Discover how to raise kind kids. Empower your children with the tools to spread kindness in this insightful blog post. Explore practical tips and ideas that will nurture empathy and compassion from a young age.

We were at a friend’s house and the kids were coloring.  A 3-year-old girl was on the floor screaming (having a temper tantrum). 

My son crouches down next to her, puts his arm around her and tells her it is going to be okay.  I had a proud mom moment.

After several minutes of my son (who is 6) gently talking to the 3-year-old upset girl, she gets up and starts coloring with the other kids.

One of my parenting goals is to raise kind kids.  I teach them with simple acts of kindness. 

Kindness can be simple gestures, such as waving hello to a neighbor. 

Young children can be kind.  It is important to teach kindness at a young age. 

What is kindness?

The dictionary defines kind as:

•  a friendly nature 
• generous or hospitable
• warmhearted
• good 
• charitable
• helpful 
• sympathy or understanding.

These are all characteristics that I want my children to have.  Kindness makes the world a better place. 

How to raise kind kids

• Teach them what kindness means

Starting at the age of 3, kids can start to understand kindness.

A good place to start is the golden rule.  Treat other people the way we would want to be treated.

• Show your kids how to be kind by being kind to others.

We can show them how to be kind by demonstrating kind behavior.  Kids are eager to copy us.

Your kids watch how you treat people.  They notice when you say thank you, they notice when you hold a door open for someone or when you invite a friend to dinner. 

• Show kindness to your kids. 

Give them plenty of praise and attention.  If you see them doing something good, praise them.

If your kids make a mistake or spill something, don’t get frustrated with them.  Say “that’s okay, we all make mistakes.”  Even offer to help them clean it up.

Write encouraging notes to put in their lunchboxes.  Kids love this. I noticed my daughter saves her lunch box notes.

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If you are busy (I understand that you may not enough time to make lunch, let alone write a note), Lunch Box Notes For Kids is a book that contains different tear out notes offering words of encouragement and jokes for you to put in your child’s lunch box.

You can also encourage siblings to write lunch box notes to each other. This helps them with their writing skills as well as being kind. I love it when I can accomplish two things at once.

• Practice empathy

Discuss with your child “how do you think that makes him feel?”  Or “how do you feel when that happens to you?”

My son goes through periods where he finds it difficult to keep his hands to himself. When he hits someone else, I ask him how he feels when someone hits him. Then I ask him how do you think she feels that you hit her?

He is able to tell me that he feels sad and hurt when someone hits him. Hopefully, this will help him keep his hands to himself.

35 Ways Kids Can Show Kindness

1. Wave hello to a neighbor.
2. Let others go first
3. Give someone a compliment.
4. Ask a friend what game they want to play.
5. Make a picture for a neighbor.
6. Help an elderly neighbor with a meal.
7. Write a thank you note to the mailman or garbage man.
8. Hug your friend who is sad.
9. Help an elderly neighbor with yard work.
10. Pat your classmate on the back when he is worried.
11. Share a cookie with your brother.
12. Share your toys with your friends.
13.  Help your mom with dinner.
14. Help keep the house clean.
15. Give someone a treat just because.
16. If someone makes a mistake, say “that’s okay, we all make mistakes.”
17.  Write a nice note on a steamy bathroom mirror with your finger.
18.  Leave a nice note for someone in a library book.
19.  Play with someone who is sitting on a buddy bench.
20. Invite a lonely classmate to join you at lunch.
21. Comfort someone who is sad or scared.
22. Donate old clothes or toys.
23. Donate part of your allowance to a cause you care about.
24. Make your brother his favorite snack.
25. If your classmate forgot his lunch, offer part of your lunch.
26. Write a thank you letter to policemen or firemen.
27. Make eye contact and smile to people.
28. Say please and thank you.
29. Bring a meal to a sick neighbor.
30. Listen to a friend who needs to talk.
31. Help a family member with a chore.
32. Help a classmate who is struggling with homework.
33. Apologize when you mess up.
34. Write a thank you note to your teacher or bus driver.
35.  Tell your coach or scout leader thank you.

Nurture Kindness in Your Children.

The best thing you can do to raise kind kids is to create a culture of kindness in your home. 

Practicing kindness should be a positive experience.  When you notice your kids being kind, thank them and tell them you noticed.  This will reinforce their kind behavior.

The more you practice being kind, the easier it gets.

I would love to read about your ideas on ways kids can be kind.  Please comment below.