Information & Tips Folder 4
Websites with Information:
Tip: Don't Forget to Take Some Time Each Day to Take Care of Yourself!
SOME ACTIVITIES and STORIES
Studies show that kindness activates the joyful area(s) of the brain. Being kind increases happiness, decreases stress and increases self-esteem. Even small acts of kindness create feelings of self-worth and belonging.
Older students may wish to keep a Gratitude Journal, as being appreciative is linked to being happier! Students can simply list several things that they are Thankful for and People or Situations for which they are Grateful!
READ ABOUT IT
Here are some digital books about feelings:
· Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson · The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig · Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller · If You Plant A Seed by Kadir Nelson · The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister · Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry · My Friend Bear by Jez Alborough · How Do Dinosaurs Stay Friends? by Jane Yolen
All of these books are available through Youtube. |
PRACTICE IT
Your child may choose to draw or write their responses down on paper or discuss their ideas with you. · What do you think kindness is and why is it important? · How do you feel when others are kind to you? · What is one act of kindness you can do for a family member today? · Why is it important to be a good friend? · What is something you can say and do to try to make a new friend?
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Project #1 A Long Distance Hug
This is a great way to encourage thoughts of kindness toward friends and family far away, or even someone in the same town who might need a hug.
What you need: construction paper; crayons or markers; yarn or string; glue; scissors. Envelopes and stamps.
What to do:
- Have your child trace their hands and cut out the shapes.
- Cut a length of string or yarn and glue one end to each hand cut-out.
- Write a message on each hand, or decorate the hands. Add a small card telling the recipient that they are receiving a long-distance hug.
- Mail the hug.
Project #2 Paper Chain of Kindness
This craft is great for encouraging kids to reflect on the kind things people have done for them and to make them think of the kind things that they can do for others.
What you need: construction paper; pencils, crayons or markers; scissors, glue or tape.
What to do: Cut colorful construction paper into strips. Have a pile of strips ready and waiting.
- Encourage your kids to think about times when someone has been kind to them: when a sibling shared a toy, when the babysitter brought them some candy.
- Have the kids write (or help the younger ones write) the act of kindness on a strip of paper, and then bend it into a circle and tape or glue. Take the second one and loop it through the first and tape or glue, eventually making a long chain. Remind your kids that the kind acts they perform can be added to the chain.
Make it a challenge to see how long the chain can be.