be singing and dancing about kindness before you know it.
Learn More: KindnessSG
21 Kindness Activities for Kids
The world needs more kindness, and we can foster it in our kids through fun activities and games.
Kindness is one of the most important attributes we can help our kids learn. The best part is that it doesn’t take much teaching. Kids are hard-wired for kindness. They might just need a gentle reminder of what is already inside them.
How to Teach Kindness
Being kind and being nice are two different things. If we want our kids to learn empathy and kindness, we must help them understand what it is all about. The best way to teach kindness is to model it.
“You can’t be what you can’t see” – Marian Wright Edelman
Saying thank you and respecting our children is a way to teach kindness . When we make space for their big emotions and offer them empathy, we show them what kindness looks like. Being kind takes intention, and we can cultivate that through fun activities.
21 Inspiring Kindness Activities for Kids of All Ages
Kindness is a powerful value that children can learn from an early age, and it helps shape their relationships and the world around them. From kindergarten to elementary students, engaging them in kindness activities or games allows them to experience the joy of helping others, understanding empathy, and building a sense of community.
1. Kindness Journal
This activity is great for older kids who might need extra motivation in the kindness department. Adolescence is tricky to navigate. It is invaluable to give your teen the tools they need to examine their emotions and actions.
Fostering an attitude of kindness will stand your child in good stead as they grow.
A few writing prompts could be:
- What was the last kind thing I did for someone?
- What does kindness mean to me?
- How could I help someone in need?
You can adapt this activity for younger kids so they can form the habit of keeping a journal. For example, smaller kids can draw acts of kindness rather than writing.
2. Group Games
The smile game.
This kindness activity works well with preschoolers. Draw a smiley face on a ball or bean bag. Put on some upbeat music and get the kids to throw the smiley face at each other. Whoever is holding the smiley face when the music stops has to say something kind to members of the group.
The goal is to make them smile. Put a 15-second timer on, and the child scores a point for every smile they get. Games like this teach kids the power of saying something nice.
If You’re ‘Something’ and You Know It
This is a great game to make kids aware of the facial expressions associated with emotions.
You sing it to the tune of “If you’re happy and you know it”, and you can insert different emotions. The kids will then have to make the corresponding facial expression.
This helps kids name, identify and respond to different feelings. It is a fun game to encourage empathy and teaches children how to show kindness.
Related: 15 Fun Pen and Paper Games
3. Kindness Tree
A kindness tree is a great visual representation of your kids’ acts of kindness.
You can make it out of paper, stick it on the wall, or use a branch. Each time your kids perform a kind act, they can write it on a leaf and add it to the tree.
A fun idea is to have them write how those acts made them feel on flowers and fruit. They can add these to the tree as a reminder that kindness leads to positive emotions.
4. Books and Skits
Teaching kindness through reading can go a long way, particularly with younger kids.
Here are some amazing books about kindness for kids:
- Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer
- The Nice Book by David Ezra Stein
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
- Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers
- My Heart by Corinna Luyken
You can use these books as inspiration for skits and role-play. These will help reinforce the message of kindness.
5. Donations
Donating food, toys, clothes, and diapers is an important kindness activity for kids. It teaches them about people outside their immediate sphere and gives them a sense of community.
Helping others is a great way for kids to see the real and direct effects of kindness. Seeing the joy it brings will encourage them to keep it up.
6. Growing a Plant
Growing a seed is an easy way for kids to get hands-on experience with kindness. Nurturing a seed takes care, thoughtfulness, patience, and love. These are all qualities that we want our kids to practice.
The kids can decorate their pots with a kind saying or action. You can encourage them to say one kind thing to their plants daily. Some kids might find it easier to say something kind to a plant before they start saying something kind to others.
7. Daily Kindness Affirmations
Doing kind acts for others is important, but so is being kind to yourself. Positive affirmations are essential for kids, so why not add kindness affirmations to your morning routine? If kids can feel positive about themselves, they will find it easier to be kind to others.
Here are 5 kindness affirmations for your morning routine:
- Kindness lives in me
- I choose kind words
- Being kind makes me feel good
- I can change someone’s day with kindness
- I stand up for others
Related: 1 15 Positive Affirmations for Kids
8. Kindness Coupons
Kindness coupons are a practical way for kids to practice being kind daily. They can have a coupon booklet filled with thoughtful acts they can do for their friends.
Not only will it get kids involved with being kind, but it will also show them that kindness is contagious. The fact that it makes you feel good is a bonus.
9. Kindness Coloring Pages
Coloring pages with kindness affirmations are a fun way of teaching kindness. They are creative and fun, and you can pin them up afterward as a colorful reminder. Younger children can have coloring pages of kind acts which are relatable and practical. Related Resources: 12 Free Printable Kindness Coloring Pages
10. Random Acts of Kindness Mailbox
A random act of kindness mailbox is a fun idea that gets the whole family involved.
Write a list of kind acts on pieces of paper and post them into the mailbox at the start of the week. Then each family member can pick as many acts as they want to perform throughout the week. This kindness activity teaches children that being kind to others is a family affair.
Here are some ideas:
- Help clean up without asking
- Give someone a compliment
- Text a funny meme
- Make someone else’s bed
- Pack away the groceries
- Pick up litter
11. Kindness Worm
You can have a kindness worm at home or in the classroom. Start the beginning of the year with just a head and add on body segments as your kids do kind acts.
A worm is a great way for your kids to see kindness in action as the worm gets longer. The fun part is there is no limit on the number of segments you can add. The worm will just get longer and longer.
12. Kindness Bingo
This fun kindness activity works for the whole family and encourages kindness throughout the month.
Each family member can get their own bingo sheet filled with kindness ideas. They can cross off the acts as they complete them. The first person to complete the chart gets a prize.
You could also have a family chart rather than individual ones. That way, you can include more significant acts, and your kids can see you modeling kindness. It is a simple way to create a culture of kindness in your home.
Related: 19 Family Game Night Ideas
13. Kindness Songs
Singing is good for your soul and makes you happy. It is also something most kids love to do, so adding some kindness songs to your morning circle is sure to be a hit. Songs are also a catchy way for kids to remember important messages.
Here are some kindness song ideas for kids that are sure to get everyone up and moving:
- It’s Easy To Be Kind
- Kindness by the Juicebox Jukebox
- Kindness is Free
- Kindness Dance: Kindness Is Up To Us
- Compassion Song
14. Smiling Challenge
This activity to teach kindness is a fun one for kids of all ages. Challenge your kids to smile at ten strangers to see who smiles back.
Smiling is infectious and spreading happiness and positivity is an act of kindness we could all do more of.
15. Kindness Bookmark
The more we expose our kids to kindness, the more likely they are to internalize it.
Kindness bookmarks are great for your family read aloud and make thoughtful gifts. You can add pressed flowers and leaves and laminate them or use contact. Your kids can even keep a stash of bookmarks in the car, leave some at the library, or hand them out at the park.
Related: Printable Coloring Bookmarks for Every Readers
16. Check-In Time
So often, we get caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to check in on the people closest to us. Having a daily check-in will teach your child to be more aware of other people’s feelings. You can chat to your kids about how they are feeling and find out how they are doing.
Knowing their feelings are valid and accepted will help them be more understanding and accepting of others.
17. Kindness Spotlight
Each week choose a famous person who has demonstrated kindness. Giving kids a big picture view of how kindness has a ripple effect is powerful. Using real-life examples also gives your kids a positive role model to look up to.
An act of kindness can change the world and that is an impactful message to teach your kids.
18. Kindness Jar
This is an excellent activity for the classroom or at home. All you need is a jar, tub, bucket, really anything. You can also choose what you fill your kindness jar with. It could be pompoms, paper, rocks, you name it.
You can even print a jar picture and add stickers to it. A printable jar allows you to stick it anywhere, move it around, or give one to each child.
The goal is to add to the jar every time someone does a kind act until it is full. Then you can get a reward as a class or family. A kindness jar teaches accountability and kindness. It also helps kids work together as they try to be more kind to each other.
19. Talking About Your Fears
Part of being kind is being empathetic. Talking about fears can work at home or in a classroom setting. Being vulnerable enough to discuss their concerns teaches kids to be kind to themselves and others.
20. Volunteer
Acts of community service are practical ways for kids to experience the joy of being kind. For example, you can visit a retirement home, walk dogs, or help at the local soup kitchen.
These are helpful ways for kids to understand the importance of kindness. They are also helpful actions that really make a difference.
21. Kindness Calendar
If everyone needs an extra nudge to remember to be kind then a Kindness Calendar is a great family activity.
You can have a kindness calendar for each month or choose a couple of months of the year. Pick a different act of kindness for each day of the month. They can be small things that each member of the family can complete on their own or they can be bigger family projects.
Kindness is Contagious, So Get Spreading
Kindness is a wonderful quality, and we should all aim to incorporate more of it into our lives. The world could certainly use more kindness.
Teaching kindness to kids can take the form of fun activities, games, and songs, but most importantly, everyday actions. Kindness is something we can control, so take the time to spread some joy and watch as your kids do the same.
Welcome to Kindness 101!
CBS News and CHARACTER COUNTS! are proud to present Kindness 101, a collection of complimentary K-12 lessons to teach character, social-emotional, and academic skills.
Each lesson features a short video originating from CBS News’ On the Road series with Steve Hartman. Students and educators easily connect to t he heartwarming and inspirational stories featured in the videos.
Along with the video, we’ve provided activities, discussion and journal prompts, family connections, and a Google Slides deck. You may even find lessons written by teachers at schools near yo u!
Get Started
Choose a topic.
Lessons are categorized into three topics: Character Skills, Social-Emotional Skills, and Academic Skills. Click on Activities and Lessons in the menu, and then you can filter to choose which topic or skill you’d like to teach.
Make It Work for You
While the lessons are written for K-12 students, you may find it helpful to adapt the lesson for your students’ learning objectives. Plus, the journal questions offer K-5 and 6-12 options.
Use any combination of the video, activity, or discussion and journal prompts to meet your educational goals. This flexibility also accommodates time constraints.
Heartwarming and inspirational videos from Steve Hartman’s “On the Road” series highlight stories about kindness, character, and the people who have mastered these important qualities.
Each lesson includes a short activity to help students apply what they learned from the video.
Discussion prompts help further the concept.
Through journal prompts, students can reflect on their own individual character.
Family Connections
Character is first taught at home. Including families in these Kindness 101 lessons will extend their positive impact on students. Family Connections include a link to the video, discussion prompts, and family activities.
Each Family Connection is available within the web lesson and as a PDF. You can share the Family Connection however is most convenient for you and your students’ families. For example, you could attach the Family Connection to an email, like a weekly newsletter, or send it through a family communication app.
We’ve Done the Prep for You
The Google Slides Are Ready
Each lesson has an accompanying Google Slides deck with the discussion and journal prompts. This is an optional resource for you to use as you see fit. You could project it during class or post it in an online classroom for students to complete independently.
Just Download the Handouts
The handouts have been created for you! Any handouts will be linked in the Materials section of the lesson.
Contact us if you need ideas or assistance implementing the lessons. We’re happy to help!
“Steve Hartman’s stories have been the heart and soul of all the SEL I’ve done with high school seniors.”
– Jeff B.
“I use the Kindness 101 videos to drive my morning meetings! My kids love them!”
– Carol F.
“My students have been watching these videos all year, and I have truly seen a change in my students. I cry most days because the videos are so touching, but my students love them, and so do I!”
– Kristyn M.
Choose a lesson and get started!
Retrospection – North Carolina Teacher Helps Fifth-Graders Make History
Support – Texas High School Basketball Team Gets Unlikely Support
Modeling Character – How a Maine 8-Year-Old Inadvertently Became a Fashion Trendsetter at His School
Confidence – teen born without legs makes basketball team, featured topic: respect.
Stand up to Bullying
Respecting Cultural Differences
Kindness – How a Simple Act of Kindness Transformed a Boy’s Birthday
Generosity – Ohio Boy Turns Found Fortune Into an Act of Kindness
About the Topics
Trustworthiness Have integrity, be honest, keep promises, and be loyal to your values
Respect Show acceptance and respect for others
Responsibility Be accountable for actions, show perseverance and self-discipline
Fairness Be open-minded, don’t take advantage of others, play by the rules
Caring Show compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness
Good Citizenship Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others
When students develop character skills, they’ll be more likely to achieve their personal, school, and career goals and become engaged, responsible, and productive citizens. You’ll notice more:
- respectful and civil conversations,
- kindness and consideration,
- acceptance of others,
- accountability, and
- commitment to your school community.
Learn more about the Six Pillars of Character .
Self-Awareness Identify and understand emotions, values, attitudes, motivations, mindsets, and personal attributes
Self-Management Regulate emotions, attitudes, and actions, and manage negative emotions and impulses
Relationship Skills Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers
Responsible Decision-Making Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness
Social Awareness Assess and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others
When students develop social-emotional skills, they’ll be more likely to develop positive, healthy relationships, manage their emotions, and make good choices. You’ll notice more:
- healthy and respectful friendships,
- fewer disruptions during class,
- more positive choices, and
- better communication between students and educators.
Critical and Creative Thinking Acquire, remember, understand, and apply knowledge
Curiosity and Passion Enthusiastic to understand more about themselves, others, and the world around them
Diligent Learner Exhibit a growth mindset and willingness to learn from mistakes
Effective Problem Solving Make rational, ethical, and effective decisions to find the best solutions to problems
Self-Direction and Engagement Fully engaged in the educational process and connected to the school community
When students develop these skills, they can reach their intellectual and academic potential. You’ll notice:
- improved student performance,
- increased academic integrity from students (less cheating and plagiarizing), and
- students who are more prepared for college and careers .
Learn more about character, social-emotional, and academic skills.
Share Your Ideas with Other Educators!
Join the CBS News Kindness 101 Facebook Group to share ideas with others.
More Resources to Help Teach Character
Introduction to character counts.
Join us December 5, 10am – 1pm (CST) for an online Introduction to CHARACTER COUNTS! workshop.
Our team of professional educators will teach you the basic principles of CHARACTER COUNTS! and how to:
- teach, enforce, advocate, and model good character.
- define what the Six Pillars of Character look like in your classroom, school, or organization.
- implement the best practices of our new Kindness101.com videos and lessons.
- create a school or organizational culture that promotes positive relationships, connection, and sense of belonging.
You’ll also receive an implementation planning guide and free resources to help you get started.
Register early for a discounted rate! Click here for more information and to register .
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(C) 2024 The Ray Center at Drake University is proud to be the home of CHARACTER COUNTS! CHARACTER COUNTS!, the Six Pillars of Character, and Pursuing Victory with Honor are trademarks of the Josephson Institute. CHARACTER COUNTS! was founded by Michael Josephson through the Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics.
Firstieland - First Grade Teacher Blog
Where learning feels like play.
30 Fun & Easy Kindness Activities For Elementary
Let's be honest – kids aren't always nice to each other. If fighting, tattling and arguing have become a problem in your elementary classroom, it might be time to teach a little kindness. Fostering kindness is a great way to promote positive behavior, create a welcoming classroom culture, and instill lifelong values in young students. If you're ready to get started, here are 30 kindness activities for elementary students that you can try today.
Page Contents
Classroom Kindness Activities For Elementary Students
1. kindness jar challenge.
Encourage students to perform kind acts and write them down on slips of paper. Students can also make note when they see another student who is being kind. Collect these notes in a kindness jar and celebrate read them aloud with your class at the end of each week.
2. Sticky Notes of Encouragement
Distribute a few sticky notes to students, and have them write kind words or compliments for their classmates. Encourage them to leave these notes on desks or in lockers as a special surprise to someone in their class. This can help spread positivity and kindness throughout your classroom. Teachers can also leave sticky notes of encouragement for their students too.
Choose 3 kids each day to uplift with a special note. This doesn't have to take a lot of time. Spend one or two minutes each day writing quick messages to 3 kids and put them on their desk to find when they come into class. Young children will be excited to see who got a note each and and you can build a culture of kindness in your classroom.
3. Kindness Scenarios
One of the best ways to help children learn about kindness is by showing them different kindness scenarios and discussing how they could act in that situation. Often times, kids don't think about what they will do until they are thrust into a situation. Talk to students about different topics ahead of time like how to welcome new kids to class, what to do if you see someone without a friend on the playground, sharing toys, etc. This will help them be prepared when something like this arises in the classroom and they will know how to be kind.
4. Kindness Calendar
Create a monthly kindness calendar with daily challenges for students. These challenges should be easy enough for students to do on their own without any help from an adult. Each day, during your classroom morning meeting, review the calendar to see what new ideas students can do to be kind. The activities can range from complimenting a friend to helping a teacher with a task. It's a great way to instill the concept of kindness as a daily practice.
5. Kindness Rocks Project
A fun way to show kindness is to make special kindness rocks for friends or strangers. Provide students with small rocks and art supplies. You can gather rocks from your playground or head to your local craft store for small flat rocks. Students can paint positive messages or kind images on the rocks and share them with a friend. Another idea is to hide them on the playground for another child to find. Students can also make kindness rocks to take them home for a family member.
6. Kindness Cards
Add kindness cards or nice notes to your writing center. Whenever students witness a kind act, they can write it down on a nice note and give it to their friend. This not only acknowledges positive behavior but also reinforces the importance of recognizing and appreciating kindness.
7. Kindness Journals
A great idea is to add kindness journals to your daily writing routine. Give students different writing prompts about how they could be kind in different situations. They can also write about when they were kind to a friend on the playground, in the cafeteria, at home, etc. When students draw and write about being kind it reminds them of how important it is to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves.
8. Morning Meeting Rituals
Start the day with a circle of kindness activities during morning meetings. Allow students to share kind things they've experienced or express gratitude for the actions of their classmates. This is a great time for students to share about good deeds they have done or seen others doing in school.
9. Kindness Bulletin Board
Set up a bulletin special board where students can showcase their acts of kindness. When students see another student being kind, they can draw a picture of what they saw the other child doing and hang it on the board. This bulletin board can serve as a constant reminder of the positive impact of kind gestures within the classroom.
10. Kindness Affirmations
Introduce daily kindness affirmations as part of the morning routine. Encourage students to repeat positive statements about themselves and their peers, fostering a sense of self-worth and appreciation for others.
11. Act Out Being Kind
Get your students up and moving by role playing different kindness situations . Choose a couple of students to act out how they would treat others with kindness in scenarios like letting a friend join in on the playground, how to be kind of someone accidentally bumps into you, etc. When students see these situations in action, they are more likely to be kind to others when it happens to them!
12. Kindness Pledge
Have students create and sign a kindness pledge, committing to promoting kindness in their daily lives. Display the pledges in the classroom as a constant reminder of the shared commitment to positive behavior.
13. Kindness Games
Incorporate kindness-themed games into classroom activities. Games like “Kindness Bingo” or “Acts of Kindness Charades” make learning about and practicing kindness enjoyable for young students.
14. Appreciation Box
Set up an appreciation box in the classroom where students can drop notes expressing gratitude for their peers. Take time regularly to read these notes aloud and celebrate the positive impact students have on each other.
15. Kindness Secret Missions
Have your students perform kindness secret missions throughout the week. Give your class a secret mission to accomplish like smiling at someone, inviting a friend to play or sharing a favorite toy or snack. Meet at the end of the day to find out who accomplished their secret mission and then give them a special prize for accomplishing their kindness mission. A simple prize like a sticker will do the trick!
16. Bucket Filling Activity
Read the story “Have You Filled A Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud. Introduce the concept of being a “bucket filler” by engaging students in activities that promote positive behavior and kindness. Discuss how each kind action fills someone's metaphorical bucket with joy.
17. Kindness Craft Workshop
Organize a craft workshop where students create kindness-themed crafts, such as friendship bracelets or kindness bookmarks. Grab everything you need for friendship bracelets at your local craft store. Younger children will love designing and stringing beads on friendship bracelets and then sharing it with a special friend.l These crafts can serve as tangible reminders of the importance of kind actions.
18. Captain Kindness
Introduce kids to Captain Kindness, the fearless leader of the behavior bunch superheroes! Captain Kindness shows kids the power of being kind and how it can make your classroom a better place. Use the Captain Kindness puppet when you're reading kindness books to kids or talking about different ways to be kind to their friends. You can even hang his poster up in your classroom to remind kids about being kind every day.
19. Valentine's Day Kindness Cards
Instead of traditional valentine cards, encourage students to create kindness cards for their classmates. Add some red and pink construction paper to your art center or writing center and let kids design their own kindness VAlentine's Day cards. This not only celebrates Valentine's Day but also reinforces the value of spreading kindness on special occasions.
20. Kindness Gesture Chain
Create a paper chain in the classroom where each link represents a kind gesture. As students perform acts of kindness, add links to the chain, visually showcasing the cumulative impact of their positive actions.
21. Kindness Lessons from Favorite Books
Choose picture books that emphasize the importance of kindness and use them as tools for interactive lessons. Discuss the stories and encourage students to share their thoughts on how they can apply kindness in their own lives. Some excellent kindness books to add to your lesson plans include:
- I Walk With Vanessa by Kerascoet
- The Jelly Donut Difference by Maria Dismondy
- Stick And Stone by Beth Ferry
- Kindness Is My Superpwer by Alicia Ortego
Whole School Kindness Activities
22. kindness poster creation.
Have students work individually or in groups to create posters promoting kindness. Help students come up with kindness slogans to write on the posters. They can write things like “Be Kind To Others” or “Kindness Counts!” These posters can be displayed around the school, reinforcing the message that kindness matters. It's the perfect way to spread positivity throughout your school for all to see.
23. Kindness Tree Craft
Create a giant kindness tree using construction paper or butcher paper. Hang the kindness tree on a bulletin board in your hallway. Make some small pink and red construction paper hearts and place them near the tree with tape and a marker. Encourage students to add the heart shaped leaves with kind actions written on them. This is a great kindness activity that you can do throughout your entire hallway.
24. Random Acts of Kindness Day
Designate a day as “Random Acts of Kindness Day.” Encourage students to perform small acts of kindness for their peers, teachers, and other school staff. At the end of the day meet with your class to find out all the nice things they did for others during the day.
25. World Kindness Day Celebration
Did you know that World Kindness Day is celebrated each year on November 13th? Take the opportunity to celebrate this special occasion by organizing special activities, discussions, and projects that emphasize the importance of kindness on a global scale. This is a great day to read books about kindness, make a kindness chain with each link representing a kind deed or pair up with older children in another grade to do good deeds together.
26. Kindness Notes Exchange
Implement a pen pal system where students exchange kindness notes with classmates from other classes. This helps build connections across the school community. Set up a special kindness mailbox in the hallway where kids can drop notes to encourage and compliment friends in other classes. Choose one child each day to deliver the notes to the students in the other rooms.
27. Kindness in the School Community
Extend the focus on kindness beyond the classroom by involving the entire school community. Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to create a school-wide initiative that promotes kindness in various aspects of school life. Organize a food drive around Thanksgiving or a special animal shelter collection for things like food, collars and toys.
28. Kindness Scavenger Hunt
Organize a kindness-themed scavenger hunt within the school premises. Provide students with clues that lead them to various acts of kindness or positive messages hidden around the school.
Community Kindness Activities
29. kindness project ideas.
Initiate long-term kindness projects, such as creating a kindness mural, organizing a community service day, or partnering with local organizations to support those in need. An easy way to encourage kindness in the community is to make cards for elderly people in nursing homes.
30. Whole School Kindness Initiative
Work towards establishing a comprehensive kindness initiative that involves the entire school. This could include creating a kindness committee, organizing special events, and integrating kindness into the school curriculum.
Looking for a way to make kindness an everyday part of your classroom? These Google slides are the ultimate tool to transform your learning environment in just 15 minutes a day!
Before I discovered these kindness learning strategies my students were struggling with emotional outbursts, fighting, tattling, and more. But with these daily kindness lessons, my students started improving rapidly – making friends, being respectful, and listening in class.
Click the button to learn more.
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5 Easy Kindness Activities for Elementary Students
Fostering kindness in your classroom is a helpful way to build community and teach students empathy. Through hands-on kindness activities for elementary students, you can engage them in showing compassion to others. Keep reading for five simple ideas you can do this week that get students to express kindness through their actions.
Group Brainstorms to Promote Kindness
Give students common social scenarios that happen at school. Events might include games at recess, someone getting a bad grade, forgetting their homework, or feeling embarrassed because they fell during gym.
Brainstorm ways to show kindness to someone in the situation as a group. Discuss how it would feel if someone did one of these for you. You could also role play a few of the scenarios with students.
Children's Books About Kindness
Children's books are chock-full of kindness themes. They are an engaging and familiar format for students. Walk into your library and grab any of the ones below. They are great examples of kindness that students can relate to.
5 Children's Books for Kindness
- Recess Queen
- Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
- The Invisible Boy
Check them out here
Possible Discussion Prompts
- How does the main character show kindness in the story?
- How did their kindness affect others?
- How can you show kindness to others like (character)?
- What did you learn from this story about the importance of kindness?
- How has someone shown kindness to you?
Sharing Kind Thoughts
Discuss with students how one kind act we can do for someone else is to share our kind thoughts with them or about them. For example, someone may need encouragement when trying something new or challenging. They could reassure someone after a setback. Simple notes expressing gratitude or a compliment are a great exercise also. Work with students to think about people in their lives they could share these types of kind thoughts with. Then give them a simple template or organizer to help them write the note.
Download free compliment stem cards here.
Teaching Compliments to Build Empathy
This winter, focus on giving and receiving compliments. Genuine compliments can be a great way to build a positive classroom culture. When students learn to give and accept compliments, they
Kindness Journals
For one week, have students express their gratitude daily by noting one kind act they saw. These can be small everyday events, like someone holding the door or offering to help carry something. Discuss with students how small acts of kindness can have significant impacts and create a positive environment.
Service Projects
Okay, so this one is more complex, but you can make the brainstorming, planning, and execution something that the students do. Think about possible projects at your school or in your community: picking up trash, planting a garden, volunteering at a food bank, being a pen pal for a senior citizen, and mentoring younger students.
One of my schools had a buddy program where fifth graders and kindergartens got paired up. Their classes would do recess together, have joint class parties, help them get packed up, and more. Students would look forward to becoming a big buddy when they reached fifth grade.
When I was a fifth grader, my teacher created a pen pal program with a local nursing home. We wrote letters to senior citizens and visited them at the end of the year.
Keep it simple and find ways your students can express kindness to their community through tangible actions.
Get Started Teaching Kindness
Teaching kindness to elementary students is a great way to build community and teach empathy. With the five easy kindness activities outlined in this article, you can engage your students in showing compassion to others. From roleplaying scenarios of everyday social events at school, reading children’s books on kindness, sharing kind thoughts, keeping gratitude journals, or even doing service projects for the local community, teachers can use these activities to build a kind classroom.
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Kindness Activities
Teach kindness to students through quick, engaging activities. When students see kind acts and reflect on them, they are more likely to do them in the classroom community. Use these activities throughout the year to encourage kindness!
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42 Kindness Activities for Elementary Students
- Elementary Education
Introduction:
Teaching kindness to elementary students offers numerous benefits, including fostering empathy, building strong relationships, and enhancing overall well-being. Here are 42 kindness activities that can be easily incorporated into your classroom routine or adapted for use at home.
1. Random Acts of Kindness Calendar
2. Compliment Jar
3. Kindness Bingo
4. Gratitude Journaling
5. Smile Cards
6. Friendship Bracelets
7. Helping Hands Bulletin Board
8. Thankful Thursdays
9. Kindness Skits & Roleplays
10. Create a Classroom Kindness Pledge
11. Mindful Listening Practice
12. Encouraging Notes in Lunchboxes
13. Care Packages for the Homeless
14. Volunteer at a Local Non-profit
15. Collect and Donate Supplies to Classrooms in Need
16. Reading Buddies Program
17. Appreciation Station
18. Honor Teachers and Staff with Special Recognition
19. Acts of Service Project Ideas
20. Start a Kindness Club
21. Kindness Bookmarks with Inspirational Quotes
22. Write Letters to Senior Citizens
23. Cultivate a Classroom Garden
24. Create Get Well Cards for Hospitalized Children
25. Hold a Fundraiser for an Important Cause
26. Starting a Toy/Book Drive for those less fortunate
27. Identify Everyday Heroes (Local workers, community members)
28. Spread Positivity through Chalk Art Messages
29. Animals and Kindness: Learning about animal shelters and ways to support them
30. Portraits of Gratitude: Art activity where students draw people they appreciate
31. Kind Hands- “LEAF” no one behind: Students write acts of kindness on paper leaves and create a kindness tree
32. Create Flowers with Kindness Petals (paper flower with kind words written on petals)
33. Clean Up Your Neighborhood: Organize a neighborhood clean-up day
34. Thankful Stones- Paint rocks with kind messages and hide them around school/community
35. Peer Recognition Certificates for Acts of Kindness
36. Buddy Bench: Install a buddy bench to encourage friendship and inclusion during recess
37. Learn About and Share Inspirational Stories of Kindness
38. Support Our Troops: Write letters or make care packages for soldiers overseas
39. Kindness Mad Libs: Fun activity that emphasizes positive words and phrases
40. Thank You Letter Writing Campaign (to family, friends, community helpers)
41. Pay it Forward Day: Encourage students to complete an act of kindness for someone and challenge them to pass it on
42. Wear Kindness-themed T-shirts or create your own designs promoting kindness
Conclusion:
Incorporating these 42 kindness activities into your classroom or at home will help build a strong foundation of empathy, compassion, and positive relationships in your students’ lives. Practice these acts of kindness regularly to continue nurturing an environment where kindness is ingrained in the hearts and minds of our youth.
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Engage elementary students in cultivating kindness through a collaborative game structure where they express gratitude towards classmates, fostering camaraderie and character development, with the option of involving a teaching assistant to enhance inclusivity and the propagation of kindness throughout the classroom. ... Upon its presentation ...
Give students the kindness quotes. Ask students to pick a quote they identify with the most. Have students write the quote on the bottom of the self-portrait page, and then they can draw themselves holding the quote. Here is an example. If you would like, you can have students type the quote, print out the paper and then draw their self-portrait.
The following activities for students are great ways to get kids started with killing people with kindness and start with social-emotional learning in the elementary classroom. This post includes affiliate links. Discussions 1. Class Brainstorm. Have your students decide as a class what kindness looks like and how they can show kindness to others.
Kindness is a powerful value that children can learn from an early age, and it helps shape their relationships and the world around them. From kindergarten to elementary students, engaging them in kindness activities or games allows them to experience the joy of helping others, understanding empathy, and building a sense of community. 1.
Random acts of kindness. Once students understand what acts of kindness are, introduce them to the idea of random acts of kindness. ... 7 Kindness Activities for Elementary Students, Preschoolers, and Middle Schoolers. A quick Google search will reveal dozens, if not hundreds, of kindness activities for children and students. We've listed ...
CBS News and CHARACTER COUNTS! are proud to present Kindness 101, a collection of complimentary K-12 lessons to teach character, social-emotional, and academic skills. ... Students and educators easily connect to t he heartwarming and inspirational stories featured in the videos. Along with the video, we've provided activities, discussion and ...
Classroom Kindness Activities For Elementary Students 1. Kindness Jar Challenge. Encourage students to perform kind acts and write them down on slips of paper. Students can also make note when they see another student who is being kind. Collect these notes in a kindness jar and celebrate read them aloud with your class at the end of each week. 2.
5. Kindness Writing Activity for Elementary Students. Have discussions with your class about what it truly means to be a kind person. Talk about ways in which we can make others feel included, accepted, and loved. You can create an anchor chart of words to describe a kind vs. unkind person. Then, have students write about what kindness means to ...
Teaching kindness to elementary students is a great way to build community and teach empathy. With the five easy kindness activities outlined in this article, you can engage your students in showing compassion to others. From roleplaying scenarios of everyday social events at school, reading children's books on kindness, sharing kind thoughts ...
39. Kindness Mad Libs: Fun activity that emphasizes positive words and phrases. 40. Thank You Letter Writing Campaign (to family, friends, community helpers) 41. Pay it Forward Day: Encourage students to complete an act of kindness for someone and challenge them to pass it on. 42. Wear Kindness-themed T-shirts or create your own designs ...