In definition it means behaviour that is marked by acts of generosity, consideration and concern for others without expecting anything in return. Being kind is more than simply saying “Please” and “Thank you” it is an intrinsic desire to help others.
How do we then go about teaching children to be kind?
In Early Childhood, it can be something as simple as role modelling. Educators can primarily promote kindness among the children by their own demeanour and how they interact with children. The words they use, their relationships with other educators and families all makes an impression on the child, and we all know how impressionable children are. Responding positively to children helps reinforce kindness and makes them feel happy, in time children will begin repeating this behaviour thereby creating a culture of caring and concern towards others.
If we look at the science behind kindness, Hans Selye, a pioneering physician and endocrinologist, believed that practicing random acts of kindness may help in relieving stress by releasing Serotonin, Endorphin and Oxytocin and lead to a happier and healthier lifestyle.
Children have a 100 languages, and so are the ways they can be supported to become kind individuals as they go along their learning journeys. Here are a few:
- Role modelling kind and positive language and behaviour “Can I help you with that?”
- By providing children opportunities to engage in social situations, observing their interaction and stepping in to scaffold their behaviour when needed.
- Reading books on Kindness, on Empathy, on being inclusive.
- Making kindness visible for the children in the form of a Kindness tree or chain – research shows that counting acts of kindness increases happiness and motivation (Otake et al, 2006).
- Acknowledging children, giving them immediate feedback on a positive behaviour, no matter how small.
- Building trust through practicing equity and equality in our relationships with children.
- Be genuinely happy to see them, get down to their level, make eye contact, make them feel important, valued, heard.
- Compliment them on their efforts and enjoy the process with them rather than the product.
Let’s teach our children kindness today so they can learn to be the best (healthier and happier) version of themselves tomorrow.
“At first, children like to help others because it helps them get what they want. Next, they do so because they get praise. Finally, they begin to anticipate the needs of others, and it becomes intrinsically rewarding to do nice things for people in their lives.” – Dr. David Schonfeld M.D
A lovely video on kindness: https://youtu.be/SMdwxo-b1-0
If you’ve come this far, this was a blog I wrote for my work. There were a few thoughts I wanted to add that I couldn’t add there, here goes.
When I first started working, my director walked into the room while she was putting on a jumper. The children asked her why she was wearing a jumper. She replied – “Because you are going outside and your arms are covered, I should cover my arms too”. She always tells us you can’t expect the children to wear their hats, if you’re not wearing it when outside with them. We secretly call her the Hat Nazi (she knows!) but we also make sure we wear it. When she told the children that, the first thought that came to my mind was, what a kind thing to do! And it has always stayed with me, that we are all equal. (On that note) I also read a lovely example of equality and equity on the Victorian Early Learning and Development Framework –
“Every child has a right to early education (equality) – some children and families require additional support to access early childhood education and participate fully (equity)”.
The other day I was giving a tour of the centre, and the person looking for a place for their child asked me how old our educators are because they felt younger educators are unable to manage behaviours. I found myself saying, it really has nothing to do with age and everything to do with relationships. Young or old, you can’t guide children’s behaviour, participation, motivation or encourage them, for example, to wear their hats outside – if they don’t trust and respect you. An educator has to model the behaviour they expect to see in the children, that’s early childhood for you.
~ Ru
The Roo that could 