Fostering Kindness in the Classroom: Activities for Young Learners

Kindness is more than just being polite; it’s the foundation of empathy, connection, and a positive classroom environment. For young learners, practising kindness helps build social-emotional skills, encourages teamwork, and creates a space where every child feels valued.

Research from The Journal of School Psychology shows that teaching kindness improves children’s self-esteem, reduces bullying, and fosters stronger peer relationships. The good news? Kindness can be cultivated through simple, engaging activities woven into daily classroom routines.

1. Start the Day with a Kindness Pledge

Begin each morning with a classroom pledge to be kind. Use simple phrases like: “I promise to be kind to myself and others today.”

Extend It: Display the pledge in a prominent place and invite children to illustrate it with drawings of kind acts, such as sharing or helping a friend.

Why It Works: This daily affirmation sets a positive tone for the day and reminds children of the importance of kindness.

2. Kindness Tokens

Create “Kindness Tokens” (paper hearts or smiley-face cutouts) for children to give to classmates who show acts of kindness.

Activity: At the end of the week, reflect as a class on the kind actions observed and celebrated. Ask questions like, “How did it feel to give or receive a token?”

Why It Works: This reinforces positive behaviour and helps children recognise and appreciate kindness in others.

3. Storytime with a Message

Choose books that emphasize kindness and discuss them as a class. Some excellent options include:

• Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud: A simple yet powerful way to teach kids about kindness and empathy.

• Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller: A story that shows how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

  
  

Discussion Prompts:

• “How did the characters show kindness?”

• “What can we do to fill someone’s bucket today?”

  
  

Extend It: Pair the story with journaling prompts like, “What kind act can I do today?”

4. Create a Kindness Jar

Place a jar in the classroom where students can add slips of paper describing acts of kindness they witnessed or experienced.

Activity: At the end of each week, read the notes together and celebrate the acts of kindness shared.

Why It Works: This activity encourages mindfulness and reflection, helping children notice and value kind behaviours.

5. Role-Play Kindness Scenarios

Use role-playing to teach children how to respond kindly in various situations, such as:

• Helping a friend who feels sad.

• Sharing toys during playtime.

• Inviting a new classmate to join a group activity.

  
  

Why It Works: Role-playing helps children practice kindness in a safe, guided setting, making it easier for them to act kindly in real-life situations.

6. Create a Kindness Chain

Use strips of colourful paper to create a kindness chain. Each time a student performs a kind act, they write it on a strip and add it to the chain. Watch it grow as the days go by!

Extend It: Set a class goal, such as creating a chain long enough to stretch across the classroom. Celebrate when the goal is achieved.

Why It Works: This visual representation of kindness motivates children to contribute actively to the classroom’s positive atmosphere.

7. Teach Kindness Through Gratitude

Introduce gratitude activities to reinforce kindness. For example:

• Gratitude Circles: At the end of the day, each child shares one thing they’re thankful for about a classmate.

• Thank You Notes: Help students write simple thank-you notes to peers, teachers, or even the janitor for their contributions.

  
  

Why It Works: Gratitude cultivates appreciation and encourages children to notice the good in others.

8. Kindness Through Teamwork

Incorporate group projects that require teamwork and collaboration, such as:

• Building a class mural or art project.

• Planting flowers in the school garden.

  
  

Activity Extension: After the project, reflect on how working together made the task easier and more enjoyable.

9. Use Positive Affirmations

Teach children affirmations that promote kindness, such as:

• “I can be kind to others.”

• “My kind words make people happy.”

  
  

Extend It: Incorporate these affirmations into mindfulness or quiet time, reinforcing their importance.

Building a Culture of Kindness

Teaching kindness in the classroom isn’t just about individual actions; it’s about creating a culture where kindness becomes second nature. Through simple activities like pledges, role-playing, and gratitude circles, you can nurture empathy, strengthen peer connections, and build a positive learning environment.

Remember, even small acts of kindness can make a big difference—and by teaching these habits early, you’re setting your students on a lifelong path of compassion and connection.