If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others develop emotional intelligence, this collection contains 17 validated EI tools for practitioners. Use them to help others understand and use their emotions to their advantage. A Take-Home Message This one’s another award winning title that is also a reminder for children to be kind and open hearted to everyone. The book follows the story of a young boy named CJ and his grandmother, and their journey on a bus, where every question CJ would ask would be met with an empathetic and kind answer from his grandmother.

It is designed to help readers experience greater empathy in areas such as listening, relationship building, intimacy, finding love, and trusting others. There are myriad tools for enhancing these essential qualities, including the books we’ve highlighted for adults wishing to become more empathetic, as well as resources for teachers and parents wanting to promote kindness and compassion in children. Think about your comments and replies. Try not to say nasty things, or pile on where somebody questions another person’s actionsMy friend Megan, from Coffee Cups and Crayons, also has an extensive list of resources for spreading kindness. This informative article describes what it means to practice random acts of kindness and the positive impact of such actions on emotional wellbeing. When it comes to promoting empathy and kindness, PositivePsychology.com is loaded with tons of helpful information and exercises. For example, the following resources seek to promote kindness, empathy, and healthy relationships: Can Random Acts of Kindness Increase Wellbeing?

Curry OS, Rowland LA, Van Lissa CJ, Zlotowitz S, McAlaney J, Whitehouse H. Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. J Exp Soc Psychol. 2018;76:320–9. Part of being kind is considering the feelings of others, so it is very important that your kindness is something which others will find helpful. Kindness is something that needs to benefit both parties. A list of discussion questions/conversation starters about the character strength- KINDNESS which you can also print. As it turns out, Superbuns already is a superhero, given her special power to be Super Kind. The pictures are colorful, fun, and easily relatable to young children.

4. There’s a link between kindness and well-being

The minimal text shows the richness that happens when you add more kids into your playful adventures at the park.“How to two” shows two kids on a teetertotter. “How to three” shows three kids playing jump rope. “How to four” shows four kids playing four-square. And so on and so forth all the way to ten. It’s inclusivity, it’s diverse, it’s wonderful. From picture books to board books to chapter books, from middle grade to pre-school kindness books can help kids learn like no other medium. The way they might describe a small acts of kindnessor the power of a little kindness or the poetry and love imbibed in a kindness quilt, books are magic and suggestive. They paint a picture of a world that is juts more lovely and this encourages kids. Set intentions for your actions tomorrow— to be kind and not give up; to be honest, and generous…The typographic artwork is impressive and eye-catching! Authored by a professor of psychology at Stanford University, this book provides a unique perspective on empathy – sharing both anecdotes and research findings.

Let’s be kind today…This book for babies and toddlers shares specific behaviors that exemplify kindness such as share our toys, help around the house, and spend time together. With this in mind, try to help others once a day for a week and see if it makes a difference in how we feel. Read each story and use it to ask questions about the character and the character’s motivations. Why did the characters behave the way they did? What would we do in the situation? Plan a fundraising event in your local community or at work – you could try our Tea & Talk event, or a challenge event Choi NG, Kim J. The effect of time volunteering and charitable donations in later life on psychological well-being. Ageing Soc. 2011;31(4):590–610.The author and illustrator of this book is an Emmy Award-winning artist and successful producer of educational programs for children. Studies have found that acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of well-being. 1 Helping others can also improve our support networks and encourage us to be more active. 4 This, in turn, can improve our self-esteem. 5 There is some evidence to suggest that when we help others, it can promote changes in the brain that are linked with happiness. 2 It creates a sense of belonging and reduces isolation Morelli, S., Lieberman, M., & Zaki, J. (2015). The emerging study of positive empathy. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 9(2), 57–68. Mental Health Foundation - Our vision is of good mental health for all. The Mental Health Foundation works to prevent mental health problems. We will drive change towards a mentally healthy society for all, and support communities, families and individuals to lead mentally healthy lives with a particular focus on those at greatest risk. The Foundation is the home of Mental Health Awareness Week.