03/02/2026
Teaching Our Children About Kindness
𝖣𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖺 𝖬 𝖦𝖺𝗋𝖼𝗂𝖺 𝖬𝖲 𝖬𝖠 𝖬𝖲𝖶
When we check our calendars, we see that almost every day is now considered a special day. We are inundated with recognized holidays, Hallmark®-created days, days to raise awareness about specific diseases, and other observances. Although we can’t participate in all of these special days, there is one day that might be worth celebrating, not just on that day, but throughout the year. That day is World Kindness Day. This year, the recognized day will be November 13. The purpose of this day is to encourage people to perform simple acts of kindness that positively impact others and their communities. As parents raising children, how do we teach our children about kindness?
Kindness can improve our children’s mental health by increasing feelings of belonging, increasing positive moods, and reducing anxiety. When we perform acts of kindness, the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin are released, resulting in feelings of happiness, calmness, and reduced anxiety. As the practice of kindness becomes a habit, a child’s self-esteem improves. Kind children become more resilient when emotionally challenging events occur, thanks to the development of a strong support system that their kind acts have fostered.
Model kindness. Remember that what we do and say is noticed by our children, even when we think they are paying no attention. They need to see and hear us being kind to others. For younger children, consider using fairy tales or stories such as The Wizard of Oz. We know the story. As Dorothy follows the Yellow Brick Road, seeking the wizard to help her get home, she befriends characters who are all in search of what they feel they lack: a brain, a heart, and courage. What they learn on this arduous journey, with the help of the wizard, is that they already possess what they think they do not have: wisdom, kindness, and courage. Unbeknownst to them, they have utilized these character traits to encourage one another and conquer the challenges encountered on their journey.
Praise kindness. Another method to teach kindness includes complimenting children whenever you notice them being kind. Be sure you explain why you are pleased with their actions. When teaching children about kindness, it is necessary to remember that children often struggle to understand empathy. Talk about emotions and how others might feel. Caregivers and parents can further achieve this by reading stories and discussing how the characters might have felt, or by engaging in role-playing. For example, we can ask our child how they would feel if they were in the character’s situation. Having this discussion can help children understand and relate to the emotions of others. Explaining empathy and emotions also provides an opportunity to discuss real-life situations, such as their behavior we recognized that prompted the compliment, recognizing when peers may be left out, inviting others to join their activities, and making new friends.
Converse about kindness. As parents, we can turn the family dinner table into more than just a place to eat. It can be a platform for meaningful conversations about kindness. Gather the family together during dinner to share stories of how everyone practiced an act of kindness that day or how someone showed kindness to them. As families, we can also discuss and choose volunteer activities and determine the role each family member will play in practicing acts of kindness. Conversations of this nature enable children to acknowledge and discuss the impact of their words and actions, while creating a sense of connection and involvement.
Modeling and teaching acts of kindness is a great way to help our children develop a sense of purpose, feel happier, calmer, more socially connected, and reduce the risk of depression. A few acts of kindness that children can easily understand and practice include helping a friend with their homework, sharing their favorite toys with a sibling, or providing comfort to a classmate who is upset. What a simple yet powerful way to enhance our children’s resilience mental health.
More articles like this at: wcpastl.com/wcpa-winter-2026-newsletter/
