Kindness is a word somewhere lost in this ever-changing world. The present-day children do not understand the need to display the same unless they are asked to do so. Thus, it is a binding obligation on the part of the parents and teachers to instil this rare but precious quality in students.  

A child learns through observation, therefore both parents and teachers should mind their way of life thereby giving them reasons to emulate us. A classroom set up throws a lot of challenges at the teacher who needs to ensure that kindness is bestowed upon all, by all.  This is where the Value Education and Scripture classes come to our rescue. Again, the Aesop fables/the Bible stories will do no good unless they are related to the present context. It depends on the teacher how carefully she picks the right teaching methodology or aid which can create an impact on the minds of the students and help mould their thinking process. A few teaching methodologies could be Group Discussion, Case studies, simulation activities, role plays etc., and aids could be videos of short films, animated stories, Ted Talks, motivational speeches, autobiographies etc. and for all of  this to work, the teacher should be an epitome of kindness. 

Kindness is contagious; thus, one act of kindness will surely lead to another and to ensure that the link is not broken the teacher needs to reinforce the same at frequent intervals. 

I have taken a few basic steps to ensure that this value sustains in the long run in a classroom or rather a school set up, you can try it too.

• • Smile at every child whether he/she wishes you or not, this creates a positive vibe and strengthens our relationship. Positivity fosters kindness. 
  • However, be the turmoil within my mind and heart I stay calm in front of my students and promote peace and we all know peaceful people are icons of kindness. 
  • Students seek attention, so just listen to them, also share few of your experiences and let them be a listener, lending an empathetic ear to students and sharing ideas will cultivate listening skills in them too, in the process they would turn emphatic to others and be kinder to people they come across. 
  • Compliment every act of kindness, recognise that act (cite it where necessary), set an example through that act, record every act. By doing this on a regular basis, other students will get encouraged to display similar traits.
  • Give them the freedom to be what they truly are by not judging them or imposing rules on them. Explain why something is not acceptable before showing the rule book.
  • Be one among them when it comes to doing up the display board, cleaning up the classroom, sharing lunch, sorting out their differences, etc close monitoring helps understand what needs to be worked upon to ingrain this trait in them.

• Finally, reason out every wrong act, discuss ways through which it could have been dealt with in a better manner. Let them learn to separate that act of unkindness from the person who displayed it. This would give them a broader perspective to not judge or tag the person. They would rather understand the circumstances that led to the display of such an act. 

N.S. LAKSHMI SENGUPTA
TEACHER AT
BOMBAY SCOTTISH SCHOOL, POWAI