Random acts of kindness is an important part of Social Emotional Learning. It can take various forms, such as helping someone in need, offering a kind gesture, or simply brightening someone’s day. Engaging in random acts of kindness is often seen as a way to promote empathy, compassion, and a sense of community.
What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?
SEL has five major components that include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Teaching SEL in the classroom has a positive impact on children and adults. It encourages student achievement, self-awareness, and positive behaviors in and outside of the classroom. Students that participated in the SEL curriculum saw an increase in their academics, grades, and had better attendance.
How Does Kindness Impact SEL?
Kindness is an important part of the SEL curriculum and is a skill that can be taught like many others. Teaching kindness is essential for children to learn how to establish and maintain healthy relationships. As well as, encourage children at a young age to have empathy, compassion, and understanding towards others.
What Are The Benefits of Being Kind?
- Increases happiness
- Teaches empathy
- Improves focus
- Encourages deeper interpersonal relationships
- Decreases blood pressure
- Contributes to a more connected society
- Decreases depression and anxiety
10 Ways to Teach Students How to Be Kind
Encourage Students To:
- Let someone else go first in line
- Give someone a compliment
- Thank someone for doing something nice
- Play with someone new at recess
- Sit next to someone by themselves at lunch
- Hold the door open for someone
- Greet someone new
- Tell someone close to you how much you appreciate them
- Write a positive note to someone
- Stand up for a friend
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Lesson Plans for Kindness
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation provides lesson plans for grades Pre-K through High School to teach kindness.They also provide kindness tips to use at home and at work. The Random Acts of Kindness also discusses the
6 Concepts of Kindness – Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Caring, Courage, and Inclusiveness. For more classroom ideas, click to read my article on Random Acts of Kindness Week and scroll to #6.
RELATED: Random Acts of Kindness Activities
Conclusion
Random acts of kindness are small gestures that bring happiness to others without expecting anything in return. These acts include holding the door open for someone, giving a compliment, or simply offering a kind word. Teaching kindness to students contributes to a sense of community, increases empathy, and improves one’s overall well-being.
Additional Resources
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