Related Words:
Caring Warm-hearted Consideration Amabilidad Bondad (Spanish)
Freundlichkeit (German) De Gentilezza (Italian) Bondade (Portuguese) Bienveillance (French)
I. HOW STUDENTS CAN PRACTICE KINDNESS:
A. Kind Kid: Here are some things you can do to show your kindness to others:
- Say "That’s a good idea." when someone shares their ideas with you.
- When you ask people how they are, really listen.
- Comfort someone when they get hurt or have hurt feelings.
- When empathizing, remember not to "one up" them with an old personal experience.
- Design your own "thinking of you" cards when someone may need some cheering up!
- Bring a small gift to a person who is sick.
- Stop a bullying situation before someone's feelings get hurt.
- Be patient with those around you, especially at this busy time of year.
- Remember to say 'thank you' and all of your other manners!
B. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS & EXAMPLES:
- A random act of kindness is defined as a kind, respectful or considerate act performed form one person to another without any expectation of return, reward or recognition. Generosity of spirit in something that incorporates many character traits. For free educational and community ideas, guidance, and other resources, visit Random Acts of Kindness
- Bullying: This topic is so large that it will be covered under many other articles.
II. TIPS FOR PARENTS IN DECEMBER:
The Ten Greatest Gifts I Give My Children.....by Steven W. Vannoy
1. Self-esteem: Children's real sense of self-worth initially comes from their parents.
2. Feeling fully means not being afraid of feelings. Knowing and experiencing emotions means life itself.
3. Compassion is being considerate to other point of view whether or not you agree with it.
4. Balance is a time and place for all things. The journey in life includes work and play, pain and joy.
5. Humor at the pleasures and ironies of life. The enjoyment of being with someone.
6. Communication is not just reading and writing but also an attitude of listening
7. Integrity is keeping commitments which creates trust and good relationships
8. Responsibility to take charge of your life and know when to ask for help
9. Conscious Choice One can't control what happens, but can control one's response
10. Abundance of endless opportunities; there's another time, another way, another day... another year..........Happy 2005!
III. FAMILY ACTIVITIES RELATING TO KINDNESS:
Recipe for Kindness
Fold two hands together
And express a dash of sorrow
Marinate it overnight
And work on it tomorrow.
Chop one grudge in tiny pieces
Add several cups of love
Dredge with a large size smile
Mix with the ingredients above.
Dissolve the hate within you,
By doing a good deed
Cut in and help your friend
If he should be in need.
Stir in laughter, love, and kindness
From the heart it has to come
Toss with genuine forgiveness
And give your neighbor some
The amount of people served
Will depend on you,
It can serve the whole wide world,
If you really want it to.
Enjoy your holidays....
and cooking up a batch of kindness!!
IV. QUOTES:
“Perhaps we're too embarrassed to change or too frightened of the consequences of showing that we actually care. But why not risk it anyway? BEGIN TODAY! Carry out an act of kindness, with no expectation of reward or punishment. Safe in the knowledge that one day, someone somewhere might do the same for you.”
by Princess Diana
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
by Aesop
“Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.”
by Samuel Johnson
“Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”
by Scott Adams
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.”
by Mother Teresa
“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”
“Kindness does not mean allowing others to take advantage of you or of anyone else”
by Benjamin Franklin
Suggested Reading: For book reviews on reading about kindness, compassion and generosity, please go to Reading List
Wishing you peace and joy for all of the holidays!
Character Corner compiled by Nancy Caggia, WCPTA Character Education Chair: nancyc121@nc.rr.com
