Nothing is more beautiful than being part of a community where individuals think about each other, pay attention to others’ needs, and reach out with kindness and compassion. That’s the kind of community many schools are committed to fostering—places where kindness guides thoughts and actions.
Thanks to the combined efforts of counsellors, teachers, student leaders, and partners, schools can actively work to build a culture rooted in kindness and inclusivity.
How to Explain Kindness to Young Children
“Kindness changes the brain by the experience of kindness. Children and adolescents do not learn kindness by only thinking about it and talking about it. Kindness is best learned by feeling it so that they can reproduce it.”
—Dr. Patty O’Gray, expert in neuroscience and emotional learning
Model Kindness Through Everyday Actions
Children learn how to behave through observation. Model the behavior you wish to see: say please and thank you, hold doors, pick up litter, or offer a smile. These subtle but consistent acts create a powerful example that children will mimic and internalize.
Talk Openly About Kindness
Have regular conversations about what kindness looks like. Discuss how we care for others, and ask your child to share their own examples. Reflect on daily experiences and explore how kindness could make a situation better. This repetition helps children recognize kindness in the world around them.
Use Stories and Media to Reinforce the Message
Books and films are great tools to explore the concept of kindness. After watching a movie or reading a story, ask your child what kind actions they noticed. Common Sense Media offers excellent film suggestions, and here are some book titles to consider:
- Have You Filled a Bucket?
- Be Kind
- Do Unto Otters
- Kindness Starts with You
- Kindness Makes Us Strong
- What Does It Mean to Be Kind?
- The Little Book of Kindness
- I Am Kind
- ABCs of Kindness
How Schools Can Promote Kindness
Student Leadership Programs
Some schools empower students through peer support and leadership programs that provide in-class lessons and weekly support sessions. Peer Leaders are trained in skills such as relationship-building, group facilitation, and strength-based support. These roles not only promote kindness but also enhance student confidence and connection to the school community.
Annual Anti-Bullying Initiatives
Events like Pink Shirt Day, inspired by a grassroots movement against bullying, are now celebrated by schools globally. Students and staff are encouraged to wear pink or share digital resources that promote empathy and respect. Virtual classrooms filled with books, videos, student contributions, and interactive content help raise awareness and inspire change.
Recognizing Acts of Kindness
Partnerships with national kindness organizations help schools extend their values into the community. Recognition through awards or designations—such as the Friend of SINGA award—reinforces the school’s mission and motivates students and educators alike to continue their commitment to building inclusive, compassionate communities.
Final Thoughts
By nurturing kindness at home and in school, we help children develop into thoughtful, empathetic individuals who understand the value of compassion. Kindness is a universal language—and it starts with us.