- Using manners
- Making eye contact
- Sharing
- Respecting personal space
- Following instructions
- Listening
- Cooperating
Even though Kindness is not specifically listed here, it does interlink very closely with all of the above social skills. For the purpose of this article, I have chosen to share how we used the concept of Kindness in one of our Shine Circle lessons here at Shelanti.
Kindness
Expanding on a previous Empathy lesson, we discussed the concept of kindness and its value within our school specifically. Each child was asked to think of a friend they really like to spend time with and then list or draw a few things that they think makes this friend a kind person. This was the easier part and the children were able to think of various situations where their friend displayed kindness toward them. I then asked each child to list or draw why they think THEY are a kind friend to others… this got them thinking a bit more. In the end, we discussed especially how showing kindness will result in receiving kindness.
We then ended our lesson with another clip from Sesame Street – This time Elmo helped us understand kindness a bit better!
- It leads to more happier children
- Less bullying
- Better stronger friendships
- Higher Self-esteem
- Increases children’s understanding of Empathy toward others
- Increases a more positive school environment
- Results in children with a better understanding of Social Emotional awareness
- Model it! “Receiving” kindness will evoke a feeling of wanting to reciprocate it to others.
- Verbalise emotions and discuss with your child how their chosen behaviour will make others feel. Never accept rudeness when your child is angry. Rather discuss alternatives with them.
- Teach your child about the joy of kindness – arrange activities as a family where you can all show kindness to other loved ones or even to the greater community.
At Shelanti Remedial School we teach children not only about understanding emotion, but we also encourage children to show emotion and to be kind to others.
