When I became a mother, I feared for my child. This world can be so cruel and disappointing. With this in mind, I decided that i wanted my child to be that little bit of good in a world full of evil, I wanted him to spread love and kindness despite the hardships he might encounter. Unique traits and habits can be taught to our children from a very young age, and this includes teaching them how to be kind, a trait that I feel, makes the world go round.
With everything we want our kids to learn, the first step is set an example, or be the example. If you can execute this, the rest of the "lesson" is simple.
I kept this thought in mind and as my son grew I knew that it was time to become active in instilling a sense of kindness in him and in our family as a whole. So, I searched the net for some ideas and I came across this brilliant idea that I thought would be perfect for my toddler, and our whole family in fact, to participate in. The concept is to create a tree by doing acts of kindness.
Building A Tree Of Kindness
Apart from the materials listed below, you will need enthusiastic family members to participate in this activity, so that it can reach the main objective, which is to spread joy and kindness to those you come in to contact with. Not only will kids learn about kindness, they will also learn what they can do to be kind and why certain acts are regarded as being kind. To add, children also have the chance to be the recipients of kindness through this activity, making them appreciate the act so much more.
The materials you will need:
- A sheet of brown paper, or white paper and brown paint
- Colorful sheets of paper or card
- A marker
- Scissors
- A large envelope
- Sticky tape or prestik
Instructions:
- This activity requires some prep work. Use your marker to draw a large tree with spreading branches. Cut this out and then stick it on to an open wall or window.
- Next step is to draw and cut out some hearts. If you have older kids, you can get them in on this action. Put all the hearts you have cut into your envelope for safe keeping. These hearts will eventually make up the leaves (or flowers) of the tree.
- Each time a family member does something kind for you or for someone else, let them know that they have just been kind. Write their name on one of the cut out hearts as well as the kind thing they did and stick it on to one of the branches of the tree.
- While the tree is up, ask your kids to tell you if someone else is being kind, like a family member or friend, and then write their name and act of kindness on a heart too.
We want to instill compassion and empathy in our children and I feel that being very aware of the concept of kindness can do this. This activity also has the potential to bring the family unit closer, just another perk!
Of course this little idea can also be adapted to be a classroom project! Teachers can draw the tree trunk and branches on to the classroom wall and students can participate in acts of kindness to get their names on the branches, making this an awesome "team building" experience.
For some, kindness comes naturally, for others, they need to build confidence and a bit of awareness before they learn to perform kind acts and gestures. As parents and educators, it really is part of our jobs to guide children to be individuals who can cope in society an help others cope as well. This simple and easy activity has the potential to have amazing outcomes in helping to create little beings who see how important it is to do good in this world.
I upvoted and resteemed your post. I also started following you to see more of your work.
When I was a case manager in child welfare, this would have been a super cool idea!
Great post. we need to ensure that we bring the next generation up to be thoughtful, caring and kind. There is so much bad in this world and it makes the need to educate our little ones in a positive way so much more important! I will be settling my little one down after school tomorrow to give this a go! I am blessed that she is a kind and caring soul already and I often pray that she will receive back the same kindness that she gives. Thanks for the post :)
Nice @sweetpea, follow @ajaa23 yes
I totally love the idea. To a child, it's a game... an interesting one. This is definitely something I would do when I have children. Thanks for the insight!
Beautiful creative idea! Children would love it!
Already when we become mothers we are afraid of our children from the air
We know how much the parents suffered from the same thing
I love this @sweetpea. I am going to use it at the preschool where I work, as an incentive and also going to start a tree at home for my grandchild, although she's only 11 months old now. She can grow up being aware of kindness from an early age. Thanks for sharing this lovely idea. Nice to meet another South African, I'm down the coast from you in Leisure Bay.
Lovely!
What a great idea. I have seen this type of idea used in kindergarten classrooms before but I never thought to bring it home to my own children.
This is a lovely Idea, thank you for the idea. This could also be used with those who are non-neurotypical, such as those on the autism spectrum, as (we) are not always aware of various societal norms and this could encourage not only kindness, but forethought, emotional intelligence, and identification of appropriate behavior.