How to Make A Kindness Album
What Does Kindness Look Like?
Start with these questions and activities to prompt dialogue:
- Can you see kindness?
- Where can you find it?
- Can you draw a picture of kindness? (Provide colored pencils.)
- Can you take a photo of kindness?
Designate A Blank Album
Choose an oversized artist’s sketchpad or a looseleaf binder with plastic sleeves. Empty pages offer incentive as children come to understand the nature of the project as it expands over time. Place the book in a prominent spot to work on together.
Take Photos
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Photos from children’s daily experience offer relevance because the book is literally about them. Smart phones make it possible to take multiple snapshots in seconds. When you see an exchange that you want to highlight, snap a few discreet photos.
Focus on the interaction itself. In these photos, children are not posing or smiling for the camera; rather, they are engaged with what they are doing with their classmates, siblings or friends. Look for children comforting and helping each other. Images of caring for animals and plants can convey thoughtful moments, as do pictures of children interacting with adults. Consider shooting a series. |
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Take Photos
Photos from children’s daily experience offer relevance because the book is literally about them. Smart phones make it possible to take multiple snapshots in seconds. When you see an exchange that you want to highlight, snap a few discreet photos.
Focus on the interaction itself. In these photos, children are not posing or smiling for the camera; rather, they are engaged with what they are doing with their classmates, siblings or friends. Look for children comforting and helping each other. Images of caring for animals and plants can convey thoughtful moments, as do pictures of children interacting with adults. Consider shooting a series.
Focus on the interaction itself. In these photos, children are not posing or smiling for the camera; rather, they are engaged with what they are doing with their classmates, siblings or friends. Look for children comforting and helping each other. Images of caring for animals and plants can convey thoughtful moments, as do pictures of children interacting with adults. Consider shooting a series.
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Print out the photos to place in the book. With each new page, ask the pictured children to tell you what their page should say. Write up their words and place it at the bottom of the page under the photo, resembling picture book text. |
As Album Grows Discuss Photos
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Share the book with children every time you add a picture and invite them to talk about what they see.
You'll have more and more to talk about as the year progresses. You may start noticing new ways that children are supporting each other. You will also be able to look back at the expanding book chronicling children’s growth. Read Frequently Over TimeMake the book a part of daily life. At school, children can read it on their own during quiet reading time, with parents during drop off, or with each other. Teachers can also share the book at parent/teacher conferences to offer concrete examples of a child’s social-emotional growth over time. At home, children can read it with their parents and grandparents, share it with guests, and participate in family discussions that highlight moments of kindness.
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