Saturday 13 November 2021 is World Kindness Day, a day when many people across the world make a conscious effort to be kind to one another. Kindness has lots of positive benefits to our physical health and our mental health and wellbeing and Children’s Health Scotland is proud to be a charity that celebrates and supports kindness through our work.
Commenting on day Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland said: “Kindness is about choosing to do something that helps others or yourself, motivated by genuine warm feelings. This has real benefits for our wellbeing and happiness, but did you know that being kind to yourself has a similar effect? One way to be kind to yourself is through self-care, which is about what you can do to keep yourself feeling good and helps to look after your mental health. Remember, the smallest act of kindness can make a huge difference, whether it’s a kind word, a thank you or even just a super smile and today is the perfect opportunity for you to try to be kind.”
World Kindness Day was created in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement and there are now 28 nations who take part. The day itself is the perfect opportunity for everyone to take part in good deeds and kind acts and it doesn’t have to cost a penny. The use of ‘kindness cards’ is a common practice that people follow. These are little cards that you give to someone when you do something nice for them, with the message that it’s now their turn to ‘pass on’ the card by doing something nice for someone else.
For many children and young people, the very act of being kind can increase the production of endorphins which make us feel good and can help with pain. Kind acts can also reduce the amount of cortisol we produce which will make us less anxious. Kindness can calm you down and improve your mood if you are feeling low. Being clam helps to reduce stress which can also help to reduce high blood pressure levels. Being kind to others has been proven to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion and we have created a list of kindness ideas for children and young people, and some inspiring resources, to help you introduce some small acts of kindness into your everyday life.
Kindness ideas for younger children:
- Say thank you
- Smile at someone in the corridor at school
- Tidy your toys away without being asked
- Draw a picture for someone and give it to them
- Help set and clear away the table after meals
- Let your friend choose the game they want to play at play time
- Ask someone who looks like they are on their own to join in your games at play time
- Give someone a compliment, such as saying to a school friend “I like your school bag”, or telling your mum her hair is really nice
- Offer to play with a younger sibling before they ask
Kindness ideas for older children:
- Say thank you
- Be polite to teachers
- Push in your chair without being asked
- Offer to wash the dishes
- Offer to do chores and help out at home
- Hold the door open for someone
- Give someone a compliment
- Smile at someone in the corridor
- Try and include someone at lunch time who might be on their own
- Only say nice things on social media
- Tidy your room
- Make your bed
- Make a hot drink for the people that care for you
- Spend time with younger sibling before they ask
Kindness Videos:
- Colour your World with Kindness
- The Power of Kindness
- Be kind to everyone (A song about being kind)
- KINDNESS Is My SUPERPOWER
Kindness Resources:
- Kindness UK website
- DIY Museum of Kindness
- Power of kindness calendar
- Kindness, Compassion and Empathy Books for Children
At Children’s Health Scotland, we believe all children and young people across Scotland have the right to the best possible health. If you would like to learn more about the work that we do, please explore our website or email enquiries@childrenshealthscotland.org.
