E is for Empathy and K is for Kindness

“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”~Dr. Seuss

Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of another person, to sense other’s emotions, and to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling.  It’s putting yourself “in their shoes” and asking how would you feel if you were in the same situation? Humans are born with the capacity for empathy, but it needs to be nurtured and requires practice and guidance.

Before an individual can empathize with others, they need to have emotional awareness. A person needs to be able to process their own feelings. As parents, finding the teachable moments and using emotional language to help a child describe when he/she is frustrated, afraid, or upset will help them to process and communicate their feelings. When a parent helps their child cultivate emotional awareness, the child will be better able to understand other’s perspectives and circumstances which leads to positive social interactions. Displaying empathy will become a natural reflex.

Parents can help children learn to “tune in” to another’s feelings through books (like mine), conversations of movies/ TV shows, role playing using emotional awareness language with dolls/action figures, and volunteering in their community. In my book, A-Z for Me! I ask, “Have you ever felt sad when your friend was sad? Have you ever felt happy when they were happy?   Connections to people are made through treating them with kindness, respect, and showing empathy.  By listening to someone, you are offering reassurance, comfort and a chance to share their feelings.”

Volunteering is a one of the best ways to promote empathy. Help your child to understand that a life of giving is better than a life of getting. This increases awareness of kindness and meaning of good works through actions. Make volunteering a family outing, reach out into your community!

I write in A-Z for Me! “Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate to others. Eating lunch with a new student, giving a compliment, raking leaves for your neighbor, or donating toys are ways you can show kindness.  Being kind connects you to people and makes everyone feel good. Share your beautiful smile and remember that kindness begins with you!  How do YOU show kindness to others?”

This year, to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 15-21, 2021, here is a list of 100 Acts of Kindness.  For teachers and parents, here is a link for more activities https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/rak-week

100 Acts of Kindness for Kids

1.     Open the door for someone.

2.     Smile-it’s contagious.

3.     Tell a nice joke.

4.     Donate a toy to Toys for Tots.

5.     Volunteer at a soup kitchen.

6.     Offer to walk your elderly neighbor’s dog.

7.     Rake a yard for fun.

8.     Pick up trash in the park or neighborhood.

9.     Invite a friend to the movies.

10. Mail a handwritten letter.

11. Send a small package to surprise someone.

12. Bring flowers to a friend or neighbor.

13. Volunteer at an animal shelter.

14. Host a movie night.

15. Plant something.

16. Thank the cashier for bagging your groceries.

17. Practice patience when waiting.

18. Help a lost dog or cat.

19. Give up your seat for someone else.

20. Leave a basket of goodies on a porch.

21. Set the table for dinner.

22. Pay for the person behind you at the Drive thru.

23. Compliment a friend.

24. Give encouragement to someone.

25. Feed the birds.

26. Knit a scarf and donate it.

27. Donate food cards to a local shelter.

28. Throw your trash away.

29. Wash someone’s car.

30. Offer to help at home and school whenever you can.

31. Be generous with compliments.

32. Bring flowers to your teacher/neighbor/parent.

33. Donate dog or cat food/supplies to a local animal shelter

34. Fill an Operation Christmas Child box.

35. Read a book to someone.

36. Donate warm gloves, mittens and scarves to a shelter.

37. Collect food for the food bank.

38. Donate diapers, wipes and formula to a women’s shelter.

39. Donate old craft supplies to a children’s museum.

40. Donate old books to your local library.

41. Text or call someone just to say hello.

42. Give an unexpected gift.

43. Be patient waiting in line.

44. Use kind words.

45. Donate new or gently used toys.

46. Donate coloring pads and crayons to the Children’s Hospital.

47. Make someone laugh.

48. Use good manners.

49. Let someone go in front of you while waiting in line.

50. Return shopping cart.

51. Shovel snow for your neighbor.

52. Bake cookies and hand them out.

53. Donate $1 to every tip jar you see in 1 day.

54. Tell your postal delivery worker how much you appreciate them.

55. Give away clothing no longer needed.

56. Shop at a book sale and donate books to a shelter.

57. Deliver cookies/brownies to your local fire house.

58. Participate in a charity run or walk.

59. Volunteer at an animal shelter.

60. Participate in the Christmas Angel program.

61. Recycle.

62. Tutor a student.

63. Bring in trash cans and recycle bins.

64. Tip your waiter generously.

65. Keep bottled water in your car and hand it out on a hot day.

66. Buy a good book and then pass it on.

67. Donate to a cause you believe in.

68. Make cards and mail them to the senior center.

69. Write a thank you note.

70. Say *please* and *thank you*.

71. Compliment when you receive good service.

72. Leave a sticky note for your family members to find telling them how much you love them.

73. Plant a tree.

74. Hold the elevator.

75. Forgive mistakes.

76. Write letters to soldiers

77. Thank a teacher.

78. Use a reusable water bottle.

79. Leave a dollar taped to a vending machine.

80. Respect others.

81. Donate new stuffed animals to your local Children’s Hospital.

82. Hug someone who needs a hug.

83. Spread encouragement.

84. Draw Thank You cards and drop them at the local police station.

85. Make a meal for a new family in your neighborhood.

86. Remind someone that they matter every day.

87. Clean your room without being asked.

88. Bring cookies to the custodian.

89. Make a homemade gift for someone.

90. Reuse paper when you are drawing.

91. Ask for donations instead of birthday gifts.

92. Give a candy bar or gift card to the bus driver.

93. Make a get-well card for someone.

94. Donate new pajamas/new bedding to foster kids.

95. Say “thank you” when you see service members.

96. Invite someone to play on the playground.

97. Turn off water while brushing your teeth.

98. Write chalk messages on the sidewalk.

99. Leave happy notes or happy rocks around town.

100.  Donate profits from a lemonade stand.