Be Kind
“What does it mean to be kind, anyway?”
“Be Kind,” by Pat Zietlow Miller examines all the ways that we can show kindness to one another. In this story, common ways to show kindness are listed like helping with chores, giving to others, and using each other’s names.
What we appreciate about this story is that it honors the fact that it isn’t always easy to be kind and that sometimes our efforts to show kindness may not be immediately effective. We will not always get a positive response from the person we are trying to help - and that’s ok. Be kind anyway.
This story really examines the purpose of kindness and why getting praise or positive feedback is not the goal. Kindness is a way of being. It is all the big and small ways we are good to people around us. Our intentions matter.
This is a great discussion starter with children. We can imagine all the times children might say “I can do that!” or “I do that all the time!” They might even be able to relate to the feeling of not knowing how to help when someone needs it or that they are scared to help because, well, it can be scary to do what’s right.
If we really want a kinder world (and we do!) we must be intentional about it. It is not enough to just demand niceness from our children. We need to show grace and active love towards others as well. We need to have conversations about how kindness isn’t always easy. Children deserve that kind of honesty and can certainly handle these conversations. They are likely already thinking about it. We just need to listen.
Some things to think about…
Was there a time you needed help but didn’t know how to ask? Tell me about it in the comments.
What would you have done to show Tanisha you cared?
Activity idea: Random acts of kindness. Make a list of kind things you could do for someone at your house or in your neighborhood. Would you leave a piece of art on a neighbor’s doorstep? Would you donate your old books to a nearby Free Little Library? See how many you can complete in a week and be sure to journal about how it makes you feel.
