This summer our family experienced an event that meant our entire family would have to undergo rabies vaccinations {FB link}. It was bit of an ordeal but some really great things came from it. One of the unexpected benefits was that the experience taught our kids a few things about kindness. I love writing about stories that have happy endings, and I think this post not only offers tips on teaching kindness, it’s an encouraging post for moms.

Teaching Kids about Kindness

As a parent, I’ve realized that in order to help teach my children about kindness I need to point it out to them right when it’s happening. When someone else models kindness I think it makes an even bigger impact than when I do it.

For instance, our vaccinations required us to visit the hospital for follow up shots. On our last visit the hospital nurse had a special surprise for my boys – giant Superman cups! We had mentioned on our previous visit how much our boys liked Superman and we were so happily surprised by her gift of Superman cups filled with bagged cookie snacks. She did not have to go through the extra effort to be so kind to our family – but she did! And she made a mighty impact with her one simple act – my boys will never forget how they got the Superman cups. {Affiliate links are included in this post for your convenience.}

That precious nurse turned an event from one we had to endure into one with a happy ending. Her thoughtfulness made a huge impact on my boys and I like to think that their grins and repetitive “thank-you’s” made her day too.

Beloved reader – your acts of kindness make a huge difference to those around you and especially to the little eyes who are watching. I’m so thankful for our nurse’s act of kindness, I hardly have words.

If you look at the word kindness, there are so many ways it can be expressed.

kind·ness

(definition from Google)

the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
synonyms: kindliness, kindheartedness, warmheartedness, affection, warmth, gentleness, concern, care; consideration, helpfulness, thoughtfulness, unselfishness, selflessness, altruism, compassion, sympathy, understanding, big-heartedness, benevolence, benignity, friendliness, hospitality, neighborliness; generosity, magnanimity, charitableness
a kind act.

Some ideas for Teaching Kids about Kindness

Catch them doing something right – My niece sat down and read a story to one of my boys. She made up the story, but just the fact that she took a little time to pay attention to him and read to him was so sweet. I made sure to thank her and I asked my son to thank her too. She was thrilled by our responses and wanted to read to him even more. I love it when I discover one of the children in my life doing something kind. I always treat it like something special and let the child know how their act of kindness is appreciated.

2. Encourage acts of hospitality – My little guy is only two but he loves to give a hug hello or goodbye to our friends who come over for a visit. Our family considers hugs a sign of hospitality. We want our friends to feel welcome in our home – a legacy we want to pass along to our children.

3. Point out the acts of kindness of others – When our helpful nurse gave us a small gift we made sure to let out boys know how special the gift was. We’ve been teaching them to say “thank-you” and show gratitude for acts of kindness and generosity.

4. Model kindness – Is there someone you know who could use child care for the afternoon? What about a new family in the neighborhood? Would they like some homemade co-kid created cookies? Be creative and let your kids see your acts of kindness.

5. Kindness resources – There are a few books and a DVD, that myself, and our boys enjoy on the topic of kindness. If you’re looking for resources to teach kids about kindness – you can read more and purchase these items on Amazon.

What does it mean to be Kind? by Rana DiOrio: A beautiful bookwas named a 2015 Moonbeam Gold Medalist and won a Mom’s Choice Gold Award. A girl in a red hat finds the courage to be kind to the new student in class. Her kindness spreads, kind act by kind act, until her whole community experiences the magical shift that happens when everyone understands―and acts on―what it means to be kind.
Miss Spider’s Tea Party – The Counting Book by David Kirk: Miss Spider would like to throw a tea party and have all of the neighborhood insects over for tea. None of the insects want to attend her party, because she is, after all, a spider. The story has a happy ending though as the last line reads, “We’ve heard you’re kind. Come on, let’s play!” Our boys love this board book and we read it all the time.
Disney’s Play-a-Sound Mickey Mouse Clubhouse “Friends Like You” by Veronica Wagner: This book is about friends helping friends. One of my favorite lines from the book, “Friends share work and chores like cleaning up.” It’s a great message that applies to families too. It’s part of a three book series with some great reads for young children.
Another one of our board book favorites reads, “K is for kettle, and king, and you’ll find, it also reminds us to always be kind.” It’s from the VeggieTales book “Bob and Larry’s ABC’s” by Phil Vischer.
We also enjoy the story of the Good Samaratin as told by VeggieTales creators in their DVD video “Are You My Neighbor?“. The story is told using adorable characters, rhyme, and songs. The message is positive and uplifting and a perfect tool for talking to kids about helping others. Another family donated all their VeggieTales movies to our family when their kids outgrew the videos – a wonderful act of kindness that has blessed our family.
Rattlebang – This is the perfect book for keeping the attention of little boys. This story is adapted from the Story of the Good Samaritan. It’s about an old, rattlebang truck that has a heart of gold and the ability to show kindness to others. It’s a great read-aloud book for 4 and 5-year-olds, especially if the adult reader puts lots of expression in their reading of the story. A fun read for the whole family!

6. Pay it Forward – Every once in awhile I go through the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A and the person ahead of me has bought my lunch. Whenever I can, I pay it forward. I don’t know what it is about the folks who like to eat at Chick-fil-A – but those are my kind of people! Ya’ll inspire me to pay-it-forward. Thank you.

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