Soft and hard
On a walk, collect a few things from nature with your child: a leaf, a petal, a twig, a stone. At home, sort them into two groups — soft and hard. Then ask: 'Words can be soft or hard too. Which word is soft like a petal?'
Week 6 · Relationships
Kindness
One small act of kindness can brighten someone's day.
Open sampleWhy it matters
Kindness teaches a child to notice what others need and to treat them gently. In a home where people speak gently and help each other, everyone feels safe and loved. Small acts of kindness start at home and then reach school, the neighbours and the street.
Family talk
- When was someone kind to you, and how did it feel?
- Who at home or at school might need your kindness today?
- Why is it sometimes hard to be kind, and what helps you in those moments?
Tip for parents
Notice your child's kindness with sincere words rather than rewards: 'Thank you for helping your friend — that was kind.' Be gentle with your child too, especially when they make a mistake or are tired: your tone of voice is the best lesson in kindness.
Every day this week, each family member does one small kind act at home and one outside it, and in the evening you tell each other about them.
Activities of the week
2–6 years
The kind voice
Sing a familiar song first in a loud, rough voice, then in a soft, gentle one. Ask your child: 'Which one sounded nicer?' Then say a simple request two ways, such as 'Give me the cup!' and 'Could you pass me the cup, please?', and choose the gentle one together.
7–11 years
Secret kindness agent
Your child becomes a 'secret agent': for three days they secretly do something kind for each family member — make a bed, leave a warm note, clean someone's shoes. At the end, everyone guesses who it was.
Kindness map
Your child draws a simple map of the neighbourhood or the way to school and marks with stars the places where they could do something kind: greet an elderly neighbour, help a classmate, put litter in the bin. They colour in each star once the deed is done.
12–18 years
The kindness chain reaction
Work it out: if one person does something kind for two people, and each of them does the same for two more, how many people are in the chain after five steps? Then your teen thinks about what keeps such a chain going in real life and what breaks it.
A note of support
Your teen thinks of someone who is having a hard time: a classmate who is ill, a lonely relative or a friend who is feeling down. They write that person a short, warm message — no advice, just care — and send it if they wish.