10 Videos That Will Inspire Kids To Be Kind & Empathetic
Kids can be mean. It’s heartbreaking when you see it. Someone left out because of their gender. Someone made fun of because they aren’t wearing the “right” clothes. Someone forgotten about.
Kids can be mean. But they also can be incredibly kind.
I’ll never forget hearing students at an after school event making plans to include someone who was homeschooled and didn’t know anyone. Or the time when a student couldn’t join in the long anticipated school Walk-A-Thon because of her broken leg, and a few other girls stayed back to be with her.
Moments like these are so touching and make me so proud to know those kids.
But, how do we encourage more of this in kids? How do we foster a community where kids see and respond to the needs of others around them?
These 10 videos focused on empathy and kindness are a great place to start.
It Doesn’t Have To Be Complicated…
SO many amazing resources and ideas are out there that it can be hard to know where to start. Especially when teaching about kindness isn’t the only thing on your plate.
Don’t worry. Teaching about kindness doesn’t have to require tons of time. In fact, these 10 kindness and empathy videos are each five minutes or less.
Because they are so short and easy, you can add them into what you’re already doing without spending a ton of extra time.
Simple ways to use them:
Morning meetings
Post them on your school website or school counseling page
During morning announcements that are done via video
When you have 5 minutes that you’re not sure how to fill
No matter when you use them, these videos will inspire your students to spread kindness and empathy in their communities.
Kindness & Empathy Videos For Grades K-2
Sesame Street - Empathy With Mark Ruffalo
This video is perfect for helping young students understand what empathy is. Murray Monster and Mark Ruffalo talk about what empathy means and go through several examples. Use this helpful video for introducing important social skills to your K-2 students!
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood - “It’s Great To Be Kind” Song
In this short video, students will hear and sing along to Daniel Tiger’s song about being kind. This catchy tune provides great examples of kindness that your young students will be able to relate to. The chorus of the song is easy to remember and will help students remember the importance of kindness.
Ways To Make Your School A Kinder Place
This video from The Great Kindness Challenge includes unique ways to spread kindness at your school. These ideas are easy to implement and are a great launching point to discussing ways that you and your students can make your school a kinder place!
Kid President - 20 Things We Should Say More Often
This kindness video from Kid President is perfect for your elementary school students. Kids will learn practical ways to show kindness and empathy through the words they use. Watch the video and then talk with your students about which words they would like said to them. It’s a great way to tie kindness and empathy together!
Singa and the Kindness Cubbies - Empathy
This sweet video shows two characters who have a hard time understanding each other. This leads them to being unkind to one another. Thankfully, they are able to understand their differences and learn to consider how the other person might be feeling. Use this video to help K-2 students understand what empathy looks like in a real-life scenario.
Empathy & Kindness Videos For Grades 3-5
Kids Explain Empathy
This is a great video to help your students learn from other kids their age about what empathy is. The students in this video share about times when they have shown empathy to others, as well as times they have received empathy. The video is perfect for helping students understand what empathy can look like in their own lives.
Kids Learning Tube - Empathy Song
Through the song in this video, students will learn about what empathy is and how they can show it to others. Students will love the fun song as they understand more about this important social skill.
Color Your World With Kindness
This powerful kindness video for elementary students shows the impact that kindness can have. What might start as a small act of kindness can end up making the world a better place. The video is perfect to inspire students to consider the ways that their kindness can change their communities.
Kid President - How Goodness Spreads
Heartwarming as always, Kid President is back with some great advice for how to spread goodness. His impactful message shows that anyone can show kindness and that the power of kindness is stronger when we all work together.
The Science Of Kindness
This video helps students understand the importance of kindness from a scientific perspective. Students will learn about how kindness affects their own brains, and the brains of the people to whom they have shown kindness. The video then reminds the students that there is the opportunity to spread kindness worldwide by beginning with one small act.
These 10 kindness and empathy videos for elementary school are sure to help your students understand the power of showing kindness to others. The videos will also help them consider practical ways that they can show kindness and empathy in their daily lives. If you’re looking for lessons and activities to use with these videos, click the boxes below!
