Kindness Week
What’s inside...
Kick off kindness week with this engaging text on how one student, Aniyah, was able to spread kindness around her school. Tahiya Cooper creates a rich text that allows students of all ethnicity, race, religion, disability, and nationality to find themselves and relate. Although third grade can be challenging, Aniyah has learned that being kind is one of the easiest things she can do. Excited for kindness week at her school, Aniyah encounters a classmate who doesn’t understand the purpose of performing acts of kindness for others. Find out how Aniyah challenges her classmate and demonstrates the importance of stepping outside of the box and doing something nice for others.
Age
5-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What does kindness mean to you?
Can you remember a time when someone was kind to you? How did it make you feel?
Why do you think it's important to be kind to others?
How can you show kindness to someone this week?
What's one kind thing you would like to do for someone else?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, use examples of kindness from your own experiences to help your child connect the themes to real life.
Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and thoughts on the actions of the characters, fostering empathy and understanding.
Ask your child to think of specific ways they can show kindness in their daily activities, reinforcing the idea that small actions make a big impact.
Praise your child for past kind behaviors to motivate them to continue being kind-hearted.
Consider setting a ‘kindness challenge’ for the whole family, where each member tries to do something kind every day for a week.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'Kindness Week', characters demonstrate understanding and compassion towards each other's feelings, helping children grasp the importance of seeing things from another's perspective.
Real-World Application: Children learn to recognize emotions in others and respond appropriately, fostering better relationships with peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Inclusivity
Explanation: The story showcases diverse characters interacting and participating together in activities, emphasizing that everyone deserves to be included regardless of differences.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to include all peers in their play and learning activities, promoting a sense of community and acceptance.
Example Lesson: The power of kindness
Explanation: The narrative revolves around acts of kindness and their positive outcomes, illustrating how small acts can make a big difference.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by engaging in simple, kind gestures like sharing, helping out, and speaking kindly, positively impacting their surroundings.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Characters in the book take on tasks that benefit the group, teaching children the value of being responsible and taking initiative.
Real-World Application: This translates to children taking on small responsibilities at home or school, learning accountability and contributing to their communities.