Teaching our students to be kind is an important part of their social and emotional development. As one of the teachers who sees every student, year in and year out, we have a wonderful opportunity to teach our students to be kind to each other. Here are some strategies that can be effective in helping children learn kindness:
- Model kindness: Children learn by observing the behavior of those around them, especially parents and caregivers. So, it’s important for adults to model kindness in their daily interactions with others. This means showing respect, empathy, and generosity in their interactions with family members, friends, and strangers.
- Explain kindness: Children need to understand what kindness is and why it’s important. You can explain kindness by talking about how it feels good to help others and how it can create positive relationships. You can also talk about the negative effects of being unkind or hurtful to others.
- Encourage empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and feel the emotions of others. By encouraging empathy, children can learn to be more sensitive to the feelings of others and be more likely to act in a kind and caring way. You can encourage empathy by asking your child to think about how others might feel in different situations.
- Teach manners: Good manners are a way of showing respect and kindness to others. Simple things like saying please and thank you, waiting your turn to speak, and holding doors open for others can help children learn to be considerate of others.
- Provide opportunities for kindness: Children need to practice kindness in order to make it a habit. You can provide opportunities for your child to be kind by encouraging them to help others, volunteering in the community, or donating to a charity. These activities can help children see the positive impact of kindness and develop a sense of empathy and compassion.
- Praise kindness: When children show kindness, it’s important to praise and encourage them. This can help reinforce the behavior and make them more likely to continue to be kind in the future.
- Use storybooks that emphasize kindness. I mean, they don’t call me the Stories That Sing lady for nothing! Here are few good examples are:
- Kindness is my SuperPower by Alicia Ortego
- Taste Your Words, by Bonnie Clark
- It’s Mine, by Leo Lionni
I mean, the list of storybooks goes on and on. If you want some suggestions on how to use one of these in your music classroom, feel free to reach out to me at jeanette@storiesthatsing.net.
BONUS – You know you can also use songs to teach your students about kindness.
Well, songs are like musical superheroes, fighting against the villainous forces of unkindness and selfishness! With catchy melodies and clever lyrics, they have the power to infiltrate even the most stubborn of brains, and inspire acts of kindness in even the grumpiest of children.
Take the classic tune “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, for example. With its simple instructions to clap your hands, stomp your feet, and shout “hooray”, it’s the perfect way to encourage kids to spread a little joy and positivity.
Or what about the heartwarming ballad “What a Wonderful World”? With its uplifting message about the beauty and diversity of our world, it’s the perfect way to teach kids about the importance of embracing differences and treating others with respect and kindness. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Louis Armstrong impression?
And let’s not forget about the power of parody! By taking popular songs and swapping out the lyrics for messages of kindness and empathy, we can create hilarious and memorable tunes that help kids learn important lessons. Just imagine a classroom full of kids singing “I Will Share With You” to the tune of “I Will Survive” – now that’s a lesson in kindness they won’t soon forget!
What about one of my favorites, Count on Me, by Bruno Mars? First, you’ll need a catchy tune that sticks in the head like glue, and “Count On Me” definitely fits the bill. It’s got a beat that makes you want to dance, even if you have two left feet.
Now, get ready to rock those lyrics with some serious kindness vibes. Start off by singing about how everyone needs a friend, and that you’re there to lend a hand whenever someone needs it. Then, move on to the chorus, where you sing about how you’ll always be there for your friends, no matter what.
And if you really want to drive the message home, try incorporating some fun actions into the song. Maybe you can point to your friends during the “count on me” parts, or do a little shimmy during the “you can lean on me” parts.
Overall, teaching kindness to children is an ongoing process that requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. By modeling kindness, explaining its importance, and providing opportunities for children to practice it, we can help children develop empathy, respect, and a strong sense of compassion towards others.
If you’re looking for some quick, easy, done-for-you lesson plans to teach your students about kindness, I’ve got you music teacher. My lesson plan bundle has several great lesson plans for the storybook All are Welcome, by Alexandra Penfold. You can grab it by clicking the button below!