February is
recognized as the month for celebrating love. It is customary to give gifts of
affection and gratitude during this time. This can also be a challenging time
with children and teenagers struggling with social and emotional issues. Depression and anxiety can become barriers
when individuals experience feelings of loneliness and lack of acceptance by
others. During this month, I focused on
helping my students build healthier and more productive relationships with
family, friends, peers, and staff. I implemented
simply strategies and activities to help them become more confident and able to
enjoy more positive and engaging communication in the classroom, cafeteria,
hallways, and playground.
Daily, I communicate
my views for having empathy for others, and understanding how
others feel. This month was the RAOK project, and I
challenged students to perform random acts of kindness in the school and home
settings. The challenge was to last for one week. The students were giving the task of creating
a list of things they could do that would make someone they knew feel special.
Each person was responsible for keeping a log of the person and the good deed. Before the week had ended, students were
excited to share their experiences. Many of them made cards for their parents,
or did a chore without being told to do so, holding a door open for a teacher, helping
a friend with a project, and the list went on. They shared how experiences made
them feel as well as how it affected others.
I observed
more confident young individuals founding out that kindness was more than just
a word. It was a transformation! They were empowered with the opportunity to
make a difference in the life of someone else. I strive to inspire others
around me to make random acts of kindness a part of their daily activity. The
best example is YOU!
 |
| Non-sugary gift for students |
