Children learn by role-playing, and so a great way to teach them about kindness is to play out different acts of kindness that take place in the world at large. The following dramatic play activities are designed for kids in Preschool and early elementary school.
After each activity, have a group time discussion about these different acts of kindness and caring. Ask questions like:
- What motivates people to help out in such situations?
- How do you think those who receive these acts of kindness feel about it?
- How does it feel to be the one giving these kind acts?
Soup Kitchen
Set out a table in your dramatic play area, and cover it with a tablecloth. Next collect an assortment of large pots, ladles & spoons. Then add napkins, plastic or styrofoam bowls, and plastic serving spoons. Have kids take turns being the soup kitchen workers while others line up to get the soup and then sit down to eat.
Food Bank
Spend a couple weeks gathering as many empty food containers, empty formula cans, and empty cereal boxes as you can. Collect all the items and organize them on a shelf or table in your dramatic play area. Also set out bags of some type and clipboards with pen and paper so kids can pretend to track the inventory. Some kids can pretend to be the workers while others the families in need. Add baby dolls or other props if you’d like.
Have the workers ask the other kids what they need and then dole out the supplies. Encourage the kids to make up stories a in their play about what different predicaments landed them on hard times. Perhaps the husband lost his job, or maybe a giant hamster ate up their house, and so that’s why they need food.
Little old lady
Provide children with a cane, a gray wig, perhaps some granny glasses, and any other elderly props you can manage to come up with. Have children take turns being the “little old lady,” while other kids try to think of all the ways they can help her, from pretending to a walk her across the street to giving hugs or kisses and rubbing the feet or fetching a pillow.
Disaster relief
This is a fun one that the kids will enjoy. Set out a variety of first-aid items, such as bandages, splints, knee braces, gauze wrapping, ice packs, etc. You might also layout a couple cots to serve as gurney’s. Have the kids invent their own disaster scenarios and then take turns playing roles of both victim and rescuer.
After each activity, have a group time discussion about these different acts of kindness and caring. Ask questions like:
- What motivates people to help out in such situations?
- How do you think those who receive these acts of kindness feel about it?
- How does it feel to be the one giving these kind acts?