What is Random Acts of Kindness Day?
17th February 2023 marks Random Acts of Kindness Day. It is now a day celebrated worldwide to encourage people to be kind to one another and undertake random acts of kindness. It was a movement that originated in New Zealand through the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, which believes in the positive power of kindness.
Being kind is excellent for the person receiving the act of kindness, but it also can make the person giving the kindness feel positive and happy. So Random Acts of Kindness Day is a way to spread positivity and joy by doing something nice for those around you.
Why is it Important to Teach Children About Random Acts of Kindness?
Teaching children about Random Acts of Kindness Day is a great way to open conversations around feelings and well-being. It can encourage kids to realise the power of their actions and help them develop social skills, such as empathy, tolerance, and self-awareness.
Teaching children about the positive power of kindness can empower them to be kind and shape the world in the way they want.
Teaching children some simple random acts of kindness that they can do for someone is a great way to get kids involved in the day and help them learn about kindness and compassion toward others.
What Are Some Tips for Teaching Kids About Random Acts of Kindness?
1) Show them how
When it comes to learning about life, you are a role model for your kids. So, teach them how to be kind by being kind yourself. They will see this and want to copy your positive behaviour.
2) Play and learn
Playing is a great way to teach kids about random acts of kindness. Through play, kids need to respect each other, take turns, act with integrity, and have the courage to climb and explore. All these aspects of play encourage kids to be kind. Next time they go out to play, be sure you acknowledge when they are being kind.
3) Kindness story time
Reading a children’s book about kindness is a great way to teach kids about acts of kindness. These books don’t just have to be about being kind to others. Books about self-confidence, being kind to themselves or the environment and looking after the planet also demonstrate acts of kindness. Get your kids to think broadly about caring and empathy; this will be the best way to teach them about kindness overall.
4) Don’t expect anything in return
Many aspects can make a person kind; acting honestly, being patient and considering others’ feelings are just a few. However, the most important thing to teach your kids is that you don’t act kindly to get something in return. You do it because it is the right thing to do.
5) Keep being kind everyday
Although Random Acts of Kindness Day is a special day to help promote the power of being kind, being kind isn’t a once-a-year thing! Remind your children that to really be kind, you must try to be caring everyday, as that is the best way to be kind.
What Can Parents Do to Encourage Random Acts of Kindness in the Home?
As a parent, there are some easy things that you can do to encourage random acts of kindness at home.
One of the best ways to do this is by demonstrating kindness daily, as kids will notice this and wan to follow suit. So, let them see you being kind to others. For example, when you hold the door for someone in the café or help your neighbour carry out an errand.
It’s also super important to acknowledge when your kids are kind to someone and let them know why that was kind. You don’t need to reward them, but just recognise that what they did was nice and the reason behind it. This will help to encourage random acts of kindness.
Another way to promote kindness at home is to give your kids responsibilities. This will help them to learn to be reliable and do what is expected to support others. For example, if you have a family pet, giving your kids the responsibility to feed your pet in the mornings helps them to learn responsibility and compassion towards others.
A creative way to teach your children about kindness at home would be to ask them to draw a picture of your family acting kind. Then chat with your little ones about what they have drawn and identify the act of kindness in their image. This will help them identify acts of kindness and remind them how they can be kind at home.
Family and kindness go hand in hand. Teaching kids to be respectful and treating people and places in a thoughtful way will naturally encourage them to be kind at home. For example, packing their toys away when they have finished playing so that they treat their home environment with care or sharing toys with siblings and turn-taking during a family game also shows respect and can encourage kindness.
How Can You Celebrate This Day with Your Kids?
A fun way to celebrate Random Acts of kindness day with your kids would be to write and leave kindness notes for each other around the house and yard. These notes will surely bring a smile to your face as you go about your day!
You could celebrate this day by baking a cake together and sharing the washing up duties. This is sure to be a tasty way to mark the day and remind your kids that sharing tasks (and treats!) is a great way to be kind.
Do your kids have a favourite way to show kindness, or perhaps you have your own way of celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day? Be sure to let us know @PlumPlayAus #LifeAtPlay.
