Teaching Kindness Through Stories and Play
Kindness is one of the most valuable lessons we can teach young children—and one of the easiest to nurture through everyday activities. Storytelling and simple games naturally encourage kids to think about others, practice empathy, and build compassionate habits. By weaving kindness into storytime and play, children learn not just to say kind words, but to live them.
Why Stories Help Build Empathy
Children often see the world through their own lens. Stories open windows into other people’s experiences, helping kids imagine how it feels to walk in someone else’s shoes. When we read books about sharing, helping, or comforting others, little ones start to connect those lessons to real life.
Example: Reading a story like The Day the Crayons Quit can spark conversations about how the crayons “feel” and what could make them happy again. Questions like “How do you think Blue felt when he was tired?” encourage children to notice emotions and think about solutions.
Other books to try:
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
Games That Teach Kindness
Play is one of the best ways for kids to practice what they learn. Here are a few simple activities that turn kindness into fun:
1. Kindness Bingo
Make a bingo board with squares like “Helped a friend,” “Shared a toy,” or “Said thank you.” When children complete an act of kindness, they mark a square. Celebrate with a cheer or small reward once the board is full. Check out our FREE kindness bingo!
2. Compliment Circle
Sit in a circle and pass around a stuffed animal. Whoever holds it shares something kind about the next person. This builds confidence, encourages positive words, and reminds children that kindness feels good to both give and receive.
3. Role-Play with Puppets
Using puppets or stuffed animals, act out simple situations like “one friend falls down” or “someone feels left out.” Ask your child how the puppet can show kindness. Kids love being the “helper,” and it gives them tools to use in real situations.
Everyday Opportunities for Kindness
Teaching kindness doesn’t need to be a formal lesson. Encourage your child to help carry groceries, draw a card for a neighbor, or comfort a sibling with a hug. When children see compassion modeled and practiced daily, it becomes second nature.
Tip: At the end of the day, try asking, “What’s one kind thing you did today?” or “What’s one kind thing someone did for you?” These small reflections help children recognize and value kindness in action.
Final Thoughts
Through the magic of stories and the joy of play, kindness becomes more than a word—it becomes a habit. With every book shared, every game played, and every kind act celebrated, children learn the importance of empathy and compassion. After all, the world could always use more kindness, and it starts with the little ones in our care.
