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Kindness is Good For You…And Everyone Else!

Kindness happens when someone is nice to, does something nice for or generally shows caring towards someone else. It’s often one of the first things that we teach young children when they are learning how to get along with others at school. And it may actually be easier for young children to be kind because they tend not to see themselves as being separate from or even “up against” the rest of the world. Kindness is, however, good for everyone, and here are just a few reasons why:

  • Kindness brings people together. Whether it creates a friendship between two people, or brings a whole community out to complete a project, kindness allows people to become closer to one another. And when people have more social ties, they tend to be happier and healthier. Also, when one person sees you being kind, they are more likely to be kind to someone else.
  • Kindness makes you happier. When you do something nice for someone else, they feel good, and, it turns out, that you will feel happier, too.  One study found that the more acts of kindness people performed, the happier they felt.
  • Kindness has positive effects on your health. Studies show that when you are kind to others, your body releases the hormone oxytocin. This powerful hormone can then cause the release of other chemicals in your body that lower your blood pressure and help to keep your heart healthy. Kindness also reduces inflammation in the body, which can help keep you from getting sick.

Being kind not only creates a better world where everyone is closer and kinder, it is also just plain good for you! What a great way to start the new year with a resolution that will help you be happier and healthier, is free, and is something that you can share with your kids: “Be kind”.

Resources used:

6 Science Backed Ways Being Kind is Good for Your Health

5 Side Effects of Kindness

Is Kindness a Weakness?

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Text: © Kids In Transition to School 2019

Image: © Anastasiia Stiahailo | Dreamstime.com

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Picture of Katherine Pears

Katherine Pears

Dr. Katherine Pears is a senior scientist at Oregon Social Learning Center (OSLC). She earned her Ph.D in clinical psychology and has worked with OSLC since 1998. Katherine is the principal investigator and co-developer of the Kids In Transition to Schools (KITS) program. Currently, she oversees all the clinical and research activities for KITS. When she’s not in her office, you’ll find Katherine in the kitchen whipping up her latest creation or outdoors hiking a scenic trail.
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TFC CONSULTANTS, OSLC, ODI

Confidentiality Agreement

This year, we return to in-person training. We will be in spaces where multiple programs, in addition to KITS, operate. We are asking all attendees to agree with the Confidentiality Agreement below to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

As an employee, volunteer, visitor, or associate of TFC Consultants, Inc., Oregon Social Learning Center and OSLC Developments, Inc., I agree to the following:

  1. To refrain from discussing material relating to individual persons and/or families with, or in the presence of, persons other than those who have signed this confidentiality agreement.
  2. To refrain from disclosing the participation of individual persons and/or families in research, prevention, demonstration, evaluation, dissemination, and/or treatment projects at TFCC, OSLC and ODI to persons other than those who have signed this confidentiality agreement.
  3. To maintain confidentiality as outlined above, both during and after my association with TFC Consultants, Inc., Oregon Social Learning Center and OSLC Developments, Inc.
  4. To see that all files containing material relating to individual persons and/or families are locked, whether or not this material contains identifying information, and that information is released only to authorized persons.
  5. To immediately report any breach in confidentiality to my supervisor and/or the management of TFCC, OSLC and ODI.

KITS REQUIREMENTS

Coaching and Videotaping

KITS uses ongoing coaching to support educators in the implementation of the model. We do this through viewing groups on video, weekly team meetings, and fidelity monitoring. Your team will record KITS School Readiness and Parent Groups and upload each session to a secure online platform (such as Box.com). The videos are only used as a means to support KITS staff. We promise it’s not scary!

Your KITS team will meet every week to talk about what is working well and areas where you may be experiencing challenges. During these meetings, teams and coaches will work together to problem-solve challenges, offer support and encouragement, and celebrate successes!

If parents or students do not wish to be recorded, they can be seated out of view or for online parent groups they may turn off their cameras.

Ownership

‘Kids In Transition to School’ and ‘KITS’ are registered trademarks of Oregon Social Learning Center (OSLC) in Eugene, Oregon.

KITS Program Manuals are protected by copyrights owned by OSLC.

This means there are some limits to how you can use KITS:

  • KITS Program Materials can only be used as intended. Materials may not be modified and/or used for a different purpose.
  • KITS Program Materials must not be distributed to anyone outside of KITS, including colleagues.
  • KITS Materials may no longer be used if your school district or agency ends its contract with KITS.