Lightbrand Productions

Need some help learning how to be kind and respectful? Here’s a quick guide you can use:

1. Look Up and Notice People

Kindness starts with paying attention to what others are doing. While it’s important to focus on what you’re doing, only focusing on yourself all the time makes you seem mean or selfish. Here’s what you can do to make people feel seen and heard:

• Look people in the eyes when they talk.
• Smile and wave when you see another person.
• Be the first to say hello instead of waiting for them to say it.

Saying hello to people shows you know they are there. It also helps to connect with them by a simple exchange of words. It’s like opening a window shade to let in the light.

2. Use Words of Encouragement

Words are tools. You use them to build someone up, but they can also tear someone down. Make sure you’re being encouraging instead of discouraging. Try saying things like:

• “You did a great job.”
• “I like your artwork.”
• “Want to play with us?”
• “It’s okay. I’m here for you.”

Think about how you speak to your friends and family. Do you think your words make them feel good or bad?

3. Share With Others

Sharing isn’t about giving away everything you own. It’s about making room for someone else. It feels good when you let others play with your toys or give your friend the last piece of pizza, and you see how happy it makes them. If you need help with sharing, you can:

• Take turns with a toy or game.
• Share your snack.
• Invite others to join your group.

The secret of sharing is that while you will have things other people want, they will have things that you want. Everyone can win if you give up a little bit of something for yourself so that others can have some too. When they have something you want, they will be willing to share with you.

4. Help Without Being Asked

If you see someone struggling, don’t just stand there watching. Offer to help them out and be willing to step in. It shows you understand what they’re doing is difficult, and you’re willing to sacrifice some of your time to make things a bit easier. Here’s some things you can do to help out around your home or school:

• Pick up dropped pencils.
• Clean your room and pick up your toys.
• Hold the door for others.

The world runs smoother when people help before being told to. This will make your parents and teachers very happy.

5. Say You’re Sorry and Mean It

Everybody makes mistakes. Even you. Even me. Even Skel. Nobody expects you to never mess up, but it’s important to apologize when you do. Being kind means you will:

• Admit when you’re wrong.
• Say sorry without excuses.
• Work hard to do better next time.

Saying sorry doesn’t make you weak. It makes you strong. It takes real inner strength to admit that you did something wrong. But you can’t just say the words—you have to actually feel sorry about your mistake.

6. Don’t Exclude Others

A great big act of kindness is to include everyone, even those who might seem different from you. When you see someone sitting alone or looking sad, you can: invite them to join you and your friends.

• Invite them to join you and your friends.
• Sit next to them and have a conversation.
• Ask them their name and tell them yours.

Being left out can hurt more than burning your hand or scraping your knee. Don’t be the reason someone else feels invisible and alone. That’s at the core of showing kindness and respect to others.

7. Be Kind To Yourself Too

It’s wonderful to be kind to others, but you need to show kindness to yourself as well. If you make a mistake, don’t get down on yourself. Instead, you should:

• Say encouraging things to yourself.
• Take a deep breath in and slowly let it out.
• Make up your mind to try again.

It’s hard to be kind to others if you aren’t kind to yourself. Don’t worry—you can’t run out of kindness and respect. You have more in your heart than you’ll ever need!