The Power of Kindness to Counteract Bullying
It's no secret that bullying is a problem in schools. All too often children are teased, excluded, or made to feel inferior because of their appearance, intelligence, or interests. But there is hope. Kindness has the power to change the culture of a school and create an environment where everyone is respected and valued. When children are kind to one another, they build relationships and trust. They also set an example for others to follow. As more and more children act with kindness, the climate of the school will begin to change and bullying will become less tolerated. So let's encourage our children to be kind. It's one of the most important things they can do to make their school a better place.
With gratitude,
– MiaLisa Millares, Executive Director
ACTION
Advocate and Raise Awareness
Use the ideas laid out in this newsletter to grow awareness around the issue of bullying. By creating a film, a blog, or a story, you can help to share with others the importance of sharing kindness.
Be an Upstander
Doing Good Together has created a compilation of worksheets, conversation starters, and curricula to help have meaningful conversations and work toward raising children who stand against injustice.
Beyond Our Neighbors
Children are often naturally kindhearted and always quick to offer a hug or share their toys with a friend. As they grow older, however, they can become more self-focused and less inclined to think about others. That's why it's so important for parents to encourage their children to reach out beyond their immediate family and friends to inspire kindness. By engaging with the larger community, children can learn the value of helping those in need and begin to develop a sense of empathy. They can also gain a better understanding of the many different cultures and backgrounds that make up our world. Moreover, by inspiring others to be kind, children can help create a more compassionate society for all. Check out this curriculum that DGT made in collaboration with Harvard: Making Caring Common.
Think Big
Read about bigger issues and teach children about social justice through books like these. Reflecting on big issues and learning how people have stood up against injustice will inspire kids to do the same in their daily lives.
Volunteer Listings
Are you looking for opportunities in your area to volunteer with your kids? Check out our free volunteer listings. Simply subscribe to the list and receive a free monthly email that details a number of different opportunities in your community to give back as a family.
CONVERSATIONS
Use these prompts to start conversations with kids about bullying and how kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Have you ever felt excluded?
How did it feel?
Have you ever noticed that someone else was excluded?
Did you do or say anything to try to make them feel better?
If you think back now, what else might you have done?
How can we make others feel included?
What does inclusion look like?
BOOKS
The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates
This beautiful, open-ended book helps kids see that there’s always room to include others. Young readers may enjoy knowing that this book was co-written by a mother-daughter team who imagined the story on their way to school in the rain.
INSPIRATION
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
―Desmond Tutu