This month Lincoln School is focusing on the hard character traits- Kindness and Mindfulness. Kindness is a behavior marked by ethical characteristics, a pleasant disposition, and concern for others. It is known as a virtue, and recognized as a value in many cultures. We will be teaching students to do something/say something kind for no reason. Teachers will identify acts of kindness in books and in situations. Parents can help us by modeling kindness: by holding a door for someone, greeting someone with a smile or writing a note in your child’s lunchbox. We will be emphasizing kindness by participating in The Great Kindness Challenge. Kindness matters. “Have courage and be kind. Where there is kindness there is goodness, and where there is goodness there is magic.” -Disney’s Cinderella
Mindfulness is being in the present moment. We are teaching students to be mindful and present in their interactions in class by being active listeners. Students should also be mindful of directions, completing assignments to the best of their ability, and checking over work. Parents can assist us by having discussions about personality traits, likes, dislikes or any topic that has children get to know themselves better. Parents can share how they deal with being overwhelmed and how they calm down. Some teachers have taught students to use breathing techniques to control emotions and parents can do this breathing together with them. Some find taking ‘waking walks’ to ‘quiet the mind’ as well. We hope our students will be mindful of their internal and external actions and thoughts and learn to have control over these.
“Mindfulness isn’t difficult, we just need to remember to do it.” -Sharon Salzberg