Kindness is king, and as primary school teachers we strive to teach and encourage the students in our classroom to be the kindest versions of themselves. How can you promote kindness during Christmas? Let us show you!
Throughout the year, we often dedicate lessons, morning meetings, class discussions and special days to teaching our students all about the art of kindness. Why not extend this to Christmas time?
Christmas is a time of giving. Kindness is a wonderful way to give to others without costing a dime. We have put together 7 helpful and simple ideas outlining how you can promote Christmas kindness in the classroom (plus some freebies, so keep on reading!)
1. Daily Reminders
Setup daily reminders about Kindness in your classroom. You could pin a note that describes a way to be kind to others on your class Christmas tree, display a ‘kind message of the day’ on your board or have individual reminders at student’s desks, like these Christmas themed Kindness Desk tags. Keep kindness in the forefront of your student’s minds with daily reminders.
2. Christmas Compliment Wreaths
Christmas time is about the gift of giving, but it doesn’t always need to be physical gifts. Giving and receiving compliments can really make someone feel good. Teach your students the art of giving compliments with this simple lesson and beautiful bulletin board display. It is also a lovely item for students to take home and share with their families.
Find the compliment wreath activity here.
3. Kind Kris Kringle
Traditionally, Kris Kringle is a small gift exchange where each student chooses a name from a hat and then provides little treats or gifts for their chosen person. Instead, of treating their Kris Kringle in traditional ways, students need to focus on random acts of kindness for their Kris Kringle. As your Kindness Kris Kringle continues, students will be more likely to start noticing each other’s acts of kindness more. We have put together this freebie where students can record the acts of kindness they are seeing or experiencing.
4. Dedicate a Lesson
In the lead up to Christmas, dedicate one lesson to kindness. Discuss as a class how random acts of kindness impact others. Focus student’s attention back to the real Spirit of Christmas, away from consumerism and receiving gifts. This is a lesson we created that can help support your class discussions or use as a mini project for students to complete. It would also be a fantastic introduction to our Kindness Kris Kringle.
5. Make Kindness Baubles
You could create these as a gift for your students OR have them all contribute to each other’s baubles. All you need for this project is some clear craft decorations, letter stickers, and some ribbon. Fill the baubles with kind words, compliments, and your student’s talents. These are such a beautiful keepsake for your students that they can hang on their tree and treasure year after year!
6. Kindness Advent Calendar
Why not try a Kindness advent calendar with your students this year? You could use a pre-made calendar, ask your students to create their own or turn it into a class display (like the one in the picture below).
Each day, students check the calendar and focus on completing a particular act of kindness.
Our Kindness Advent calendar includes a class display, print-and-go Kindness Advent calendar as well as an editable template.
7. Kindness Campaign Flyers
These are some of our most popular creations, so we had to make a Christmas version. Pin them up around your school and watch the kindness spread! Grab your FREE copy here.
Christmas is the perfect time to explore and reflect upon how our students can contribute to the world by being kind. And best of all, during the most expensive time of year, kindness is FREE!
Find all the resources mentioned in this blog post and more in our Kindness at Christmas Bundle.
Before you go, are you a new teacher?
Come and join our private Facebook group, especially for New Aussie Teachers. It is a place where we share tips, tricks, resources, and real-life solutions to all those teacher problems that come our way! Join us here.
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