Back to School Kindness is Around the Corner
As the summer comes to a close and children prepare to go back to school, it's a great time to focus on spreading kindness.
One way to do this is to have your child make a list of kind acts that they can do for their classmates, such as offering to carry someone's backpack or helping someone who is having trouble with a math problem.
If your child is feeling shy, encourage them to start by doing something kind for someone they know well, for example, a sibling or friend. As they start to see the positive effects of their acts of kindness, they will likely be inspired to do more since studies show that kindness is contagious.
In addition, you can talk about how good it feels to be kind and how important it is to be inclusive and understanding towards others. By role-modeling kindness yourself and encouraging your child to do the same, you can help create a climate of warmth and caring in your child's school community.
With gratitude,
—MiaLisa Millares, Executive Director
ACTIONS
Back to School Kindness Challenge. As the new school year begins, it's a perfect opportunity to start fresh and do something kind for someone else. That's why we're challenging you to participate in our Back to School Kindness Challenge. It can be anything from holding the door open for someone to lending a helping hand or writing a kind note. Each act may seem small, but when combined, it can make a big difference in the world. So, take the challenge and spread some kindness today!
Crayons to Cradles. This is a great time to gather items that would be useful to children starting school, like gently used clothing and supplies. This incredible organization helps sort the items and meet the needs of families and children.
Kindness Kits. As the summer winds down and a more structured schedule starts to form, keeping kindness kits on hand so that you can provide gratitude on the go is a great idea.
Make Sandwiches. Food insecure: it's a term that we hear a lot these days, but what does it really mean? Put simply, it means not having enough food to meet a person’s basic needs. Whatever the cause, food insecurity can have a significant impact on someone's health and well-being. That's why it's so important to take the time to provide a good meal for someone who is food insecure. Many shelters appreciate having a supply of sandwiches. Here are some instructions and ways to help.
Volunteer Listings. Are you looking for opportunities in your area to volunteer with your kids? Check out our free volunteer listings. We create monthly lists with a great variety of service opportunities that can meet many needs. Simply subscribe to the list and receive a free monthly email that details a number of different opportunities in your community and beyond to give back as a family.
CONVERSATIONS
School is just around the corner. As you prepare to return to the school setting, think about how you can show kindness to others. Here are some questions to get you ready to share kindness:
What is most exciting about returning to school?
What is most challenging?
How can you show someone kindness upon your return to school?
What can you do to be inclusive of someone with whom you might not have spoken?
How can schools better promote kindness?
In what ways could students help their schools promote kindness?
READ
Doing Good Together: 101 Easy, Meaningful Service Projects for Families, Schools, and Communities
Are you looking for great ways to give back to the community? This book, written by our founder, Jenny Friedman and Jolene Roehlkepartain, provides simple activities for families looking to engage in service. The 101 family-friendly projects in the Doing Good Together™ book answer the growing demand for family service with hands-on projects focused on easing poverty, promoting literacy, supporting the troops, helping the environment, and more.
INSPIRATION
“A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers.”
—Helen Keller