At Art Smith School, we believe in fostering a culture of kindness year-round. However, February presents a special opportunity to highlight this important value, as it is celebrated as Kindness Month. This month, we encourage our students, staff, and families to embrace and practice kindness in all aspects of life.

Resources to Encourage Kindness

We can start fostering kindness at school and at home with simple tools such as books and activities that reinforce the values of empathy, friendship, and respect. Below are a few of our favorite resources that can inspire kindness in children of all ages:

Books about Kindness for Younger Kids

1. "The Kindness Book" by Todd Parr This colorful and approachable book teaches young readers that kindness is contagious and easy to practice. It’s perfect for younger students as it emphasizes simple acts of kindness that they can relate to.

2. "How Kind!" by Mary Murphy In this sweet picture book, animals demonstrate acts of kindness and how kindness can spread joy and love. It’s a great read to share with early learners and spark conversations about how small actions can make a big difference.

3. "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig This story is perfect for children who may feel left out or overlooked. It teaches empathy by showing how one act of kindness can change a child’s world, highlighting the importance of inclusion.

4. "Each Kindness" by Jacqueline Woodson This story emphasizes that even small, everyday acts of kindness can have a ripple effect. It’s a wonderful resource for older elementary students, teaching them the lasting impact of kindness.

Books about Kindness for Older Kids

1. "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio One of the most impactful books on kindness for older students, Wonder tells the story of Auggie Pullman, a boy with facial differences who experiences bullying and learns the true power of kindness, acceptance, and empathy. This is a perfect read for upper elementary and middle school students.

2. "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea This book is an excellent choice for middle school readers, as it follows the lives of seven students and their transformative experience with a new teacher. It explores themes of kindness, friendship, and how one person can make a difference in the lives of others.

3. "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper This powerful novel tells the story of Melody, a girl with cerebral palsy who struggles with being misunderstood. It highlights the importance of kindness and inclusion, encouraging empathy for those who may seem different.

4. "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate Though a bit shorter and suitable for both middle school and upper elementary students, this book about a gorilla living in captivity emphasizes the power of kindness and compassion, particularly when it comes to fighting for the rights of others.

Kindness Activities for Kids of All Ages

1. Kindness Challenge Challenge students to complete acts of kindness throughout the month of February. Each day, they can choose a different task from a list of suggestions such as “help a friend without being asked” or “share something you love with someone.” This activity works well for all ages and can be adapted with more complex tasks for older students.

2. Create a "Kindness Wall" or "Kindness Jar" For older students, the "Kindness Wall" can be an interactive board where students write down kind acts they’ve witnessed or participated in. For a "Kindness Jar," students can write anonymous positive comments or affirmations about their classmates. This is a great activity to build a supportive community and bring everyone together.

3. Social Media Kindness Campaign For middle school students who are starting to use social media, why not encourage them to create a digital kindness campaign? Students can use school-approved platforms (or even just create posters) encouraging positive messages and actions to spread kindness beyond school walls.

4. Classroom Debates on Kindness Engage older students in structured debates or discussions about what kindness looks like in different situations. You can discuss themes like digital kindness, standing up against bullying, or what it means to be an "upstander" rather than a bystander. This can help older students think critically about kindness in both real-life scenarios and digital spaces.

5. Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb 17-23, 2025) The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation designates February 17-23 as the official "Random Acts of Kindness Week." Get students involved by having them commit to performing at least one random act of kindness during this week. This could include writing a letter to a local organization, volunteering time for a good cause, or anonymously helping a classmate with a tough assignment.

Pink Shirt Day – February 26, 2025

One of the highlights of February is Pink Shirt Day on February 26, 2025. This day encourages students to wear pink shirts as a show of solidarity against bullying. The idea behind Pink Shirt Day started in 2007 when two high school students in Nova Scotia, Canada, took a stand against bullying by wearing pink shirts in support of a fellow student who had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school.

At Art Smith School, we’re proud to take part in this global movement and remind students of the importance of kindness, respect, and inclusion. On February 26th, we invite everyone to wear their pink shirts and spread a powerful message that bullying has no place in our school or community.

Let’s Make February a Month to Remember

As we move through February, let’s remember that kindness isn’t just something we celebrate one month a year—it’s a way of life. By participating in Kindness Month activities, reading stories that inspire empathy, and wearing pink to stand against bullying, we can help make the world a better place, one small act of kindness at a time.

At Art Smith, we’re excited to embrace these opportunities with our students and look forward to seeing all the wonderful acts of kindness that will fill our school throughout the month.