Can children be taught kindness? That is the goal of a program being taught in a Pre-kindergarten classroom in Queens, New York and in other preschool programs around the US based on “the Kindness Curriculum, developed by the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in which preschoolers are introduced to a potpourri of sensory games, songs and stories that are designed to help them pay closer attention to their emotions,” ( New York Times).In the program children are taught to recognize their own emotions and become sensitive to the feelings of others, to show kindness toward others. Children who have received this training do become more altruistic but the lessons must be reinforced as children get older.
Seems like a worthwhile addition to school curriculum and the world.
This post is part of We Are The World Blogfest through which bloggers share stories that show love, humanity, and brotherhood but go beyond religion and politics. This month We Are The World is co-hosted by: Shilpa Garg, Simon Falk, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, Damyanti Biswas and Guilie Castillo. Click on the WATWB link if you want to read more about the rules and how to join in. Featured image, ‘Kindergarten is fun’ by woodleywonderworks on Wikimedia.org
Notes Tied On The Sagebrush 
Great post! Gives me hope.
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It sounds like a good thing doesn’t it. 🙂
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This sounds like a great idea, Deborah 🙂
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Yes it could be a good thing. 🙂
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what a great initiative Deborah! Hopefully it will continue to be re-inforced as they grow older. Wonder if adults can be taught kindness?
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I think this is a trend according to the NYT article and there are programs for older kids. I was thinking about adults too. We could use some kindness boot camp or retreats don’t you think? Thanks, Susan. 🙂
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A kindness boot camp for adults – what a great idea!
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For some people it might have to be mandatory. 😉
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What an excellent idea, Deborah!
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I think parents and teachers do have a responsibility to teach kids how to be kind and decent to other people and some adults may need a refresher course. 😉
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This is a great post to share for WATW. I would hope that this program echoes what the children learn at home, but sometimes, that isn’t as effective.
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It is worthwhile to make sure kids learn how to be kind and caring people. Good to include it at school. Telling kids this is what we value as a society. Thank you, Dan.
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This is a fantastic idea, Deborah!
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I think the world could use it for sure. Thanks, Tanya. 🙂
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Interesting idea. I like it. Kind kids rock.
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Totally. 🙂 Thanks, Ally.
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Great article! Everyone has kindness inside them, some just need a nudge to bring it to the surface!
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I think it, kindness, is one of the most important things to teach children.
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Gotta love that. So much of education is just memorize this and regurgitate that. It’s nice to see a school teaching people to be people.
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Good that they’re getting their priorities straight.
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Hi Curtis – couldn’t agree more – sounds an ideal addition to the curriculum … I sincerely hope more schools take it up … and then as you mention it is backed up – cheers Hilary
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I like this post a lot because of the idea of promoting/teaching kindness but I also like it because it’s from the UWisconsin which is my alma mater.
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Always liked Wisconsin. 😉
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Aw I loved this. I would love to implement this curriculum at our school. It think it’s so important to teach children about their emotions and how to handle them!
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It would be good to learn more about that and just learning about ourselves. 🙂
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Yes completely agree
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I really resonate with this.
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Hope it is helpful and good luck with your teaching. I have always thought children should be taught to be kind. 🙂
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This is a wonderful thing! It would be so worthwhile and meaningful to include this in the curriculum, and such a world-changer to translate the lessons into action.
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Hope this idea spreads. 🙂
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that is awesome! Todays education system can use a lot of that
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An important addition to the classroom for sure. 🙂
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