11/11/2024

15 tips for parents to encourage kindness

World Kindness Day, celebrated annually on November 13th, is a reminder of the power of kindness to brighten lives, build connections, and create a ripple effect of positivity. For parents, it’s a great chance to help children develop a lifelong habit of kindness. Teaching kindness goes beyond one day — it’s something that we should aim for every day, encouraging children to grow into compassionate, empathetic individuals. Here are 15 tips to help you make kindness a core value in your family.

Model Kindness Daily

Children often emulate the behaviour they observe in their parents. Show them kindness by treating others with respect, patience, and compassion. Whether you’re helping a neighbour, being a polite customer, or showing empathy to a friend, these moments become examples for your children.

Encourage Small Acts of Kindness

Start with simple, age-appropriate acts. Younger children can help with household chores, share toys, or draw a picture to cheer someone up. Older kids can take on small community projects, like picking up litter or helping a friend with homework. These little actions encourage empathy and compassion.

Teach Active Listening

Active listening helps children understand others’ needs and emotions. Teach them to listen without interrupting, make eye contact, and ask questions. Practicing this helps them empathize with others, making them more likely to respond with kindness.

Read Stories that Promote Kindness

Books are a fantastic way to introduce and discuss kindness. Choose stories with kind-hearted characters, and after reading, ask your child how they’d feel if they were in the character’s place. Stories can spark interesting conversations and give examples of kindness in action.

Create a Family Kindness Challenge

Make kindness fun with a family challenge! Set a goal for each family member to complete a specific act of kindness each day or week. This could be as simple as writing a thank-you note, helping a sibling, or calling a relative. Share your acts at dinner and build a positive family tradition.

Practice Empathy through Role-Playing

Role-playing helps kids understand other perspectives. Create scenarios where your child plays different roles, like a friend feeling sad or a sibling needing help. Guide them on how to respond with kindness, teaching empathy in a way that feels playful and interactive.

Celebrate the Small Acts

Sometimes, a smile or a kind word makes a huge difference. Encourage your child to notice these “small” acts, and celebrate them. Recognizing that little gestures matter helps children see that kindness doesn’t always have to be grand to be meaningful.

Use Kind Language at Home

Words are powerful, and the language you use at home shapes your child’s understanding of kindness. Avoid negative, harsh language, and try to use “please,” “thank you,” and “I’m sorry” regularly. When children hear kindness in everyday conversations, they’re more likely to also do this themselves.

Introduce the Concept of Self-Kindness

Being kind to ourselves is just as important as being kind to others. Teach your children about self-compassion and self-care. Show them how to forgive themselves for mistakes and encourage them to speak kindly to themselves. This helps them build self-esteem and emotional resilience.

Volunteer Together as a Family

Community service is an excellent way for children to see the impact of kindness. Look for age-appropriate volunteer opportunities — such as animal shelters, nursing homes, or local food banks — and make it a family activity. Volunteering helps kids understand that their actions can make a positive difference.

Encourage Gratitude and Appreciation

Gratitude is closely linked to kindness. Create a gratitude practice in your family by encouraging everyone to share something they’re grateful for each day. When children learn to appreciate the good things in their lives, they are more likely to spread positivity to others.

Teach Conflict Resolution with Kindness

Conflicts are inevitable, especially with siblings or friends. Teach your child to resolve conflicts with kindness by using “I” statements to express feelings (“I feel sad when…”), practicing compromise, and showing forgiveness. Help them see that kindness doesn’t mean avoiding conflict, but handling it respectfully.

Highlight Kindness in Media

Media can provide powerful examples of kindness — or, unfortunately, the opposite. Choose TV shows, movies, and online content that reinforce positive messages. Afterward, discuss the characters' actions with your child, asking how kindness (or a lack thereof) affected the story. Media literacy can help kids understand the real-world effects of kindness. See more in our blog on Social Media Kindness Day tips for parents.

Show Kindness to Animals

Caring for animals teaches empathy and compassion. If you have a pet, involve your child in its care. If not, consider volunteering at an animal shelter or even feeding local birds. Showing kindness to animals is a gentle yet powerful way to teach your child about responsibility, respect, and compassion.

Celebrate World Kindness Day Together

Dedicate November 13th to celebrating kindness in a special way. You could spend the day performing random acts of kindness, creating thank-you cards for community helpers, or baking treats for neighbours. Talk about what kindness means and set goals for future acts of kindness as a family.

#WorldKindnessDay