Every Kindness Counts

Do you hold the door open for people? Pick up litter? Do little things to improve another person’s day? Those are Random Acts of Kindness! This year we celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17^th, but kindness is something that we should practice as often as possible.

Positive feelings can be infectious and doing something nice for someone can make them want to pay the feeling forward. It also makes you feel good to do something nice for another person. One of the best ways to teach your child to be kind is to model the behavior.

My nephews ask me why they have to say please and thank you all the time (usually after they demand juice or a snack and I just look at them unmoving). My short answer to them is because I don’t want to do nice things for people that are rude to me. The longer answer ties into the idea that the quality of kindness goes hand in hand with other positive traits, like empathy, generosity, and respect. All of those attributes help to create a sense of connection and community. I feel like this is a lesson that we all need to be reminded of, not just my nephews.

If you are looking for some ways to participate in Random Acts of Kindness Day or if you want to learn more about it please visit their website at https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

The Mercer County Library System also has great resources to help your child learn about kindness. Below is a list of picture books to help get the conversation started, as well as parenting books. In the words of my favorite Tim McGraw song, “always stay humble and kind!”

Picture Books

Cara's Kindness by Kristi Yamaguchi

Cara drops everything to help a friend in end. All she asks is that he pay it forward.

Give Thank You a Try by James Patterson

An illustrated exploration of the phrase "thank you" and the many scenarios of kindness and gratitude in which it can be used.

Wonder Woman. Be a Star, Wonder Woman! by Michael Dahl

As a new day dawns, a young girl faces the ultimate challenge: school! Follow along as she demonstrates her greatest superpower (sharing), overcomes her worst fear (the playground),and conquers her archenemy (the spelling test). With courage, kindness, and other heroic traits of DC Comics' Wonder Woman, she'll turn a difficult school day into an AMAZING ADVENTURE! Along with Omar Lozano's bright, bold illustrations, bestselling author Michael Dahl (Bedtime for Batman and Good Morning, Superman) delivers an imaginative read-aloud for your littlest super heroes.

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller

When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind, and how each act, big or small, can make a difference or at least help a friend.

I am Kind by Jenny Fretland VanVoorst

Kindness is one of the top traits we look for in friends. What makes this quality so important? What happens when we aren't kind? Young readers can explore this meaning of this virtue and learn how to exhibit it themselves in this helpful title.

K is for Kindness by Rina Horiuchi

From aardvark to zebra, this delightful cast of animal characters illustrates the many ways to show kindness to others, while teaching the youngest readers their ABCs.

Parenting Books

Teaching Kids to be Kind: A Guide to Raising Compassionate and Caring Children by Rachel Tomlinson

As a parent, you want the best for your child, and one of your greatest hopes is that your child will grow up to be a good person. So, what makes a good person? Generally, we think about good people as being kind: those who are compassionate, empathetic, generous. However, it seems that, in our fast-paced, individual-driven society, kindness is fading and the pressure on parents to raise socially conscious, empathetic, and caring children can seem overwhelming at times.

Mindful Discipline: A Loving Approach to Setting Limits & Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by Shauna L. Shapiro

Raising happy, compassionate, and responsible children requires both love and limits. In Mindful Discipline, internationally recognized mindfulness expert Shauna Shapiro and pediatrician Chris White weave together ancient wisdom and modern science to provide new perspectives on parenting and discipline.

How to Raise Kind Kids: And Get Respect, Gratitude, and a Happier Family in the Bargain by Thomas Lickona

Can you teach a child to be kind? This vital question is taking on a new urgency as our culture grows ever more abrasive and divided. A world-renown developmental psychologist, Dr. Thomas Lickona has lead the character education movement in schools for 40 years and now he shares with parents the vital tools they need to create a culture of kindness at home. Kindness doesn't stand on its own: it needs a supporting cast of other essential virtues like self-control, good judgment and gratitude.

How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results by Esther Wojcicki

The Godmother of Silicon Valley, legendary teacher, and mother of a Super Family shares her tried-and-tested methods for raising happy, healthy, successful children using Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness: TRICK.

The Art of Talking with Children: The Simple Keys to Nurturing Kindness, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids by Rebecca Rolland

From a Harvard faculty member and oral language specialist, an invaluable guide that gives readers evidence-based tools and techniques to communicate more effectively with children in ways that let them foster relationships with less conflict and more joy and kindness.

- by Michelle C., Robbinsville Branch