The Kindness Project

A few weeks ago, I read "The Kindness Quilt" by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace to my daughters. If you haven't heard of it, it's a beautiful picture book about being kind, with a portion of the proceeds going to "Read To Grow" a non-profit literacy organization which gives books to children.

After reading the book, we discussed ways in which we can kind to one another, and how the children in the story (they are actually bunny rabbit children) draw the ways they are kind. The children then add arts and craft materials to the drawings, giving them a “quilt-like” look. Once the drawings are hung on the school wall, they take on a domino effect, prompting other classes to make kindness drawings. It’s a sweet book, with a lovely message.

Later that evening, my oldest daughter asked, can we do this in my class? (Then, of course, my youngest then wanted to do it as well.)

I thought this was a great idea, and thus the “Kindness Project” was born. I contacted both of their teachers and asked if I could come in one afternoon to read the book to the class, and have a discussion afterwards about ways in which children can be kind. And although the last few weeks seem to be crazy busy at school, the teachers liked this idea, and welcomed me into their classrooms. ( I love my daughters’ teachers!)

The younger preschool children loved the book, especially the illustrations. I thought it might be a bit too young for the second graders, but was pleasantly surprised to see them following along with the story, and asking questions. The conversations which followed were very cute, and very funny. Ways to be kind to parents, siblings, friends and pets were discussed, as well as ways to be kind to the earth (and plants). I think one of my favorites, was one little boy who said, “You can help your mom by not making a mess in the kitchen, and if you do, find paper towels and clean it up yourself. Give your mom a break.”

Before I left each class, each student was given a piece of paper to take home and draw a picture of one way in which they are kind. Once the drawings were complete, I thought I would sew fabric on the back of them – but then regained my sanity (what was I thinking?!) –  and glued pretty scrap book paper onto the back of each of them. Each drawing was different, each showing a different act of kindness, each beautiful in their own way. I hung the drawings on the bulletin board in my daughter’s preschool classroom last week, and they look wonderful. Some of the children asked if we can do it again, next year!

I am collecting the second grade drawings this week, and hanging them up Friday. I’m looking forward to seeing the different acts of kindness depicted. My hope is that The Kindness Project is something my daughters and I will do together each year, in each of their classes.

My youngest told me this morning, “It’s good to be kind, mommy,” with a big smile. And sometimes, a smile is all it takes.