http://www.actsofkindness.org/i
nspiration/stories/index.asp
I
have been thinking about this. I try to teach my children about this. I thought we might all start an area here where we could all try to do random acts of kindness, and then post it here. The site above explains more about the concept, and has many stories. It would be fun to teach your little ones about random acts of kindness. They can do kind things for you, or for siblings. Involve your husbands; they often need a boost with such things. A husband making a bed is a random act of kindness. LOL. Tell him so. You could start a chart for your children to write their kindnesses on. But I would give no rewards for this chart, as you see, they must learn the feeling you receive from your kindness to others is your reward. But mom and dad, could praise, and show the pride they take in the efforts of their wonderful actions. You can document the whole family, even dad. Then everyone gets together every couple of days to read what they have accomplished. Make it a contest if you like to see who gets the most. ↓
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| Name: momof3 | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 4:03 PM |
| I think that is a wonderful idea!!! My brother and I where taught to help people. If someone comes up to us and asks for money for food, we will go buy them gift cards to a fast food place, that way we know the money is going to feed them. I think it is a great idea. Let me know what to do. ↑ |
| Name: Farah | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 4:09 PM |
| this is such a cute idea, I'm definately going to do this with my little one when she's old enough to comprehend. I'm glad you wrote this here. People are so hostile and short tempered it seems, so this is truely a wonderful idea. ↑ |
| Name: lindalu | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 4:19 PM |
| I like it!!! When I was a kid I lived across the street from a nursing home. I would go ther every day...I loved helping the elderly. I would help with their meals and wheel them around the home. The feeling I got even at a young age was price less! Today I love to help people... just to see them happy. Helping out just simply doing a kind thing no matter who it is for is wonderfull! ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 4:28 PM |
This week my twenty year old son has been visiting a friend from high school. The friend lives with his sister and her family. My son and his friend spent the day baby sitting for the sister so she could run errands. They were playing with the children when my son noticed something did not seem quite right with the 3 year old. Almost no speech. He asked his friend about it. There are some problems, the family is trying to get help, but often this is a long process. Plus my son thinks this kid is so cute. Soooooooo, LOL. My son offered my services for free. He came in very animated, Mom! You have to see this kid right now! So, I spoke to mom on the phone, and will be seeing him two to three times a week. As you know we may move, so I have to get much accomplished. This was my sons random act of kindness. I am so proud of who he is.
Also my daughter hates to touch icky things, but she was in the street playing badminton, saw my husband’s car coming, and saved a small lizard who would have been hit by the car. She actually had to touch it. Proud of her!!! Good heart!
My husband is a dang saint, so I could go on and on. But I am discussing raising money for a swing set for my special student. Yesterday my husband offered to pay the whole expense, and all the labor. YEA!
Random, or not random, what can we do for others. What can we do for each other to make this world a better place? You can teach little ones, to help their sibling in some small way, tie shoes, clean up toys, and give hugs. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 6:00 PM |
| EXCELLENT-I'M TOTLALY IN....KINDA LIKE THE MOVIE PAY IT FORWARD. I LOVE THAT MOVIE. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 6:13 PM |
| oK RAIN iM ON THE WEB SITE AND i AM SO MUCH WANTING TO DO SOMETHING TO CONNECT MICHAELS CLASS. THEY ARE SO HATEFUL TO EACH OTHER AND THE ACTS OF KINDNESS SEEMS LIKE A GOOD START. BUT..... IT IS ALOT TO TAKE IN GIVE ME SOME POINTERS ON HOW I CAN HELP HIS CLASS. CONNECT BETTER. GET THEM IN THE HABBIT TO BE MORE KIND???? ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 6:15 PM |
| ALSO. THERE DEFENCES ARE SO UP THERE ITS A HARD CLASS TO REACH. ALSO THE AGE IS TUFF. ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 7:54 PM |
| Have you tried baseball bats! Just kiding. I am thinking about this, and will be right back with an answer. ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 8:29 PM |
LAYNE,
Speak with the teacher about your ideas. I would start by making it a competition between your son’s class and another class. This now makes the class a team working toward beating another team, this builds camaraderie. I would begin with compliments. Teach them to compliment each other, and anyone they encounter all that day. The compliments given to one another will begin to build happier children who now enjoy the company of their class mates. At that age, everything is YOUR GAY, and stupid! People forget to teach them to compliment each other. You teach them by acting it out. GOOD JOB! When someone doesn’t do something well, teach them to say, GOOD TRY! That’s OK, you did a good job. Please and thank you. To walk up to someone and say HEY, I like your shirt, I like the story you told this morning, I like the way you helped Jessie play ball today, and they must compliment the teacher and adults also. Better Attitudes now! Teach them to help others, Do you see Susan looking everywhere for a pencil, take her one of yours. If someone is ugly and mean to someone, tell them nicely, I did not like the way you were speaking to Dana, that was mean. Do you see so and so trying hard in math, can you help? Then you begin to spread out. Did anyone in this classroom see anyone do something kind today, what is it? Start to document the kindnesses. Have the other teacher from the rival room come into your son’s room, and say, how come your kids are so good! Yea, I bet that class never hears that about themselves. Then she can say, we are going to challenge your class to see who can do this the best. The teachers can really push the buttons, and say, we are going to beat you, and all that competitive talk, get the kids worked up. Also they can begin to count how many compliments they receive from others in the school. They should already be doing this, but if not, the teacher can send out an E-mail to everyone in the school saying, if you see anyone in my class, being kind, or quiet in the hall, or behaved well in PE, or good manners at lunch, please notify me immediately. Then she can read the E-mail, or repeat what others have said, about how great they are. POW! It goes on the chart. Now spread out, how can we show random acts of kindness to others in our school? For once, someone could take a cookie to the cooks in the cafeteria, leave flowers for someone, make it stealth, and fun. Have a kid sneak down to the PE teacher’s office with out being seen, and leave her a cold bottle of water with a note that says, we appreciate you. If someone says YOUR STUPID! You don’t loose points, but every time someone else in the class says, nicely, THAT IS NOT NICE[ PLEASE DON’T SPEAK TO JOHN THAT WAY[ they get points. Ask them if they see someone who is mean to another kid, to stop and reassure that child. To stop, and tell the child who is mean, that they are hurting someone’s feelings, and to please stop. To stop and tell the janitor that the halls are so clean. Thank you. Have them bring notes from home, if they have been kind to their family. More points. I can see the note now. Mrs. So and so, I do not know what is going on, but John was nice to his brother last night, and said I had to write you a note and tell you about it. You can send home flyers explaining this to all the parents. This is a start anyway. Hope this is helpful Layne. Then when it is done, I would ask the principal to acknowledge this class, and what they have done, I would make special certificates for them all. The best rewards are kindness of words, and acknowledgement of kind deeds. One class will get more points, but both should be acknowledged for the merit. ↑ |
| Name: myangel052405 | Date: Jul 30th, 2006 9:11 PM |
| I've always liked the idea of performing random acts of kindness, trying to pay compliments to others as often as possible, and I always say thank you when I have a meal at someone's home or they pay for dinner out. It's kind of hard to stay on that though, and really make a good habit out of it. I like the idea about making a chart and writing it down then talking about it later. I think that would make it easier to remember, and to give recognition for the things you are doing, although with the feeling you get from doing something for others recognition isn't really necessary. For kids it'll great for them to get the recognition though because it's an added feeling of pleasure know that they're not the only ones happy with what they've accomplished. I'll try to remember to do that when my little girl is old enough to understand. Right now I'm just trying to get her excited about becoming a big sister. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 3:18 AM |
Rain- those are wonderful ideas. but with teachers being over worked as it is.I find that they arent to hip on parents 2 cents. how can I present the idea with out them feeling like it is another chore to deal with in the day,
An example of the attitude problem with teachers is. last year kate was having problems making friends and her grades where so so. The teacher wanted me to take her to the doctor.
well skeet and I didnt want to because we already are dowmn this road with michael and know they will want to medicate her. She show some inatention. anyway we had many meettings with the techer and principle. I started helping in the classroom 2 days a week. with the kids that needed special help. there were three girls. then we worked our tail off at home.
well things improved. Ok here comes the tricky part. That teacher was pissed that i was in her classroom and helping. She did not make this easy on me at all. But I was hell bent on staying because Im not medicating a child that just needs a little attention. I would have rewards for the girls if they stay on task for me. like a special pencil. book marker so on. But rain i couldnt figure out why someone would be so rude. Teachers are always wanting parents to be involved and she didnt like it.
Now ourprinciple is greatt and is always on the same page as myself. Love this man. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 3:20 AM |
| excuse the terrible spelling and typing. I was in a huge hurry. ↑ |
| Name: E | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 3:56 AM |
I see it's more appropriate for older kids (who know what they are doing LOL) but thanks for the pointers. rain, when you come up with a topic, you light up another light in my head - check, I have to pay attention to this when my kids are bigger.
Though mine are too small yet to even realize actions and consequences, (except for the basic level), it's interesting to watch how their characters are already made up. My 18 mo old son is very kind. He takes a toy, his sister starts whining because she wants it, he looks at her and gives the toy to her. He drinks half of his bottle of milk and gives it to his sister because she is waiting in the wings to swipe it (though she is 3, she keeps remembering the bottle because she sees it everyday). He gives things to other children, too. I'm thinking: "I've never known a toddler who GIVES, not WANTS" I think it's very unusual and something to keep enforcing later.
My daughter is a more typical toddler, with a strong "me, me, me" core, but her kindness comes in waves - suddenly, she gives him a kiss or strokes his hair, saying "you are my best brother", or gives us some gestures of love. It's interesting that at this tender age one can see already little shoots of future character and future problem areas. ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 2:58 PM |
| WEll Layne, That makes me sooooooo mad. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 3:12 PM |
| I know she was a 2nd year teacher alot of it is she was 23 but i though hey little girl back off. After about 2 weeks of this. i said skeet and i want a meeting. She knew I was gonna call her up on it. things got much better. I dont care if they like me. i was there for kate and the other girls. Not a popularity contest. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 3:17 PM |
| I have a good repoor with the principle maybe this is something to speak to him about. I was thinking to encourage the radom acts. the child recieving the act of kindness and the child giving the act should both be rewarded for the same act that way it encourages the act. Or did you say that already? ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 3:27 PM |
| Layne, you are doing the right thing, and don’t allow anyone to discourage you. You will have new teachers this year, who may love your ideas. Also you could write it all up real nice and give it to the principal as a proposal. Most teachers love this type of thing; it is a great way to have a more cohesive classroom. You have to keep trying until, you find the right friends. I hate it that it has been so difficult for you there. And a thief is a thief is a liar, give them the boot! ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 3:33 PM |
| I would make sure their names are on the chart, so everyone can see who is doing the acts of kindness. Also if done properly, they will reward each other, tell each other good job. Then I would have a ceremony to acknowledge the work. Call the news paper, have them come and document the children all receiving awards. You can buy, or make certificate awards and have them framed. You can buy cheap frames and paint them to look expensive. You can buy gold seals. This would be a great reward. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 3:44 PM |
| The ceremony is a good idea. but when should that be. At the end of the year it is to long they'll loose momentom. maybe 2 a year. one mid term that why they see the process and have a chance to win next ceremony???? ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 3:52 PM |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 4:09 PM |
| Ok now the hard part- the follow through. sorry adhd runs in the family. ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 4:15 PM |
| lol, this one tooooooo, ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 4:24 PM |
| Layne, did you ever think that maybe you and your family were sent to this town for a reason. That you will make a difference in lives there. That you and the kids are there to create change. To cause lives to alter and prosper where they could not before. In all lives there are dark corners, some angels are just here to shine a light. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 4:34 PM |
| oh rain you have such away of making a positive. but your right. Even when I broke down the barrier in kates classroom. I started having moms (that never before) start talking to me, even looking at me as more of a leader on the field trip. Of corse my attitude was differant as well. The children knew me and looked at me as a more teacher role. I think the teachers this year are more seasoned teachers. wont be so territorial. at least I hope. i probibly should start going to the PTA meettings as well. ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 4:56 PM |
| See Layne, you have already begun. If I hate something I change it, everything can be made better. That is why we are here. Your friendships with the mothers will help you gage better friendships for the kids. Yes, I know this about you, you are a leader. Let me know about the PTA. They can be good, and they can be viper pits. I was the PTO president at my children’s elementary school, ran the vipers off. PTO, and PTA, are different, but if you need any ideas, you know where to go. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 8:14 PM |
Well thankyou....Im a leader??well maybe I should give myself more credit.
I dont know if I told you this but 2 years ago i had a unexplained hemorrhagic stroke. I was impared on the right side for 3 months. My mom had to come and take care of us for about 2 months.anyway I decided i wasnt going to stress about little crap anymore. like worry what others think. I mean I still care i just dont obsess about it anymore. so when something needs done I take action instead of complain. That is why I give more short responces to questions on here sometimes. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 8:21 PM |
| I just think people need to let things go instead of dwelling on it. I guess that thinking also comes from age. The forties have really made me learn to let it roll. ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 9:02 PM |
Layne,
I am so sorry. I definitely need to learn to loosen up. I am working on it. Yes, you are right, we need to relax a little and learn not to stress over the little things. I hope you are well now, you are a true trooper. Laugh as much as possible; it really is the best medicine for everything. ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 9:06 PM |
| ok, lol, I am cracking up, my daughter brought our dog in here wearing a pink bikini. My dog is a big fuzzy chow. AHHHHHHHHH My daughter is carrying around a meat ball, so the dog will follow her and model the suit. That is definitely my kid. Laugh all you can Layne. ↑ |
| Name: Layne | Date: Jul 31st, 2006 11:38 PM |
| well I wasnt talking about you rain I ment people in general. sorry didnt mean to come off that way. ↑ |
| Name: rain | Date: Aug 1st, 2006 1:13 AM |
| Layne, I didnt take that the wrong way sweety. I was meaning I do need to try and relax. I turned 40 in March, whether I liked it or not. Just thinking about you. ↑ |
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