Step Up Your Child’s Kindness Game With This Seven-Day Challenge

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

? Mark Twain

If there is one value that almost everyone appreciates, it is kindness. Almost all parents want their children to be kind and considerate individuals. In our earlier post, we have covered little known ways to teach kindness to children. So, this week, we have come up with a seven-day kindness challenge for you and your child.

These seven days have been divided into seven different parts. It starts with the simplest concept of being kind to yourself and eventually encourages the child to include the people at large. 

Here is how to execute the seven-day kindness challenge for you and your child: 

Day 1: Self

One of the very first things that children need to be taught is being kind to themselves as it promotes happiness and confidence. Also, it sets the tone for all other relationships that the child will have in the future. Being kind to yourself takes practice, but it is one of the most important lessons to be learnt. 

Here are some ideas for Day 1:

• Avoid using words such as ‘Always’ and ‘Never.’ For example: I never get it right. 
• Find a more positive way of expressing your thoughts. For example: ‘I never get it right’ can become ‘I will try this one more time’ or ‘I will practise till I get it right.’

Day 2: Parents

Parents play an important role in a child’s life. Today’s challenge is about being kind to parents. They can demonstrate this for the child by being kind to their own parents. 

Here are some ideas for Day 2:

• Say three nice things to your parents. Tell your parents about any kind thing they did and how it made you feel. For example: Thank you for cooking my favourite dish, it made me feel happy. 
• Spend time with your parents. Play a game with your parents or tell them something that has been on your mind for a long time. Ask your parents if they have something to share with you. Giving full attention is one way of being kind. 

Day 3: Siblings or Cousins

Siblings or cousins are often tough on each other. Fostering a bond that is based on kindness among siblings or cousins is necessary as these are some of the most important emotional  relationships in a child’s life. 

Here are some ideas for Day 3:

• Share something of yours such as a crayon box or a game that you think will make your sibling or cousin happy. Tell them why you thought of sharing that particular thing. 
• Ask your sibling or cousin if they need your help with something. If they are younger to you, then you can do something that they cannot do for themselves. People may not always ask for help that is why we should check in on people and offer help. 

Day 4: Neighbours

Neighbours are a part of our everyday lives. At some point or another, we have experienced the kindness of a neighbour. Being kind to neighbours is the first step towards extending kindness to people outside the family.  

Here are some ideas for Day 4: 

• Leave a nice note outside your neighbour’s door. Ask them if there is anything you can do for them. Also, if you cannot write yet, you can draw a picture and make a greeting card. 
• Give two compliments to your sibling or cousin, which have nothing to do with their appearance. For example: You are a strong person. You are so smart. You have the best sense of humour, etc. 

Day 5: Friends

Although being kind to friends comes naturally to some people, for others the habit needs to be fostered. Parents need to put in an effort to ensure that their child knows what it means to be a kind friend. 

Here are some ideas for Day 5: 

• Tell a nice joke to your friends that will make them laugh
• Ask your friend if they are okay or need help with anything
• Give your friend a compliment that is not about their appearance
• Be grateful for everything that your friend has done for you. 

Day 6 and 7: Others. Strangers and Animals

Now that children have a fair enough idea of what being kind means, we can encourage them to be kind to others around them. 

Here are some ideas for Day 6: 

• Talk to someone that you have not spoken to in a long time
• Donate old clothes to someone who needs them more than you do
• Put out some water for birds outside, especially in summer
• Help parents unload the grocery bags or clean up the house

These are just some ways of completing the kindness challenge. Parents can customise this challenge and move pieces around that suit their unique requirements. 

Will you take up this challenge with your child? What are some other things you do to inculcate kindness in your child? Do let us know in the comments below and also, please share your experience with this challenge.