“Throw kindness around like confetti.”
I just love this quote. It’s such a beautiful reminder to us all to spread a little kindness wherever we go and try to incorporate it into our daily lives. This is particularly relevant as we approach Christmas and other various holidays throughout the year, that we need to think about others – not only ourselves. It’s not just about take take take, “I want this!”, “I want that!”, but about giving back, practicing gratitude, helping others and embracing the idea of random acts of kindness. At the core of this idea, is to do something for someone else, without expecting anything in return.
Teaching Kids Random Acts of Kindness
If you want more kindness in the world, put it there.
A parent really is a child’s first teacher, so instilling these values early on is so important. You are your child’s number one role model so teaching kindness starts with you, in the home, and amongst other members of your family.
We want to make our kids aware that there are people less fortunate in the community and that small gestures from us can make a big impact on them. We want kids to treat others as they would want to be treated. We want our kids to be as excited about giving a gift at special holiday times of the year as much as receiving. The Kindness Elves™ from Finlee and Me are a wonderful way to start teaching kids how to plan and execute random acts of kindness within their community, school and home.
The Kindness Elves™ assist kids to not be entitled but rather learn to give back during the holiday season. Through the work of the Elves (and you as the parent), kids will also start to learn and feel a sense of gratitude for what they have but also for the kindness they’ll spread towards others not only during the holidays but through day to day life; making our community a better place for all.
50 Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness
In our FREE random acts of kindness printable – you’ll find a list of 50 random acts of kindness that you and your children can do to sprinkle that kindness around like confetti. We’ve provided a variety of ideas that included little to no cost, so that it doesn’t impact on your family budget. Our five favourite ways to teach kids about kindness are:
- Sponsor a family
- Purchase flowers to hand out at a shopping centre
- Bake cookies to drop off at a police station, ambulance station, library etc. to thank the workers for everything they do for our community
- Collect food for a local food bank
- Full a box on unwanted books and deliver to your local doctors office
Grab your free printable today, pin up around your house and start teaching your kids about kindness.
And just one final thought to leave you with today…
You will never regret being kind.
Written by Lauren from Teacher Types who is a mum of two and an early years teacher from Adelaide SA. She blogs about all things early learning and parenting at her blog Teacher Types.