How Do Elementary Students Show Kindness to Others?

Maybe the kids are alright. In a recent study, fourth and fifth grade students described kindness in terms of generosity and compassion, including such actions as:

  • Sharing food
  • Congratulating people
  • Listening when a friend is sad
  • Helping friends with a question they’re stuck on

Interestingly, in the study, students’ ratings of each others’ kindness were unrelated to how teachers rate student kindness.

See how this study impacts SEL program design.