Classroom Kindness

In today's modern world there is so much hate and ugliness to go around, so how do we stop that from seeping into our classroom and our community? Here are some tips for teaching kindness to your classroom:

1. Model kindness- show your class HOW to be kind to others. Introduce the custodian and make sure you thank him/her for the work that is done around the school. If we treat others with respect and show kindness our children will be too
2. Teach empathy- 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
3. Have classroom jobs- this may seem like a minor thing in the class, but given EVERY student  job in the classroom gives a sense of purpose and responsibility in the classroom
4. Emphasis friendship- create a classroom community that is based around friendship and teamwork. Talk about what being a friend looks like and how you can treat a friend in the classroom.
5. Build a real connection- your student's need to know that you genuinely care about them and want them to succeed. It is your responsibility to build relationships with each student and encourage classroom connections between other students as well. 
6. Share social stories- sharing social stories allow children to be problem solvers in their classroom. Have a class discussion about how the student would feel if they were in a situation like the story. This teaches empathy as well as problem-solving. 
7. BE THE ACTION- empower students to take initiative and show kindness throughout the school community. You don't have to stop there though. Show your children that kindness can be shown through community service projects. Teach your class to be "do-ers" because eventually, they will mold into critical thinkers who take initiative to be kind to anyone and everyone. 

Each school and state might tell you what you have to teach, but it is your job as an educator to choose to teach kindness in the classroom. Ultimately, it is kindness that will make a difference in your student's life. You never know how far a small gesture can go. No matter how you teach kindness, the world will be a better place because of it. 

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