Kindness in Schools: Part 2

In the last blog post I shared some of the troubling trends in mental health for young people as well as some of the research in kindness showing that a strategy we often take for granted can be impactful and may be one of our lifelines during these challenging times. It’s important to not only identify what can be done but what is already being done to help support students. How can schools begin to integrate kindness into schools now? Do we need to start new initiatives? One schoolwide framework that is near and dear to my heart is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). I’ve been associated with the national technical assistance center since 2013 and in that time I’ve seen many examples of how PBIS done right can make a positive impact for teachers, students, and families. I’ve recently joined forces with the Choose Kindness Foundation and one of their projects is helping PBIS schools integrate Kindness into their current systems.

Kindness in the Classroom is in Alignment with other Schoolwide Initiatives

If your school already has positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) schoolwide expectations like “be respectful” then “be kind” can add another layer of depth and meaning to those expectations that can carry over to any setting within the building. Your school may already have a focus on social-emotional competencies (Collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning, 2015) like relationship skills, self-awareness, and social awareness because they can also increase student’s well-being and academic achievement (Durlak et al., 2011). An underlying theme of SEL programs and PBIS is the promotion of prosocial behaviors which include kindness. Initially classrooms can focus on a kindness process that starts with making a list of others who might need some kindness and when and where these acts of kindness might occur (Binfet, 2015). For example, in PBIS when the schoolwide expectations are taught educators can also incorporate examples of kindness in the cafeteria, hallway, and playground. As you contemplate adding acts of kindness to your school’s culture consider that that not only will the students involved in the act of kindness benefit but that there is an act of kindness “ripple effect” when prosocial behaviors begin to occur (Fowler & Christakis, 2010).

You can learn more about the KindR Foundation and their efforts click below.

https://bekindr.org/detail/2024-2025-mtss-tier-1-kindr-schools-2000-grant

https://bekindr.org/detail/2024-25-pbis-tier-1-kindr-schools-grant

I also offer brief presentations via Zoom, summarizing the research and effective strategies on kindness in schools that can be included in a staff meeting or a conference. Email me erin@erinchaparro.com to ask about receiving consultation on this topic.