The Science of Kindness: why teaching children to be kind is important

This week marks World Kindness Day, and at My Primary Tutor we believe that teaching our students emotional skills like this is just as important as the academics!

Of course we want to teach our children to be kind, especially in today's social-media savvy culture where people are quick to point out differences and 'cancel culture' is rife, but did you know that there are scientific benefits to kindness too?

Yes, it turns out that kindness benefits not just the person to whom we are kind, but ourselves as well - an extra reason to make sure our children learn its importance early on in life!

Being kind produces oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone which makes us feel good. It turns out that being kind produces that hormone in ALL the people involved - the person being kind, the person to whom the kindness is directed and EVEN anyone who witnesses the kindness! Production of oxytocin benefits us in a number of ways including reduced blood pressure and better heart health - so it turns out that kindness has medical benefits too!

Being kind improves our energy levels and mental health

According to Christine Carter at UC Berkeley, 50% of people in a study reported feeling higher energy levels after helping someone, and many also reported feeling calmer and experiencing higher levels of self-worth.

Being kind makes you happier

A study in 2010 across many countries showed that people who regularly helped others (in this particular study is was people who made charitable donations) were happier than others.

Being kind keeps you young

According to a study in 1998, people who are regularly kind have 23% less cortisol ( a stress hormone) and age more slowly than others!

Being kind is contagious!

Did you know that witnessing others engaging in acts of kindness makes others feel good and makes them significantly more likely to perform an act of kindness themselves?

Do you need support in promoting your child's mental wellbeing? At My Primary Tutor we firmly believe that a solid foundation in mental health, and knowledge of how to keep ourselves mentally healthy is the foundational step to academic learning.

That's why we have created our signature programme, Emotions First to help children to learn more about their own mental health, and to empower then to take control of it.

If you'd like to learn more, take a look at our website or give Karen a call on myprimarytutor@yahoo.com