How to Teach Kindness at Bedtime

During the rush of the day, we often focus on behavior modification ("Put your shoes on!", "Don't hit!"). Bedtime is our chance to focus on character building.

The "Kindness Recap"

Before you turn out the light, ask: "Who was kind to you today?" and "Who were you kind to?" identifying acts of kindness makes them more likely to repeat them.

Choosing the Right Stories

Use story time to model empathy. Stories like "The Sharing Tree" or "Rusty the Robot" let children experience the joy of helping others from a safe distance.

Ask "Perspective" Questions

Don't just read. Pause and ask, "Look at the rabbit's face. How do you think he feels right now?" This question builds the neural pathways for empathy.