Kindness is a social skill every kid needs to practice in order to get along well with family, friends, teachers and everyone in life. Kids can learn about kindness to the best of their abilities by watching those around them practicing.

First, there are personal benefits to being kind

1. When we are being kind we feel relaxed. It is a great stress buster. Just taking time out from a personal concern and turning our attention to someone else with a helpful attitude lets us come back to our own concern fresher, from the break, and possibly with more insight into a solution.

2. When we are being kind our positive attitude frees up the flow of energy in our bodies. Also, when we want to do something we seem to feel energized.

For example: Mom says "go make your bed" and you drag yourself into your bedroom.

But if mom says "go make your bed and then we're going out for pizza" it is like suddenly you have all the energy in the world, and go rush to make the bed, so you can be quickly ready to go for the pizza.

That example shows that we feel more energized when we want to do something. And by holding the attitude that we want to act with kindness, that energy rises right up to the forefront like in the pizza example.

A byproduct of practicing kindness is that it is contagious. Others see we are happy and they in turn act with kindness. And the kindness of a smile uses fewer muscles and energy than a frown!

Also, self esteem grows because kindness with others allows us to look more kindly at ourselves, too - stronger in self confidence.

"Kind in mind and feeling fine!"

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Article by Susan Kramer