Random Acts of Kindness

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