22 small acts of kindness for children

small acts of kindness
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Did you know that kindness can change the world? Sometimes it can feel all too easy to feel disempowered when it comes to the world we live in. But if there’s one thing I am confident of, it’s that kindness can have the potential to change the world because it has a ripple effect that can impact not only the person who receives it, but also those around them. This means that small acts of kindness can go a very long way!

When someone experiences kindness, it can lift their spirits and make them feel valued and appreciated. This can lead to a positive chain reaction, as they may be more likely to pass on that kindness to someone else.

Additionally, acts of kindness can help break down barriers and foster connections between people from different backgrounds or with different beliefs. This can lead to greater understanding, empathy, and cooperation, which are essential for building a more peaceful and harmonious world.

Furthermore, kindness can inspire others to be kind as well. When people see others engaging in acts of kindness, it can motivate them to do the same. This can create a positive culture of kindness that can permeate throughout communities and ultimately contribute to a more compassionate and caring society.

In fact, if there is only one attribute I have to say that I have focussed on instilling in our house, and in our daughter, it is kindness – so important it is to raising happy, resilient, connected children who will grow up to be all-around good human beings.

The importance of teaching kindness to children

Teaching kindness to children is important for several reasons:

  1. Builds empathy: When children learn to be kind to others, it helps them develop empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathy is an essential component of healthy relationships, and it helps children develop compassion and consideration for others.
  2. Reduces bullying: By teaching kindness, we can help reduce bullying in schools and communities. Children who learn to be kind are less likely to engage in bullying behaviour, and they are more likely to stand up for others who are being bullied.
  3. Encourages positive behaviour: When children are taught to be kind, they are more likely to engage in positive behaviour. They learn to be helpful, considerate, and respectful of others, which can help them build healthy relationships and succeed in their personal and professional lives.
  4. Fosters a sense of community: When children learn to be kind, it helps them develop a sense of community. They learn that their actions can impact others and that they have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of their community.
  5. Promotes happiness: Research has shown that acts of kindness can increase feelings of happiness and well-being. By teaching children to be kind, we are helping them develop habits that can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life.

22 small acts of kindness for children

  1. Hold the door open for someone.
  2. Share your toys with a friend.
  3. Help a classmate with their schoolwork.
  4. Say “please” and “thank you” when speaking to others.
  5. Give a compliment to someone.
  6. Offer to help a family member with chores.
  7. Give someone a hug when they’re feeling sad.
  8. Let someone go ahead of you in line.
  9. Volunteer your time to pick up litter on the streets or beach
  10. Offer to share your snack with a friend.
  11. Draw a picture or write a letter to someone you appreciate.
  12. Help a younger child with a task or game.
  13. Raise money for an important cause.
  14. Smile and say hello to someone you don’t know.
  15. Listen to someone who needs to talk.
  16. Donate items you no longer need but someone else might.
  17. Hold a friend’s hand when they’re feeling scared.
  18. Say something kind to yourself in the mirror.
  19. Make a card for someone’s birthday or special occasion.
  20. Offer to water a neighbor’s plants while they’re away.
  21. Make someone laugh with a silly joke or story.
  22. Say “I love you” to someone you care about.

Looking for more ways to inspire children to be upstanding citizens in our world? SuperKind is a not-for-profit education and social action platform which aims educate, inspire and empower children and young people to become change-makers and start a lifelong commitment to charitable activities.

  • Educate – https://superkind.org/causes – SuperKind features unrivalled age-appropriate resources on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and other important current issues (e.g. the war in Ukraine or the Turkey/Syria earthquake.
  • Inspire – https://superkind.org/change-makers – On SuperKind children can find case studies of over 50 young change-makers who have taken action and achieved incredible things. 
  • Empower – https://superkind.org/take-action – SuperKind boasts 12 step-by-step toolkits to teach children how to take action in an easy and meaningful way. Coming very soon is the world’s first cross-charity fundraising platform built for children and their schools, featuring over 20,000 charities. 

5 comments

  1. I absolutely adored reading your article! Your creative ideas for small acts of kindness towards children are truly heartwarming and inspiring. Keep spreading positivity and joy!

  2. These are all really lovely ideas for random acts of kindness. We should all aim to try to teach our children to be kind. It can make a big difference to some ones day when we show them kindness.

  3. These are all lovely ideas and so important for kids to learn kindness as early as possible. It makes a big difference to know they grow up and treat people x

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