Create a Kindness Tree
Share the Love
This year to celebrate Valentine’s Day 💖 on the 14th February as well as lead into Random Acts of Kindness Day, on the 17th, we created a very special Kindness Tree. Now I found this beautiful idea on Pinterest over at Natural Beach Living and knew our children would really enjoy the experience.
Tips
-
- Prepare your children for the activity with discussions about friendship & kindness. Share real life stories.
- Read your children’s favourite books on the subject.
- Compliment your children when they are showing kindness, encourage them to also acknowledge caring behaviour.
MATERIALS NEEDED
- Branches – gather a large bunch with lots of smaller branches
- A sturdy vase
- Paper to stuff into the vase to hold the branches in place
- Jute string or fishing line
- Paper cut into love heart shapes
- Hole punch
- Pen & scissors
METHOD
HOW TO –
- Gather your branches in an appealing bunch, making sure there are plenty of branches facing outwards.
- Place in the vase & stuff the paper tightly into the vase to hold the branches in place.
- Cut several love hearts out of coloured paper & hole punch at the top.
- Ask your children to join you one at a time & open the conversation of kindness & ask if anyone has been kind to them recently?
- Give them time to consider the question, prompt them if needed to get them started.
- Write down their messages, name & date it if you want to.
- Thread string of line through the holes & double knot. Create a 4cm loop at the top of the string & tie a knot.
- Ask your child to add their special message to the kindness tree!
EXTENDING
How is our Kindness Tree incorporated into our room or family life?
- Continue adding to your tree. If you witness an act of kindness, ask the children if they would like to add it to a branch..
- Read each heart out semi-regularly or as needed to continue building kindness skills.
- Share comments from other family members & staff on your tree.
Now I’d love to know if you’ve ever created a kindness tree or maybe a kindness jar? Did it encourage your children to show greater kindness? Let me know over at hello@craftylittlefolk.com.
Jasmine xxx