World Kindness Week- November 13 through November 20

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see”- Mark Twain

On November 13, 1997, a group of humanitarian organizations from around the world came together at a conference in Tokyo and made a ‘Declaration of Kindness.’ This declaration had no political nor religious affiliations. The main goal was to inspire people all over the world to be kind to one another. This special day, a day in which one performs one random act of kindness, has now expanded into World Kindness Week. The week begins November 13th and continues through November 20th.

Cellist and composer Pablo Casals is quoted as saying “Each person has inside a basic decency and goodness. If he listens to it and acts on it, he is giving a great deal of what it is the world needs most.” Sometimes it feels as if people are not listening to the goodness inside them. It only takes sixty seconds of a news broadcast to see it- mass shootings, misconduct, and name calling most often fill those sixty seconds. If ever we needed a week to be kind to one another that week is definitely now.

Each of us in our life’s roles, some as parents, some as librarians, some as teachers, etc., has a chance to be an example of kindness. As we interact with children we are given countless opportunities to share how to be kind to one another. A simple thank you, a hug, holding the door open, a smile. These simple gestures can brighten a child’s day and show them how kindness towards one another cost nothing and usually only seconds of one’s time. Think about it- a few seconds of your time can help create a kind, compassionate environment. Your example of kindness can have a lifetime of impact on a child and you realize it, because somewhere along your own life someone was kind to you and it made an impact.

Incorporating books about kindness into your weekly reading is a subtle way of showing children the impact of being kind to someone. We invite you to add books about kindness to the book crate in your classroom, library, and at home- anywhere where a child can easily have access to it.