Encourage Kindness and Say NO To Bullying
Our children are the biggest accomplishment in our lives in my opinion. I know that words hurt. I know that they are listening to our conversations. I know that they watch what we do and how we react. Therefore, I know its important to make good choices so they have a role model and so they feel heard and seen. That is how they will become.......
While I haven't been in the classroom for years, the memories and the experiences are for a lifetime. Hi, my name is Joni Downey, I'm the creator and founder of Characters of Character NPF. I've seen and I've heard children bully and be bullied and with school starting soon, I hope you talk with your children about being kind and to not bully. Our character Warm-Hearted Walrus supports this.
Teaching children not to bully and to be kind is one of the most important investments we can make in their future. Kindness and respect help children build healthy relationships, develop empathy, and create communities where everyone feels safe, valued, and included.
Think about this:
That Kindness Builds Better Character
Children who learn kindness understand that their words and actions affect others. They become more compassionate, respectful, and responsible which are qualities that help them succeed throughout life, plus they will learn to surround themself with like minded people creating a circle of kindness.
That Bullying Hurts Everyone
Bullying can have lasting effects on a child's emotional well-being, self-confidence, academic success, and sense of belonging. It doesn't only affect the child being bullied; it can also negatively impact those who bully and the children who witness it. I've shared this story before and will share once again. It was a simple tactic that worked. I had a student who came in every morning and disruptive of our classroom. One morning he came in swiped the papers off the desk and hid behind a desk. I joined him on the floor behind the desk and asked him, "Giovanni, how can Miss Joni help you to behave better in our classroom?" His response, "Teach me"
Another situation was with a group of children who never included others in their circle and bullied the other children. I took the bullies aside and asked them how they would feel if somebody was saying or doing these same things to them? I reversed many situations with this because it made them think about others, how they would feel and they soon understood how it was making others feel. The bullied children shared how it made them feel and once their emotions and feelings were validated they truly did join together in their circle to learn how to cope, build each other up and to be kind to one another. Sometimes our words are what make the biggest difference. Good vs. Bad.Empathy Helps Children Make Better Choices
That Kindness Creates Safe Schools and Communities
When children are taught to include others, stand up for what is right, and treat people with respect, classrooms become more welcoming and positive. Children are more willing to learn, participate, and build friendships. Not to mention the climate of the classroom changes and becomes more welcoming. These lessons that we teach today are creating tomorrow.
Children are our future. It's more than beneficial to pour into them today, to teach them well. I love the quote from Benjamin Franklin
TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn.
While summer is closing in, and a new school year is about to begin, please, talk with your children. I'm well aware that society has changed since we raised our children but teaching our children to be better, do better and try harder should be on the top of ones list. Consider this, what if it were your child that was being bullied? What if it was your child who showed no kindness? And on the flip side, what if it was your child who showed kindness and showed up for another who was being bullied?
That Positive Relationships Last a Lifetime
Children who practice kindness learn how to communicate, cooperate, forgive, and resolve conflicts peacefully. These skills strengthen friendships today and prepare them for healthy relationships as adults as well as helps to build better coping skills.
That Kindness Improves Emotional Well-Being
Acts of kindness can increase happiness, reduce stress, and help children feel connected to others. Children who are kind often experience greater self-esteem because they know they are making a positive difference. Allow your child to feel the good in being kind!
That Kindness is a superpower that every child possesses. By teaching children to choose kindness instead of bullying, we help them grow into caring, confident, and respectful individuals who make the world a better place. Every smile, encouraging word, and thoughtful action creates a ripple effect that inspires others to do the same. When children learn to lift others up instead of putting them down, everyone benefits. Check out our Superhero activity book here. And our Kindness Activity book here.
At Characters of Character, we believe that teaching kindness, empathy, respect, and good character equips children with lifelong skills that help them build friendships, overcome challenges, and become compassionate citizens who positively impact their families, schools, and communities
Have a safe, healthy and bully free school year filled with kindness!
Miss Joni and Team Characters