- The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
- A kind act. [Google Dictionary]
I have learned and witnessed that kids are naturally egocentric. This doesn't mean that they can't or won't think about others. As a parent, I know it is important to teach my child(ren) how to be kind and care about others. Currently it seems that the focus in this country is about bullying and hatred. I was thinking about how we could turn that around and make it about kindness and character, so I came up with a list of acts of kindness that every child can do. Even if he/she can't write yet, these acts can be modified to their level.
Here are some ideas:
1) Make cookies or a treat and deliver them to the neighbors. Include a handwritten note.
2) Make a craft (or 2 or 3) and deliver them to the local nursing home.
3) Write their former teachers a note. Have your child write down one special memory or something they learned from that particular teacher.
4) Donate unwanted/unused toys and clothing to The Big Brothers or Goodwill.
5) Write thank you notes to the veterans and deliver them to the local Veterans Hospital.6) Do a chore for an elderly friend or neighbor such as pulling weeds, sweeping their porch (just be sure to ask them first).
7) Do one nice thing for each family member (pack a lunch for a sibling, make a sandwich for daddy, help find a toy for the baby).
8) Write a thank you note and include it in a small gift (from the dollar store) for the mail man/woman. Your child can place it in the mailbox by him/herself.
9) Let your child pick out a couple cans of food either from the store or your pantry and take them to the food bank.
10) Write a letter or draw a picture for the grandparents. Let your child put it in the mailbox.
11) Encourage a friend. Find out if your child’s friend is playing a game, acting in a play, or doing something new and take your child to that event to cheer their buddy on.
12) Remind and help your child make thank you cards for the gifts they have received.
13) Help your child write one nice thing about each family member on a sticky note. Then let your child find a good spot to stick the notes where the family member will find them.
14) Pick flowers from the garden or get a couple flowers from the store and let your child pick who they want to give each flower to
.15) Walk around the neighborhood with your child and pick up the garbage (you may want to purchase gloves first, and teach your child to leave any sharp items on the ground).
16) Send a package, write a letter, or draw a picture for our servicemen/women who are protecting our freedom. You can go to www.anysoldier.com for help with where and who to send these packages/letters to.
Try and talk with your child about how it feels to be kind. It should make everybody involved feel good. Kindness never hurts!