Ways to Model Kindness for your Child

Kindness and inclusivity are at the heart of every parent’s effort to teach their children love and acceptance. By teaching these core traits - coupled with empathy and compassion - while nurturing confidence and resilience, we create environments where children grow to become healthy members of our community, inside and out.  

Use the tips below for easy ways you can model kindness for your child and implement it into your everyday lives.  

Set an Example of Kindness 

Children learn by watching, and seeing their adults be kind helps them model that behavior. Be polite, patient and empathetic with others, and remind them that everyone matters - including themselves. 

Celebrate Diversity 

Regularly speak with them about differences in cultures, abilities and families. Show that diversity is interesting and valuable. Consider checking out books from your local library that address these themes and reading these stories regularly.  

Address Unkind Words and Behavior 

If your child says or does something to intentionally hurt someone, don’t wait to take action. Stop it right then and make the situation right. Teach them why it was wrong and what better options would be for the future. 

Create a Kindness Routine 

Each day, have your family share one kind thing they did or saw. Talking about these examples helps kids not only look for them naturally but also begin to want to do them themselves.  

Demonstrate by Doing 

Volunteer as a family with religious, community or charitable organizations or even choose one day a month to beautify your town and pick up litter. These examples shows how impactful helping your community can be.  

Remember that you are one of your child’s first and most trusted teachers. Kindness is one of the most impactful lessons you can teach and will last well beyond childhood. Consider implementing these tips to model kindness for your children - because every step makes a difference!  

About Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures.  

Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures. is a partnership of Valley Children's and Fresno State focusing on the health and well-being of kids in the Central Valley to help secure the future of the community for generations to come. It is a community health initiative emphasizing the importance of a child's entire physical and mental well-being in playing a vital role in keeping kids healthy. To learn more, visit https://www.valleychildrens.org/about-us/partnerships-and-programs/fresno-state-partnership/healthy-kids-healthy-futures 

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Carmela Sosa, MD

Director, Guilds Center for Community Health

Born and raised in Fresno, California, Dr. Carmela Sosa joined Valley Children’s Specialty Medical Group at the Charlie Mitchell Children’s Center in April 2012 to provide complex primary care to children of the Valley. Her roles expanded in 2016 to include Associate Program Director of the Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, and again in 2019 to Medical Director of Valley Children’s Primary Care. Today, Dr. Sosa is the director for Valley Children’s Guilds Center for Community Health where she works with community partners to improve the health of kids outside of the hospital walls. With her knowledge and expertise, she works to combat the social drivers that impact the overall well-being of kids throughout the Central Valley. Learn more about Dr. Sosa here.