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14. The 5 pillars of kindness

Mindly Team

Created on May 29, 2025

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Transcript

00:15

hello

I am Brainy and I am here to guide you in this activity. First, a short quiz will be offered to discover what you know about the topic we will discuss.

Next, you will watch a video, prepared by experts, which will help you deepen your understanding of the key concepts.

Finally, a second quiz will allow you to check everything you've learned, accompanied by a series of tips to help you implement these educational tools.

Let's get started!

00:15

The 5 pillars of kindness

Quiz

BEFORE

Here are 10 questions to explore the concept of kindness together, a thoughtful approach that enhances classroom dynamics and learning.

START

1/10

Quiz Before

What are some ways to show kindness towards students?

2/10

Quiz before

What are the benefits of kindness towards students?

3/10

QUIZ before

What strategies can a teacher use to express emotions without appearing vulnerable?

3/10

Quiz before

What elements contribute to a good classroom climate?

5/10

QUIZ before

What are the reasons for validating children's emotions in the classroom?

6/10

PRE-QUIZ

What are the influences that contributed to the approach of kindness in education?

7/10

QUIZ before

What are the positive effects of kindness on learning according to neuroscience?

8/10

QUIZ before

What are the benefits of kindness in education for adults?

9/10

quiz before

What approaches can promote kindness while maintaining discipline in the classroom?

10/10

QUIZ before

What are the benefits of kindness in the classroom with adolescents?

QUIZ after

Quiz

After

Here is a quiz of 8 questions based on the video you just watched.

STARTER

1/8

QUIZ after

2/8

QUIZ after

3/8

QUIZ after

4/8

QUIZ after

5/8

QUIZ afterward

6/8

QUIZ after

7/8

QUIZ after

8/8

QUIZ after

QUIZ after

summary

Stress

Unconditional Acceptance

Classroom Climate Role

Kindness and Stress

Sense of Security

Active Listening

Kindness

TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The hamburger feedback

Practice Active Listening

Take Time to Reflect and Adjust

Establish Kindness Rituals

Model Kind Behavior

ONLINE RESOURCES

“The Compassionate Classroom: Relationship Based Teaching and Learning”

"Compassionate School Practices: Fostering Children's Mental Health and Well-Being”

"Random Acts of Kindness in School: The Breakfast Club”

"Building a Culture of Kindness in Schools" - Holly Smith

"The Science of Kindness: Creating a Positive Classroom Environment"

well

done

See you soon for new challenges!

Establish Routines of Kindness

Create regular moments to promote positive interactions in your classroom. For example, start or end each lesson with a sharing circle where students can express their thoughts or experiences. These routines strengthen group cohesion and create a positive climate.

This approach is excellent for creating a positive routine and strengthening the sense of community in the classroom. Regular rituals can help embed kind behaviors into the classroom culture.

Example: Start each lesson with a “sharing circle” where each student has the opportunity to share good news or a positive experience from the week. It can be as simple as a compliment to a peer or a personal achievement. At the end of each lesson, conclude with a minute of gratitude where everyone can express something they are thankful for.

Practice Active Listening

Adopt active listening by showing empathy.

This tip is crucial for establishing a trusting relationship with students. It shows that the teacher truly values students' thoughts and feelings, which can greatly enhance their engagement and well-being in the classroom.

Example: If a student expresses concerns about a group project, show that you are listening by saying: "I understand that you feel a bit overwhelmed by the teamwork. Can you tell me what worries you the most?" Then rephrase their words to show you understood: "So, if I understand correctly, you're worried about the distribution of tasks?".

Active listening

Active listening and caring rituals are concrete techniques to establish kindness in a teacher's daily life.By incorporating these techniques into their daily practice, teachers can significantly improve the classroom environment, promote learning and student well-being, while strengthening positive and respectful relationships.

"Random Acts of Kindness in School: The Breakfast Club” - Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education

In this video titled the focus is on how small acts of kindness can positively transform school environments. Teachers and students are encouraged to embrace simple, thoughtful gestures that promote respect, inclusivity, and support, enhancing classroom dynamics. The video suggests that these practices help build a positive community atmosphere, reduce stress, and foster a culture where everyone feels valued.

The feedback hamburger

Next, formulate the correction constructively by explaining what could be improved,

And end with another positive point or encouragement to show your confidence in their ability to improve.

Start with a positive point to highlight the student's effort,

Use the feedback hamburger model: start with a compliment (the "bread" at the top), follow with constructive criticism (the "meat"), and end with a positive note or encouragement (the "bread" at the bottom). This approach helps address critiques constructively while maintaining the student's motivation.

Feedback Method Hamburger

It is an effective and widely recognized technique. It allows giving constructive feedback while keeping a positive atmosphere. This is especially useful for students sensitive to criticism.

Example: At the end of a school term, organize a feedback session with your students where you ask what they liked about your class and what could be improved. Ask questions like: "What helped you learn this year? Were there moments when you felt less comfortable?" Use their feedback to adjust your teaching methods.

  1. Start with a positive point to highlight the student's effort,
  2. Next, formulate the correction constructively by explaining what could be improved,
  3. And end with another positive point or encouragement to show your confidence in their ability to improve.

“The Compassionate Classroom: Relationship Based Teaching and Learning” - Sura Hart, Victoria Kindle Hodson

This book provides practical strategies for creating a compassionate classroom environment, emphasizing the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in education.

"Compassionate School Practices: Fostering Children's Mental Health and Well-Being” - Mason, Asby, Wenzel, Volk and Staeheli

This book offers a framework for establishing a compassionate school culture, addressing trauma, and promoting mental health and well-being for both students and staff.

Model Benevolent Behavior

Be a role model of kindness by adopting a positive and respectful attitude towards your students and colleagues. Lead by example using kind language, celebrating others' successes, and approaching each situation with calmness and respect.

It might be the most powerful tip. Students learn a lot through observation, and seeing their teacher practice kindness daily can have a profound impact on their own behavior.

Example: During a meeting with colleagues or parents, use positive and respectful language, even if disagreements arise. For example, instead of saying "You don't understand my method," you could say "I see we have different approaches, but I would like to explore how we can find common ground." This shows students how to handle conflicts respectfully.

Feeling of safety

The feeling of safety, especially psychological safety, is a key concept in the work of Stanislas Dehaene, neuroscientist. His research in cognitive neuroscience sheds light on the brain mechanisms related to learning, curiosity, and error management, all intimately connected to a secure environment. Stanislas Dehaene shows that when students feel safe, their brains become more receptive to learning.

Take the Time to Reflect and Adjust

Dedicate time to reflect on your practices and their impact on your students' well-being. Invite students to share their opinions on the classroom atmosphere and what could be improved. This self-assessment will help you adjust your methods and ensure they meet your students' needs.

This tip is essential for continuous improvement. It encourages self-reflection and adaptation, which are crucial for maintaining a caring environment in the long term.

Example: At the end of a school term, organize a feedback session with your students where you ask what they liked about your class and what could be improved. Ask questions like: “What helped you learn this year? Were there moments when you felt less comfortable?” Use their feedback to adjust your teaching methods.

Stress

Neuroscientist Michel Desmurget states that chronic stress can harm students' brain development, affecting their concentration.

"Building a Culture of Kindness in Schools" - Holly Smith

Holly Smith shares effective strategies for implementing kindness initiatives in schools, discussing the benefits for both students and educators.These resources offer valuable insights and practical approaches to integrating kindness and compassion into educational settings.

"The Science of Kindness: Creating a Positive Classroom Environment" - Dr. David Hamilton

Dr. David Hamilton explores how kindness improves classroom dynamics. He explains that kind acts release feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine, reducing stress and boosting well-being. Kindness is also contagious—when students see it, they're more likely to act kindly too. By promoting kindness, teachers can create more supportive, productive, and emotionally healthy learning environments.

Kindness and stress

Kindness plays a crucial role in reducing stress and improving overall well-being. According to Catherine Gueguen, a caring environment can lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, in students.

Unconditional acceptance

Unconditional acceptance is a fundamental concept in psychology and education, notably developed by Carl Rogers. It is defined as an attitude of welcoming without judgment towards oneself or others, regardless of circumstances, behaviors, or expressed feelings.

Role of the classroom climate

The classroom climate plays a significant role in students' learning.A positive classroom climate greatly promotes learning and can have a beneficial impact on academic performance, self-esteem, motivation, and students' attitude.

Kindness

Kindness can improve behavior management by encouraging students to naturally respect the rules and engage more.