Friendship, Kindness, and Empathy in Lower Elementary

Our School Counselor, Ms. Christina was so excited to be invited to Lower Elementary to teach a lesson on friendship, kindness, and empathy. Students engaged in two activities and listened to two stories to teach and promote kindness, friendship, and empathy.

The lesson began with a class discussion on what it means to be a good friend, be kind and be empathetic. The students were eager to share their insights and were open to learning from Ms. Christina and one another.

Ms. Christina read two books:

Words Are Not for Hurting by Elizabeth Verdick
This book centers around how important our words are and how some words can be helpful, and others can be hurtful. The book discusses how hurtful words make us feel, how to take accountability when we say hurtful words and what we can do if we hear hurtful words.

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
This book discusses what it means to be kind, how small acts of kindness can turn into something big, the ease and challenges of being kind and how to be empathetic towards others, including recognizing when someone is having a hard day and making space for them.

After reading the books and participating in a discussion, Ms. Christina and the students engaged in two activities:

The Wrinkled Heart

— Students were given a paper heart (representing their actual heart)
— They gave their heart to a classmate who crumpled up and stomped on the heart after saying something hurtful to it.
— They were then told to apologize to the paper heart, try to smooth out the heart and give it back to the classmate they received the heart from.
— When the students got their heart back, they reflected on how their heart looks and how it has changed.
— They discussed the importance of being careful with our words and with other people’s hearts, to take accountability when we say unkind things and recognizing that once we say something unkind to someone it has a lasting impact that cannot be taken back (the heart is wrinkled and cannot go back to how it once was).

Walk in My Sneakers

— Students received a handout that prompts students to reflect on how they can show empathy.
— They discussed three scenarios, including if a friend is late for school, loses their folder or hears someone saying unkind things to them.
— They reflected on how to be empathetic in these scenarios and what they can do to make space for others.

Ms. Christina had such a great time with the students and is looking forward to more opportunities to promote SEL in Lower Elementary!