DEveloping caring in students
Teaching children to be kind seems simple when they are young and encouraged to take turns, share and use polite words. As they get older we want to instill an even deeper sense of generosity and service toward others.
As part of the IB Learner Profile, we strive to develop learners who are Caring. Caring according the PYP means “they show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and the environment.”
At ASB, service projects, the buddy program, and units of inquiry teach and encourage caring in our students. Students demonstrate caring towards others and the environment as part of a unit on “influential people” in grade 2. In grades 3 and 4, they showed their caring of underprivileged children as they raised money or donations for child-focused NGOs. The whole upper elementary exercises their care and kindness by raising funds during the annual Sports Day. These examples abound at ASB. In all of the classrooms we teach students conflict resolution and social skills that emphasize peaceful and caring behavior in solving problems and working out differences with others.
As a special recognition of Caring, as well as developing Principled, Balanced and Reflective learners, the elementary school recognizes World Kindness Day each November. We dedicate an assembly to feature celebrations and announcements of Kindness Day events which include: wearing orange as a symbol of the life vest because kindness, like a life vest, keeps us afloat in times of trouble; students make and post kindness banners on the playgrounds for all students to sign as their commitment to acts of kindness; a kindness challenge encourages students to do daily acts of random kindness, prompted by daily challenge ideas; and, a "Growing in Kindness Tree" built in the lobby for students to add their reflections on paper leaves as we watch the tree flourish and grow for the rest of the school year.
As families you have an important role in modeling caring through daily acts of kindness. Some parents may wonder how they can further model and teach caring. Families are busy and finding time to volunteer, donate or help out those in need is challenging. But if we take the time for some of these activities, we will instill in our children a spirit of generosity and caring that will last a lifetime. They will benefit through increased self-esteem, pride and knowing that their actions matter in the lives of others.
Here are some ideas for getting children to think about and get involved in deliberate acts of kindness to others:
These activities may seem selfless, but those who are generous in giving know that kindness to others provides a great gift in return. Ask your children about the “Kindness Boomerang” video watched at assembly or watch it again together. By teaching our children to lend a hand we invest in ourselves, our children, other people, and the future of humanity.
Cindy Cleary
Elementary School Counselor
American School of Bombay
As part of the IB Learner Profile, we strive to develop learners who are Caring. Caring according the PYP means “they show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and the environment.”
At ASB, service projects, the buddy program, and units of inquiry teach and encourage caring in our students. Students demonstrate caring towards others and the environment as part of a unit on “influential people” in grade 2. In grades 3 and 4, they showed their caring of underprivileged children as they raised money or donations for child-focused NGOs. The whole upper elementary exercises their care and kindness by raising funds during the annual Sports Day. These examples abound at ASB. In all of the classrooms we teach students conflict resolution and social skills that emphasize peaceful and caring behavior in solving problems and working out differences with others.
As a special recognition of Caring, as well as developing Principled, Balanced and Reflective learners, the elementary school recognizes World Kindness Day each November. We dedicate an assembly to feature celebrations and announcements of Kindness Day events which include: wearing orange as a symbol of the life vest because kindness, like a life vest, keeps us afloat in times of trouble; students make and post kindness banners on the playgrounds for all students to sign as their commitment to acts of kindness; a kindness challenge encourages students to do daily acts of random kindness, prompted by daily challenge ideas; and, a "Growing in Kindness Tree" built in the lobby for students to add their reflections on paper leaves as we watch the tree flourish and grow for the rest of the school year.
As families you have an important role in modeling caring through daily acts of kindness. Some parents may wonder how they can further model and teach caring. Families are busy and finding time to volunteer, donate or help out those in need is challenging. But if we take the time for some of these activities, we will instill in our children a spirit of generosity and caring that will last a lifetime. They will benefit through increased self-esteem, pride and knowing that their actions matter in the lives of others.
Here are some ideas for getting children to think about and get involved in deliberate acts of kindness to others:
- Talk to your children about the needs of others less fortunate – discuss activities that help to feed the hungry, preserve the environment, find cures to disease, rescue animals, provide for orphans or for disabled persons.
- Create a family “Kindness Day." Ask children “What would you like to do, who can we help?” Get them thinking about the needs of others and perhaps schedule one day per month to help others.
- Join or create a group "Kindness Challenge" through KindSpring, a website full of ideas and support for promoting kindness.
- If you have a cause that is important to you, talk about it and share with them how you are supporting the issue with your time and/or money.
- If you give your child allowance, teach them to donate a percentage of it each month to someone else. Help them to brainstorm needs and figure out one cause to support over time or a different cause to support at the end of each month.
- Brainstorm ways that they might raise additional money to support someone in need. They may hold a “garage sale,” make baked goods to sell, or hold an event, like a movie night, to raise funds.
- Involve children in helping friends and family who are in need. Is there a friend who is sick or has a new baby? Plan to deliver a home-cooked meal and involve children in preparing and delivering the meal. Reading to an elderly family member, helping care for younger children, and doing other types of chores for someone in need are ways to show kindness and caring.
These activities may seem selfless, but those who are generous in giving know that kindness to others provides a great gift in return. Ask your children about the “Kindness Boomerang” video watched at assembly or watch it again together. By teaching our children to lend a hand we invest in ourselves, our children, other people, and the future of humanity.
Cindy Cleary
Elementary School Counselor
American School of Bombay