5 reasons to teach kindness in the classroom

Kindness is the most important virtue for children to possess. Teaching kindness in the classroom not only improves the general mood, it can actually lead to happier, more productive and focused students.

People experience good feelings when they act in kind ways. There is scientific proof that being kind to others produces endorphins, a substance that activates parts of the human brain connected with pleasure.

• By fostering kindness in school, teachers are encouraging happiness in the children who practice what they are being taught.

Teaching kindness encourages the practice of generous and selfless actions. Being kind instantly increases a child's ability to build and develop relationships with fellow classmates.

• This not only sets children up for important and lasting friendships, but also increases peer acceptance and reduces the harmful effects produced by bullying.

By showing kindness towards their peers, particularly those in difficult circumstances, children gain awareness of their place in the world while becoming more appreciative.

It's not just endorphins that are produced in the body through being kind, an increase of serotonin levels also occurs in the body.

• Schools that foster kindness are likely to see greater levels of academic success and a boost in creative thinking.

Teaching kindness in the classroom encourages the practice of good deeds. These good deeds will often translate into personal feelings of pride and self-worth.

• By being generous and kind to their peers, children are rewarded with heightened self-esteem, feelings of optimism and an enormous sense of well being.

Kindness os a fundamental skill that can be passed down to children the way reading, writing and spelling is.

By practising kindness in the classroom not only will the students be healthy, but a teachers will have a healthy classroom atmosphere, too.