Kindness is a powerful force that can change our world, and it’s never too early (or too late) to start spreading it! Here are some fantastic resources and fun family activities that promote kindness for students in grades K-9.

Resources for Teaching Kindness

1. Books:

   • "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig: A touching story about a boy who feels unseen until a new friend shows him kindness, highlighting the importance of inclusion.

   • "Each Kindness" by Jacqueline Woodson: This beautifully illustrated book explores the impact of small acts of kindness and the regret that can follow missed opportunities.

   • "The Name Jar" by Yangsook Choi: A story about a girl who feels different and how her classmates learn to embrace diversity through kindness.

   • "A Sick Day for Amos McGee" by Philip C. Stead: This charming tale of a zookeeper who is cared for by his animal friends teaches lessons about friendship and kindness.

   • "I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness" by Kerascoët: A wordless picture book that beautifully illustrates how one small act of kindness can lead to a big change in someone’s life.

   • "Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler" by Margery Cuyler: A fun story about a teacher who encourages her students to show kindness, leading to a ripple effect throughout the school.

   • "The Kindness Quilt" by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace: This book tells the story of a group of children who create a quilt that represents acts of kindness in their community.

2. Videos:

   • Kid President's Pep Talk to You: An inspiring video that encourages everyone to be awesome and spread kindness.
   • The Power of Words: A short video that illustrates how our words can uplift or hurt others, perfect for sparking discussions on kindness.

Family Activities to Promote Kindness

1. Kindness Challenge: Create a month-long kindness challenge where each family member picks an act of kindness to complete each day. Ideas include complimenting a stranger, writing thank-you notes, or helping a neighbor.

2. Kindness Jar: Decorate a jar and fill it with ideas for random acts of kindness. Whenever someone feels down or needs a boost, they can pick a suggestion from the jar!

3. Community Service: Find a local charity and plan a family volunteering day. Whether it’s serving at a soup kitchen or helping out at an animal shelter, working together for a good cause strengthens family bonds and encourages empathy.

4. Kindness Cards: Create homemade cards with positive messages. Distribute them to friends, family, or even local nursing homes. A simple “You are loved” or “You make a difference” can brighten someone’s day!

5. Story Time and Discussion: Choose a book that focuses on kindness and read it together as a family. Afterward, discuss what kindness means to each person and how they can practice it in their daily lives.

6. Kindness Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt where family members find items or complete tasks that promote kindness, such as finding a flower to give away or taking a photo of a happy moment.

7. Compliment Day: Dedicate a day to giving genuine compliments to each other. Notice how it makes everyone feel and encourage kids to share compliments with friends and teachers as well!

By incorporating these resources and activities into your family routine, you can cultivate a culture of kindness that benefits everyone. Remember, even the smallest act of kindness can create ripples of positivity in our world. Let’s inspire our kids to spread kindness wherever they go!