Kindness Defined

By Freida Dario-Santiago

To commemorate World Kindness Day, we asked a few schoolchildren from the Boracay European International School (BEIS) to tell us, in their own words, what kindness means to them and to give examples of acts of kindness. Why children? Because they have a magical way of seeing things simply and reminding us of truths adults sometimes forget.

WE ASKED:

What is kindness?

What are some examples of acts of kindness?

The result is a heartwarming collection of thoughts from these grade schoolers, ages 6 to 13, on how even the simplest acts of kindness can make the world a better place.

In a world where you can be anything, be kind.

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✍🏼 Art by Vivian Hsia ✍🏼 iStockphoto

Kindness is taking care of people, truly wishing the best for someone and trying to make their life better.

Sharing, picking up trash, helping old people cross the road, giving gifts and checking up on people.

Malachite Larocque

Grade 8, 13 years old

Kindness is being understanding, friendly, and helpful, using words and actions to express it. 

Greeting people, giving compliments, holding the door for someone and more, and making someone’s day better. 

Amber Maciulis

Grade 8, 13 years old

Kindness is being friendly, considerate and generous. Listening to people when they are talking to you and acting with genuine care without the desire to do good only for a reward. 

Helping people, listening when someone needs to talk, and being nice towards people you don’t know.

Tamara Sawyer

Grade 8, 13 years old

When you show kindness or respect to someone, it can really touch their heart. Helping someone or sharing your things with someone are basic acts of kindness, but to the person you are being kind to, it gives them a feeling of hope and happiness. 

Nathan Yap

Grade 7, 12 years old

Kindness is an act of showing care. Kindness can be expressed in many ways, like showing respect, having empathy and possessing a good heart. This is why we have to show kindness and create a positive environment for everybody, making the world a better place. 

Anastasia Uy

Grade 7, 12 years old

Having kindness is having empathy. Kindness isn’t forced, it’s shared. Kindness is simply an action that could brighten someone’s day. A single compliment can lighten someone’s mood.

Gianella Patricia Ching

Grade 7, 12 years old

Kindness is an act. Like when you help your friends, family, anyone, actually. Don’t be rude or judge people. 

Gaia Mayari R. Evora

Grade 6, 11 years old

Kindness gives hope to people. Kindness is forgiving people who did wrong and donating to those in need. 

Alfie Chapman

Grade 6, 11 years old

Kindness is the passageway to paradise.  Examples of kindness are helping people and giving rights to stop hating.

Danaia Blu Jankowski

Grade 5, 10 years old

Kindness is being friendly and generous. It is helping people without expecting anything in return. 

Edcarlos Centina

Grade 5, 10 years old

Kindness is an act of being nice. Examples of kindness are helping others, being nice or being respectful to others.

Kiera Kay Sweeney

Grade 4, 9 years old

Kindness is caring for others and helping people who are sad. Sharing my toys and being nice to others. 

Isabella Oliver

Grade 2, 7 years old

Kindness is when you help your friends. 

Mila Rouillard 

Grade 1, 6 years old

Kindness is giving your water bottle to your friend. 

Mary Melton

Grade 1, 6 years old