Positive Education

You may have heard in the media lately the term “Kind July” which refers to a campaign run by an Australian non-for profit organisation; Stay Kind. This organisation was founded in memory of two young men who sadly took their own lives as a direct result of a prolonged period of bullying. “Kind July” looks to promote kindness not only as an attribute but as a powerful tool in the prevention of bullying and declining mental health in young Australians. 

We encourage all Australians to “do something kind” each day in July. Why stop after July? Studies have confirmed that brief simple acts of kindness benefit both the giver and receiver. Kindness does not have to be profound to make a difference to someone’s life. A simple daily act for a month has enormous flow-on benefits and also provides an opportunity for kindness to move to the front of our mind-set year-round.

This relates to us at Mount Carmel as we subscribe to the beliefs and ideals of Positive Education, or Pos-Ed. 

Pos-Ed is underpinned by a focus on character strengths and the building of positive emotions, relationships and connections. Acts of kindness are crucial to the building of positive relationships so this “Kind July” we want to encourage students to think about the ways that they can spread some kindness. Perhaps they could consider:

• Handing out some compliments. I have been talking to some of my classes this week about noticing when somebody has improved in their work and telling them; or recognising effort, or simply just reminding someone that they have value. If you notice something good about a person and you keep it to yourself, it goes nowhere. But if you let them know, you may just be the difference between them having a good day or a bad day.
• Making gestures: Kindness and love is about giving. What can you give as a gesture of kindness or love…? Words, attention, gifts, music..? There are endless ways that you can make a gesture of kindness but it requires action. Kindness doesn’t happen without a giver and a receiver. So be the giver…and see what you get back in return.
• Listening: Sometimes the best gesture you can offer, is your open mind and ears! Allowing others the opportunity to feel heard and to feel as though their thoughts and opinions are valid is a simple act of kindness. By listening, non-judgementally you can allow a person to share their feelings and prevent the ever-so-common “bottling-up” of emotions.
• Pay it forward: If you happen to be on the receiving end of an act of kindness, no matter how small or significant, bask in the moment and enjoy it but then think of a way to pass it on to somebody else so that the cycle can continue.

For some further information about the benefits of spreading kindness and the role that it plays in Pos-Ed, please click on the following audio link below to have a listen to a podcast released by the Institute of Positive Education. 

Kindness - The Strengths Spotlight Series

Remember, one small act of kindness has the power to make a BIG difference. So take that power and use it for good – be kind!