I Choose Kindness: A Colorful, Picture Book About Kindness, Compassion, and Empathy
#3 of 19 in Teacher and Therapist Toolbox: I Choose Series
on Goodreads (26)
What’s inside...
In this rhyming story, Olivia learns how great it feels to be kind. Through colorful illustrations and rhythmic rhymes, she discovers and reveals her inner kindness. This book, 'I Choose Kindness', focuses on social emotional learning (SEL) and has been praised by teachers and therapists worldwide. The story, told from Olivia's perspective, aims to teach children about empathy and compassion. It shows how being kind can positively affect others and oneself. With real-life examples portrayed by Olivia, children can learn to understand and manage their emotions. This book is part of an empowering series developed in collaboration with teachers and therapists to help children handle a range of emotions and learn that they have the power to choose their actions and reactions. The message of the book emphasizes that kindness is a superpower that should not be hidden and encourages children to treat others fairly and without judgment.
Discussion points
What do you think kindness looks like? Can you give an example from the book?
How did the characters show compassion to each other? How did that make them feel?
Why is empathy important? How do you think you can show empathy to your friends?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as the characters in the book?
Can you think of a time when someone was kind to you? How did that make you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings as they relate to the book. Use open body language and affirmative responses to foster a warm, open conversation. Highlight specific examples from the book, and correlate them to real-life situations your child might encounter. This will help them better understand and apply the themes of kindness, compassion, and empathy. Consider using role-play to reenact scenes from the book to deepen understanding and engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: The book portrays various scenarios where characters choose acts of kindness, such as sharing toys and helping others without expecting anything in return.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing their snacks or toys with peers, fostering a nurturing and cooperative environment.
Example Lesson: Understanding empathy
Explanation: Characters in the book express understanding and empathy towards their friends' feelings, teaching children to recognize emotions in others.
Real-World Application: This helps children learn to be considerate of their friends' and family members' emotions, encouraging them to offer comfort or help when someone is upset.
Example Lesson: The value of compassion
Explanation: Through engaging illustrations and narratives, the book highlights characters acting compassionately in tough situations, such as comforting a friend who is sad.
Real-World Application: Children learn to extend compassion in real-life situations, such as by being patient with a new student or helping a sibling in distress.
Example Lesson: Promoting inclusivity
Explanation: The book includes diverse characters interacting positively and learning from each other’s differences, promoting a message of inclusivity and acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children can embrace diversity in their community and school, learning to interact and collaborate with peers from various backgrounds.
Example Lesson: The power of good choices
Explanation: Each story segment concludes with a character making a positive choice, emphasizing the impact of good decisions on personal and communal well-being.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think about the consequences of their actions and choose behaviors that contribute positively to their surroundings.