Alexander Molteno, Llandudno Primary School principal
Why are acts of kindness so important? In today’s fast-paced world, where people are quick to judge and often harshly, teaching our children to be kind, is more crucial than ever.
Kindness isn’t just about nice gestures - it’s a fundamental trait that can make us feel really good and healthy.
As parents and teachers, it’s our job to teach this virtue to our children, not just for their own happiness but to make the world a better place.
Kindness has amazing benefits that go beyond just feeling good in the moment.
Studies show that when we do something nice for someone else, our brains release chemicals that make us feel happy and content.
What’s more, being kind can lower stress, keep our hearts healthy, and even help us live longer.
But how do we help our kids understand and practise this?
Teaching kindness starts with simple, everyday actions.
Children learn by watching what adults do, so when they see us being kind - like thanking someone who helps us, saying nice things to neighbours, or giving up a seat to someone who needs it - they are likely to do the same.
We can start conversations about kindness with questions like: “How do you think she felt when that happened?” or “What could we do to help him feel better?”
This helps children think about others’ feelings and learn to care more, setting the foundation for compassion.
We should encourage kids to do small kind acts every day, like sharing a toy or helping a friend.
These actions shouldn’t feel like chores, but rather chances to feel good and build empathy.
When we do good things, we feel good too, creating a cycle of happiness that makes everyone feel better.
Making kindness fun and rewarding can really help children want to be kinder.
It’s also important to make kindness a consistent part of daily life.
For example, setting a family kindness challenge every week, where each member does something thoughtful for someone else, can be a great way to practise regular kindness.
It could be as simple as writing a thank-you note, helping a sibling with a task, or baking cookies for a friend.
This not only helps children practise kindness but also brings the family together in a meaningful way.
Sometimes, being kind can be tough, especially when others are not kind.
It’s important to talk with children about why it’s important to stay kind even when it’s hard.
Role-playing different situations can help kids get ready for times when they need to be kind in difficult circumstances.
Learning this type of emotional strength helps them throughout their lives, giving them the tools to handle tough situations in a good way.
The kindness we teach our children today can lead to a lifetime of caring and connection.
Our role as parents and teachers is not just to teach them school subjects but to help them grow into people who understand and care about others’ feelings.
By making kindness a priority, we prepare our children to not only succeed but to make the world a better place for everyone.
Let’s commit to helping our children grow into caring, thoughtful individuals.
Start today by sharing a simple act of kindness, demonstrating a kind way forward to our children.