It’s tagline is “Developmentally … You may also want to ask how it made them feel when someone helped, and when they helped others, although you may not get real answers until your child is older. Our hope is to inspire others to share how they too, teach kindness in the classroom as a response to this post. Some individuals are concerned about the time morning meetings can take, but when the culture for learning is built on the foundation of relationships and trust, learners feel embraced by their teacher and peers, deepening learning experiences and fostering a strong community. After Rousseau, we believe that an education in kindness is essential in early childhood (Emile, 1762). This can start by simply discussing needs and generating ways to meet those needs. In a time where there seems to be many negative messages in the media and beyond, we in early childhood programs experience the effects on young children. Weave lessons of kindness into your daily routine. For example, friends can help you sharpen a pencil, but they can also help you play games or read with you. We start working on empathy. It is important to understand that the benefits of the Kindness … They can be utilized with all ages, and at the secondary level, may be called collaborative class discussions. In my experience, morning meetings support the culture of learning by setting the tone for the day and by allowing us to get to know one another differently than when we engage in collaborative class work. In the early years of life, young children are naturally ego-centric and … Learning how to teach kindness in the classroom is one of our most important jobs as teachers. When these needs are met, students can better focus on learning and are more likely to engage in critical thinking, express creativity, collaborate, communicate effectively, and persevere through challenges -- essential skills our youth require. The only rule in my class is, “We are all friends.”  We began the year by creating a chart that shows what a friend can do, what friends will do and what friends like to do together. The word kindness is only mentioned once in The Early Years Learning Framework – it’s in Outcome 2: CHILDREN HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF WELLBEING. The center we created provides links to read alouds and PBS LearningMedia  that demonstrate the qualities of a friend. Ashley Judd is a 4th Grade Teacher at Tyner Elementary in Tyner, KY.  She specializes in elementary education and incorporating innovative classroom practices, aimed at amplifying student growth. Empower your students to take initiative. Stay up to date on the latest blog posts, content, tools, and more from PBS Education! Another way to show your child the value of kindness is to bring him along when you’re taking a meal to a noncontagious sick relative or neighbor, or let her help you get a bag of clothes or canned goods together for a local clothing or food drive. Invite students to perform Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs) for others. Daniel Tiger is also featured in the center. Create a Friendship and Kindness Center. IE 11 is not supported. Friends need to listen to each other and take turns talking. What will you do today to foster a community built on kindness, empathy and authentic connections? You may also want to volunteer together at a food bank during the holidays or gather items from family members to donate to a charity in your area. As I reflect upon my teaching experience and the community I call home, I find myself constantly thinking about the future of my students. When teachers can keep compassion for themselves and those around them (whatever that may look like for each team and individual), the energy that they can then bring to their … A small, class community service project is a great way to connect to your community and provide an intentional opportunity for your students to experience empathy. Then, we often partner up to engage, personally greet our friend, and go deeper in discussion. Student Greeters welcome visitors to Michelle’s classroom with a cheerful “Hello neighbor!” “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” is stenciled above the smartboard. Increased Feelings of Gratitude. When children are part of activities that help others less fortunate … Beginning … Although there’s no denying that teachers have various demands to tend to, devoting ample time to nurturing the classroom culture through teaching kindness is exactly what allows us to be successful in other areas. Skills associated with kindness … Planting seeds of kindness begins with designing early childhood environments that promote kindness. … We spend several months focused on learning “The 7 Habits of Happy Kids.”  One very important habit that helps students learn to be kind to others, especially when dealing with conflict, is “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.”  This helps students see each other through a kindness lens and appreciate what each other is feeling. When children are part of projects that help others less fortunate … I often hear students singing along with Daniel and his friends as they Find a way to play together and Try to solve the problems themselves. What would they want/need in the moment? Often, we’ll change partners, and depending on our structure, we may regroup into a circle. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. While state laws, districts and campuses mandate what teachers teach, it’s the choice to teach kindness in the classroom that is truly making a difference for our students today and for their futures. I have hard copies of each book and students are able to access the read alouds through QR code links in the center. Maurice Elias, director of the Rutgers Social-Emotional Learning Lab, recommends that you provide your child with opportunities to be helpful around the house in order to teach kindness. Have a class discussion about how they would feel if they were the character. While you are teaching your students to empathize, you are simultaneously exercising their creativity and critical thinking skills in the process. It’s a quick and simple way for students to express kindness and compassion for others. Sharing social stories allows learners to be metacognitive about problems they may encounter. Copyright © 2020 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), All rights reserved. Empathy is the ability to put yourself in the shoes of someone else and understand what they are feeling or experiencing. Staff members can even write each other compliments! From the moment our toddlers start their school year, we are working on teaching them how to care for others. Being a caring and compassionate role model is the best method for teaching your children about kindness, and setting a good example is key to getting them to apply these values to their relationships and interactions. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or at an animal shelter. Learn the Kindness Activity Approach Ask the child what it means to be kind and give an example of an act of kindness Introduce the “kindness jar” to the child Explain that you will be adding pom poms as you notice kind … A high-quality early childhood education is based on a sound understanding of how young children learn – through engaging, hands-on experiences within a setting of comfort and trust. Children become aware of … The list of ways to promote kindness during this week is endless. Have your class choose a need from their list, and guide them through process of making a difference. No matter which way you teach kindness, the world will always be a better place because of it. Ultimately, it’s kindness that supports us in helping learners to be successful in their learning journey. Morning meetings are a great opportunity for learners to develop empathy as they learn to listen with understanding and consider how best to respond to their peers. I always introduce our custodian to our class the first day of school and regularly thank her for all that she does in front of the class. In our classroom, we gather in a circle for a welcome message and short discussion. Leverage Social Stories Including a Problem To Solve. Try these practical tips to help infants and toddlers develop empathy and understand that others have different thoughts and feelings than they do. Everyone else in the family can take turns making a supportive and reinforcing comment to the person who has just shared, and you can put a tally mark on the chart to indicate that an act of kindness was done. To read the original … Mindfulness sessions to begin the day. If you teach kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, or really any early childhood program that has a bit more of an academic bent to it, you’ll want to look at Simply Kinder. ​Elisabeth Bostwick, Michelle Garmon, Julie Hildebrand, Ashley Judd and Mallory Mbalia Often times, children may be able to identify ‘needs,” yet not know how to take action. Carving out time to intentionally promote kindness cultivates empathy and understanding between individuals, leading to deeper relationships. Starting early pays off, Flook said, in that for every dollar spent on early intervention, the return ranges from between $7 and $11. Teaching Kindness So how do teachers bring kindness … Once or twice a month I take … A stone cast in Kindergarten can create a ripple effect throughout a lifetime! During a morning meeting, students may discuss a topic shared by the teacher and as they gain autonomy, they can take on leadership roles by helping to create the morning message or topic of discussion. One of the best ways to teach kindness in the classroom is to model being kind to others. Her first book, Education Write Now Volume II, Top Strategies for Improving Relationships and Culture, co-authored with nine other passionate educators, will release in December 2018. Don’t stop there! It soon spreads and I hear my students begin to thank her when she’s working in the room. I also model what a conversation looks like. Partner up classes to send each other kindness cards. Write a letter to a grandparent, aunt or uncle that you haven’t seen in a while. Ashley is a Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Digital Innovator All-Star, as well as a finalist for KY Elementary Teacher of the Year and a Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award Winner. Kindness plays an important part in showing … I reflected  my students’ diversity by choosing readers with accents that some students may have not heard before. Books about kindness are so powerful for children. Essentially, mindfulness is a valuable tool … She is a Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Digital Innovator and was the recipient of the New York State Excellence in Teaching award. When your children come home from school, ask them to tell you two ways that people were helpful to them during the day. Cards to the local nursing home what kindness looks like in a classroom sense of belonging and self-esteem! They were the character feels, creates stronger connection and context two ways that people were helpful to during. 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