A Preschool Curriculum Of Compassion Focused On Mindfulness?

The Mindfulness-Based Kindness Curriculum (MBKC) is a 12-week program designed to teach mindfulness and kindness to preschool children. The curriculum focuses on concepts such as attention, breath and body, caring, dependence on others, emotions, forgiveness, and gratitude. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Healthy Minds is releasing its free mindfulness-based “Kindness Curriculum”, which includes 24 lessons over 12 weeks. The study found that a mindfulness-based social and emotional learning intervention implemented by preschool teachers in France in a socio-economically disadvantaged area promotes children’s attention, emotion regulation, and pro-social behavior.

The Kindness Curriculum offers a stage-based, all-encompassing approach to teaching mindfulness. It introduces a new kind of ABCs: Attention, Breath, Caring, and works closely with experienced teachers to build 12 attributes associated with kindness. The curriculum was created for a research project examining the impact of mindfulness-based practices on preschool students’ well-being.

The MBKC curriculum is designed for children ages 4-6 years old and includes children’s books. The 12-week program consists of 24 lessons, each lasting 15-20 minutes, taught by the children’s regular classroom. Student training in the MBKC consists of two 20-30 minute lessons each week over a 12-week period, totaling approximately 10 hours of training. The Kindness Curriculum is a mindfulness-based program designed to cultivate kindness and well-being in young children.


📹 Kind Wishes Meditation | Mindfulness for Kids | The Kindness Curriculum


How do you teach kindness lessons?

Teaching kids kindness involves discussing its meaning and appearance, using play pretends, games, and stories, being an example of kindness, promoting selfless habits and experiences, helping them understand that kindness isn’t always easy, and focusing on how it feels to be kind. These six tips can help children develop empathy, generosity, and kindness as they grow.

Empathy can be experienced before children actively demonstrate kindness, and reflecting on these feelings can guide them to understand the concepts of empathy, generosity, and kindness. A book like Rubylicious can be a great resource for teaching kindness, as it features two favorite characters, Pinkalicious and Peterrific, who must decide what to do when granted a wish. The story helps children understand the importance of being selfless and kind, making it a great conversation starter and fun demonstration for kids of all ages.

How to integrate kindness in the lesson?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How to integrate kindness in the lesson?

Teaching kindness in the classroom involves modeling kindness with intentionality, celebrating Kindness Week, facilitating morning meetings, emphasizing friendship, creating a Friendship and Kindness Center, creating a challenge to spread kindness, and leveraging social stories with a problem to solve. This culture of kindness enhances connections between peers and teachers, cultivates empathy and understanding, and fosters deeper relationships. Trust develops as relationships form, allowing a culture of learning to blossom where all individuals feel valued.

While teachers have various demands to attend to, dedicating ample time to nurturing the classroom culture through teaching kindness is crucial for success in other areas. Neuroscientist and educator Dr. Judy Willis shared her tips for teaching kindness in the classroom, aiming to inspire others to do the same.

How to teach a child kindness?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How to teach a child kindness?

Parents can teach kindness to their children by being a good role model, teaching them to be helpers, being specific when expressing gratitude, considering safety, explaining that small acts have a big impact, clarifying that it’s not always easy, being kind to themselves, and volunteering when possible. Kindness is a trait that can be inherited from babies as young as 8-12 months, and acts of kindness impact the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that affect happiness and attachment to others.

For those kids who naturally struggle with kindness, it can be taught just like any other skill, and the earlier it’s taught, the better. One way to foster kindness in kids is by being a good role model, holding doors open for people, thanking servers, and using specific kind language. This will help them pick up on these acts and will emulate them.

How do you teach kids kindness?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How do you teach kids kindness?

Parents can teach kindness to their children by being a good role model, teaching them to be helpers, being specific when expressing gratitude, considering safety, explaining that small acts have a big impact, clarifying that it’s not always easy, being kind to themselves, and volunteering when possible. Kindness is a trait that can be inherited from babies as young as 8-12 months, and acts of kindness impact the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that affect happiness and attachment to others.

For those kids who naturally struggle with kindness, it can be taught just like any other skill, and the earlier it’s taught, the better. One way to foster kindness in kids is by being a good role model, holding doors open for people, thanking servers, and using specific kind language. This will help them pick up on these acts and will emulate them.

How do you define kindness for kids?

In order to be benevolent towards another individual, it is essential to ascertain whether they desire to engage in social interaction or aspire to a platonic relationship. In the event that they are seeking companionship, it is imperative to confront the aggressor and endeavour to assist them in any feasible manner.

Why is kindness important in early childhood education?

The act of kindness can significantly change the brain and provide physical and emotional benefits for a well-rounded individual. It is essential for children to learn kindness early on. Local Child and Youth Programs (CYP) offer curriculum focused on character development, specifically caring for others. Character Counts is a framework that teaches six ethical values, including caring and being kind. Learning these values can lead to numerous benefits for children, including increased self-esteem, emotional well-being, and overall character development.

What is the kindness program for kindergarten?

The Kindness Framework is a five-step cycle used in Kindness in the Classroom lessons to teach kindness skills. It involves Share, Inspire, Empower, Act, and Reflect. The’share’ step reinforces learning from previous lessons, while the ‘act’ part occurs in projects. The’share’ encourages students to share their experiences, reinforcing their learning and encouraging others to experience kindness. The lessons are designed to inspire students and teachers through various modalities, ensuring that they feel inspired and motivated to express kindness again.

How to teach kids about kindness?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How to teach kids about kindness?

Parents can teach kindness to their children by being a good role model, teaching them to be helpers, being specific when expressing gratitude, considering safety, explaining that small acts have a big impact, clarifying that it’s not always easy, being kind to themselves, and volunteering when possible. Kindness is a trait that can be inherited from babies as young as 8-12 months, and acts of kindness impact the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that affect happiness and attachment to others.

For those kids who naturally struggle with kindness, it can be taught just like any other skill, and the earlier it’s taught, the better. One way to foster kindness in kids is by being a good role model, holding doors open for people, thanking servers, and using specific kind language. This will help them pick up on these acts and will emulate them.

What is kindness lesson for kids?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What is kindness lesson for kids?

A simple way to practice kindness is to lead a kindness circle with your students. Encourage them to say kind things to each other, drawing names out of a hat or saying something kind to the person on their right until you complete the circle. Encourage them to think about the person they’re offering kindness to and what they noticed about the other student.

Use Calm Classroom’s school-based mindfulness activities to deepen empathy and create more kindness. Teaching students to practice mindfulness of their own feelings helps them become more conscious of others’ feelings and experiences. Calm Classroom offers easy implementation of impactful and sustainable mindfulness lessons, making it an effective way to teach kindness to kindergarteners.

How do you teach preschoolers kindness?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How do you teach preschoolers kindness?

To teach kindness to preschoolers, encourage them to help others, acknowledge kind and unkind behaviors, demonstrate kindness, use toothpaste words, read stories about kindness, use kindness greeting cards, create sidewalk art, and use compliment circles. Compassion is crucial for children’s emotional, mental, and social growth. Kindness is defined as benevolent and helpful actions directed towards another person, requiring empathy, generosity, and consideration.

Explaining kindness to preschoolers helps them understand it as doing nice things without expecting anything in return. Teaching kindness benefits children’s mental, physical, social, and emotional health, making the classroom more inclusive and promoting positive behaviors. This helps children avoid conflicts and feel accepted by their peers.

What is the kindness curriculum in early childhood?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What is the kindness curriculum in early childhood?

The Kindness Curriculum promotes mindfulness meditations in daily activities, allowing children and students to experience the present moment and integrate awareness into everyday life. These activities are suitable for all ages. Perspective taking involves looking beyond one’s own point of view to consider others’ perspectives. Acknowledging positive experiences and achievements is crucial for positive thinking. A ‘You Did It’ jar provides opportunities for children, parents, and teachers to recognize the accomplishments of young children.


📹 Affirmations Meditation | Mindfulness for Kids | The Kindness Curriculum

Try this kids affirmations meditation in your classroom or at home. Age suggestion is 5-12. Instagram: @thekindnesscurriculum.


A Preschool Curriculum Of Compassion Focused On Mindfulness
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Rae Fairbanks Mosher

I’m a mother, teacher, and writer who has found immense joy in the journey of motherhood. Through my blog, I share my experiences, lessons, and reflections on balancing life as a parent and a professional. My passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom as I write about the challenges and blessings of raising children. Join me as I explore the beautiful chaos of motherhood and share insights that inspire and uplift.

About me

Add comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pin It on Pinterest

We use cookies in order to give you the best possible experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies.
Accept
Privacy Policy