Can we diminish bullying by simply promoting small acts of kindness? Recent research indicates that engaging in kind acts enhances happiness, which in turn may help mitigate bullying.
How can we lessen bullying among children?
Could encouraging small acts of kindness be part of the solution? A new study reveals that fostering simple acts of kindness significantly contributes to children’s personal happiness, possibly aiding in the reduction of bullying.
A research team from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of California, Riverside (UCR) involved 400 elementary schoolchildren in Vancouver for their study. These children, aged between nine and eleven, were divided into two groups to participate in and document one of the following activities over a four-week period:
- Engage in acts of kindness, such as sharing their lunch or giving a hug to their mother when she seemed stressed or helping carry groceries.
- Keep a record of enjoyable places they visited, like the playground, mall, or a grandparent’s house.
Doing good brings happiness
The researchers built on existing studies that show how doing good deeds for others fosters personal happiness.
Being liked encourages good behavior
They also referenced prior findings indicating that well-liked preadolescents are more likely to engage in inclusive behaviors and show less externalizing behavior, including bullying.
Kindness fosters happiness, popularity, and consequently reduces bullying
The UBC and UCR study showed that children who performed acts of kindness “not only enhanced their well-being but also their popularity.” The researchers suggest that increased peer acceptance correlates with various significant academic and social outcomes, including a decreased likelihood of being bullied.
Study author and UBC Faculty of Education professor, Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, stated that “… teachers can probably foster a sense of connectedness in the classroom by simply encouraging students to consider how they can be kind to one another, which can lead to reduced bullying.”
Small acts of kindness
Looking for suggestions to help your children increase their kindness? Here are some ideas:
- Greet a younger child at school each day.
- Pick up a classmate’s pen or pencil if it falls.
- Assist a peer in understanding a challenging concept.
- Hold the door open for someone.
- Help maintain cleanliness in the classroom or school.
- Let someone go ahead of you in line.
- Make someone smile with humor.
- Share a snack with a friend.
- Thank your bus driver (or your mom!).
- Offer to help with household chores.
- Pick up toys without needing to be asked.
- Clean up after yourself without prompting.
- Organize your room without reminders.
- Gather unwanted toys or clothes to donate.
- Complain less frequently.
- Give someone a hug.
- Assist a neighbor with snow clearing or garbage disposal.
- Share a kind word or compliment about someone.
- Share a toy or game with a friend.
- Express sincere gratitude by saying thank you.
