Raising Kind Kids: Teaching Your kids (and the family) Kindness

August 10, 2022

Here’s why you should cultivate kindness in your children (and family members) through good deeds and acts of kindness.

A little girl is laying on the ground with her dog.

It goes by many names – kindness, compassion, empathy, generosity, helping others, and more – but love for others is certainly something that can make the world a better place. According to the Making Caring Common project, “We should work to cultivate children’s concern for others because it’s fundamentally the right thing to do, and also because when children can empathise with and take responsibility for others, they’re likely to be happier and more successful people.”

“Be nice to your sister,” “Always stand up for your friends” and, “Never tease anyone,” are common parenting refrains the world over. Yet, in a fast-paced, achievement-focused digital world, teaching real compassion to our children can feel like a serious challenge. Raising a generation of really “good people” is possible – it’s all about making kindness a habit.

Teaching kindness to your kids

The building blocks of kindness lie in emotional intelligence (called EQ), which is really all about understanding, managing, and using one’s emotions to communicate, overcome challenges, resolve conflict, and empathise with others. Rather than a personality trait, kindness is just a skill in the EQ skill set. Here are some ways to teach this skill to your children:

1. Talk about it

Because the foundation of kindness is EQ, being able to identify, talk about and work through their feelings is the first step in a child growing into a kind person. So, talk about what kindness means, how it makes people feel, why someone would need kindness and what this looks like. You could think of reading books about kindness together or, when reading any book, point to the characters and ask your child to tell you how they’re feeling.

2. Focus on kindness

When it comes to caring for others, children need to learn how to balance their own needs with those of others, as well be able to put these moments into practise.

Ask your child: “What was the nicest thing someone did for you today?” or “What nice thing do you think you can do for someone tomorrow?” Respect for others is also a big part of teaching kindness, and you could bring this in by teaching your child to always greet and treat other with respect even when they’re angry tired or upset.

3. Celebrate good deeds

Take care to notice the small acts of kindness your child shows – whether that be picking you a little flower on your trip to the park or sharing their half-eaten biscuit with you. Kindness starts by caring for someone other than yourself, so praise your child’s efforts and encourage more kindness. Tell them, “It’s so kind of you to share your favourite treat with Mom!” As they grow older, it becomes even more important to affirm their kind actions.

4. Be a model of kindness

As with most things in this job of parenting, you are your child’s best role model when teaching kindness. So, think about joining a school or community project, volunteering as a family and donating to local causes to help your child see what kindness looks like (and that it does require commitment).

With older children, you could also chat about empathy, kindness, etc. by working through moral dilemmas with them. For example, “What do you think I should do if one of my friends says something about one of my other friends?” You could also pause a movie or series and start a dialogue about something that has come up for a character in the story.

5. Make the circle bigger

Because kindness is about showing care and concern for others, it’s something that needs to extend beyond our core circle of friends and family. Yes, your child’s immediate circle is important but there’s a bigger picture to consider too.

Think about the children at school, the people in your community, our society. This isn’t to make them feel responsible for everyone, but to understand that we can practise and spread kindness everywhere. A good way to do this is to do good deeds and practice acts of kindness as a family.

Here are 10 acts of kindness to do as a family

1. Collect old (but in good condition) toys to donate to a local orphanage

2. Offer to babysit for friends so they can enjoy a date night out

3. Donate old books to a doctor or dentist’s office or to a rural library

4. Learn a joke to share with the teller at the till of your local shop

5. Offer to help an elderly or sick neighbour with household chores or around the garden

6. Take a meal to a family who needs it (they’ve had a new baby, or a bereavement, or have been ill)

7. Share some treats with your school’s staff, just to say thanks

8. Donate DVDs, books, puzzles to a care home for the elderly

9. Volunteer at local charities and causes

10. Smile – a random act of kindness goes a long way to warming the hearts of others.

Sources:

7 Tips for Raising Caring Kids

Raising kind kids: 9 daily habits to teach kids kindness

3 Simple Rules To Raise Kind Kids

52 Acts of Kindness for Families with Young Children

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The Joy of Numbers: Growing a Lifelong Love for Mathematics in South African Classrooms

By Camilla Pretorius • March 14, 2026

Each year on 14 March, schools across the globe celebrate Pi Day, a playful tribute to the mathematical constant π (3.14). Numbers may seem abstract at first glance, yet behind every formula lies a story of discovery, logic and imagination. Mathematical thinking shapes the way young people analyse the world, solve problems and innovate in fields ranging from medicine to technology. Passion for mathematics rarely appears overnight. Curiosity often provides the starting point. According to Camilla Pretorius, Principal of Trinityhouse Centurion , mathematical confidence develops when students realise that the subject is not about memorising formulas but about exploring patterns and ideas. “Mathematics is fundamentally about curiosity,” Pretorius explains. “Students begin to thrive when they understand that problem-solving is a journey rather than a test of instant ability.” Early childhood plays a critical role in shaping attitudes towards numbers. Young students naturally explore patterns, shapes and quantities through play long before formal lessons begin. Counting steps on a staircase, sorting colourful objects or building towers all introduce foundational mathematical concepts. Teachers who encourage exploration help students associate mathematics with discovery rather than anxiety. Games, puzzles and open-ended questions transform classrooms into spaces where curiosity flourishes. Confidence grows when mistakes become part of learning. “Students sometimes arrive believing they are ‘not maths people’,” Pretorius says. “Changing that mindset requires patience and encouragement. Progress becomes visible once students understand that effort and persistence build mathematical ability.” Academic performance improves when students believe they can succeed. Mathematical confidence determines whether a student will attempt a challenging problem or avoid it entirely. Supportive classroom environments allow students to ask questions, test ideas and learn through trial and error. Teachers play a central role in shaping that environment. Encouraging discussion, celebrating creative thinking and analysing mistakes openly helps students develop resilience.

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International Mother Language Day: Raising Globally Confident Students Proud of their Roots

February 21, 2026

Celebrating multilingual education at Trinityhouse, where identity, inclusion and global readiness grow together. Experts: Samantha Nkosi, Raesetja Ntuli and Maché Piek (Trinityhouse Centurion Teachers) International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on 21 February, offers schools across South Africa an opportunity to reflect on language inclusion, cultural diversity and identity. At Trinityhouse Schools, language education is not only about academic achievement. It is about building culturally confident, globally aware students who are proud of their roots. In the early years, language shape’s identity. When young children hear Sepedi, isiZulu, Afrikaans or their home language spoken in the classroom, they feel recognised and valued. Introducing home languages in Pre-Primary affirms cultural heritage at a critical stage of development. Children who encounter familiar words, songs and greetings settle more quickly into school life. Multilingual exposure through music, storytelling, indigenous games and augmented reality books strengthens vocabulary and builds early literacy foundations. Students explore the meaning of their names and surnames, deepening pride in their identity. When a child’s mother tongue is acknowledged, confidence grows. Participation increases. Classrooms become spaces where diversity is celebrated naturally. Early language inclusion supports emotional wellbeing and strengthens school readiness, creating confident students from the very beginning. As students’ progress through Preparatory School, continued development of home language skills alongside English strengthens academic performance. Research and classroom experience consistently show that students who maintain strong home language proficiency demonstrate improved comprehension, stronger reading skills and greater conceptual understanding. Teaching strategies such as repetition, guided group reading and small discussion circles allow multilingual students to participate without pressure. Students often explain concepts in Sepedi before bridging into English, reinforcing understanding and building academic confidence. Parents play a pivotal role in this journey. Daily reading in both English and home languages, storytelling and regular conversation strengthen vocabulary and cognitive development. A strong foundation in a home language enhances English acquisition rather than hindering it. Multilingual students develop cognitive flexibility, empathy and adaptability, essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Aligned with South Africa’s 11 official languages and a strong commitment to diversity in education, Trinityhouse continues to broaden its African language offerings. At Trinityhouse Centurion, Sepedi was introduced at Pre-Primary and Preparatory in 2019 and will be extended to Grade 8 in 2027. Offering Sepedi as a First Additional Language affirms students’ linguistic heritage within an academic setting. When students see their home language valued at high school level, it strengthens identity, belonging and pride. At the same time, multilingual students develop cultural awareness and global readiness. The Sepedi department will prepare students for the IEB National Senior Certificate examinations in their matric year. A structured academic pathway, rigorous assessment standards and active collaboration within the IEB Sepedi cluster across Pretoria and Gauteng will ensure consistency and academic excellence. Close cooperation between the Preparatory and High School departments will further support a smooth and well-coordinated implementation in 2027. Adolescence is a critical period of identity formation. Language inclusion directly influences student confidence, wellbeing and belonging. Being able to connect socially through a shared language reduces isolation and fosters community. Through Respect, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, Public Speaking, assembly celebrations and events such as Heritage Day Fire Feast, Trinityhouse creates spaces where students celebrate linguistic pride through praise poetry, storytelling and song. These moments strengthen engagement, participation and cultural appreciation. International Mother Language Day reminds us that language is more than communication. It is memory, belonging and identity. At Trinityhouse, raising globally competitive students who are proud of their heritage means ensuring that cultural identity and academic excellence walk hand in hand.