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These Kids Show Us That Simple Acts Of Kindness Can Transform the World
By Lily Morgan
Updated: Jan. 24, 2023
Originally Published: Jan. 24, 2023
Image via Facebook
The Great Kindness Challenge encourages small acts of kindness.
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that the world could really use a bit more kindness—right now! Thankfully, the Great Kindness Challenge—a weeklong campaign taking place from January 23-27—has arrived to inspire our children (and us) to embrace small, meaningful acts of kindness.
This grassroots initiative was started by Sarah Thompson, a resident of Carlsbad, California. It began in her backyard, where she and her children teamed up with neighborhood friends to create “Kids for Peace,” an international non-profit organization that launched the Great Kindness Challenge. This initiative encourages schools and youth groups to motivate kids to perform as many kind deeds as they can during the school week.
“Schools were seeking ways to foster a culture that was uplifting, respectful, inclusive, and kind,” Thompson shared in an interview. “The Great Kindness Challenge emerged from that desire.”
The challenge is straightforward and designed to enhance any character-building programs schools may already have. Students are given a checklist of 50 simple acts of kindness they can carry out throughout the week, while schools receive a comprehensive toolkit to support the challenge. Many of the suggestions on the list are things kids might already be inclined to do, like inviting someone new to join them at lunch or giving a flower to office staff. One of my personal favorites? Performing a happy dance to brighten someone’s day!
“Our mission is to make kindness a habit and cultivate school environments where every student can flourish, spreading that positive spirit into their communities and the world,” Thompson explained.
Though primarily targeted at schools and youth organizations, the Great Kindness Challenge can also be adapted for adults. In fact, it might be us who need it the most nowadays! Fortunately, Thompson mentioned that a family edition is in the works.
While the challenge officially runs from January 23-27, it’s not too late for schools to participate. The toolkit and resources are available year-round, because kindness is always needed, and the week-long challenge can serve as a great starting point for families wishing to prioritize kindness.
Starting with just three local schools in 2012, the initiative expanded to 263 schools the following year. Now, over 13,000 schools and more than 10 million students across the nation are joining in. “Schools are encouraging other schools to partake in the Great Kindness Challenge after witnessing the positive impacts on their own cultures,” Thompson added.
Unsurprisingly, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Doing good truly makes you feel good! “Everyone seems to be a bit happier,” Thompson remarked. “There’s a powerful connection in giving and receiving.”
All materials for the challenge are free, and with over 25,000 volunteers—including Kindness Ambassadors—helping to implement it in schools, the impact is significant. Kids aren’t required to stick strictly to the checklist; they’re encouraged to brainstorm their own acts of kindness. Additionally, the organization coordinates global service projects, such as building schools in other countries. Last year, they constructed a school in Kenya, and this year, students can contribute to the Kind Coins Campaign to help build a school in Pakistan.
“As children are empowered to express their kindness,” Thompson noted, “it creates a joy that’s tangible on campuses.”
Joy sparked by kindness? Sounds like just what the world needs right now. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to entertain my kids with a happy dance—check that one off the list!
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Summary:
The Great Kindness Challenge, established by Sarah Thompson, is a weeklong initiative aimed at promoting small acts of kindness among children and schools. With a checklist of 50 kind acts, students are encouraged to foster a culture of respect and positivity within their environments. The challenge has seen immense growth, now involving over 13,000 schools and 10 million students nationwide, proving that kindness can indeed change the world.