CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Affirmation - 9-Year-Old Boy Opens a "Compliment Stand" to

Boost People's Self-Esteem

An affirmation is a positive statement or compliment that recognizes someone’s strengths, character, efforts, or value.

Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Caring
  • Respect
SEL Skills
  • Relationship Skills
  • Self-Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Curiosity and Passion

Definitions

Caring
  • Be kind.
  • Be compassionate.
  • Express gratitude.
  • Forgive others.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Respect
  • Follow the Golden Rule.
  • Be accepting of differences.
  • Be courteous to others.
  • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Relationship Skills

Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers.

Self-Awareness

Identify and understand emotions, values, attitudes, motivations, mindsets, and personal attributes.

Curiosity and Passion

Enthusiastic to understand more about themselves, others, and the world around them.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
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The Ray Center at Drake University

Students will explore the power of affirmation by practicing giving sincere compliments to their peers. Through positive interactions, students will strengthen relationships, recognize the strengths of others, and learn how affirming words can help create a supportive classroom community.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What is a compliment? What makes a compliment meaningful?
  • How does it feel when someone says something kind to you?
  • What is an affirmation?
    • Affirmations are positive words that recognize someone’s strengths, actions, character, or efforts
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • What do you think inspired the boy to start his compliment stand, and why do you think people stopped to receive a compliment?
  • How did the people in the video seem to feel after receiving a compliment? What did you notice about their reactions?
  • Why do you think kind words can have such a strong impact on someone’s day, even when they come from a stranger?
  • What are some qualities, actions, or strengths that deserve recognition but might not get noticed very often?
  • If a simple compliment can boost someone’s self-esteem, how might our classroom change if we intentionally gave affirmations to one another every day?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Dice
activity

Activity: Rolling Compliments

  1. Have students stand and find a partner.
  2. Tell students they will play Rolling Compliments. Each time the teacher rolls the die, students will give their partner a compliment based on the number rolled. Explain that they should provide specific examples for each category. Dice compliment categories:
    • 1 – Compliment something your partner does well at school.
    • 2 – Compliment your partner’s kindness.
    • 3 – Compliment your partner’s effort or hard work.
    • 4 – Compliment something positive about your partner’s personality.
    • 5 – Compliment the way your partner helps others.
    • 6 – Compliment something unique or special about your partner.
  1. Model examples of appropriate compliments before beginning.
  2. After each round, students will switch partners before the next roll.
  3. Continue for several rounds so students have opportunities to affirm multiple classmates.
  4. Follow-up questions:
    • How did it feel to give affirmations to others?
    • How did it feel to receive affirmations?
    • Which compliments felt most meaningful? Why?
    • How can affirmations make our classroom a better place?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • What is the nicest affirmation someone has given you?
  • Write an affirmation you could give to a classmate or family member.
  • How do you feel when someone notices something good about you?

6-12

  • Describe a time when someone’s affirmation encouraged you.
  • Why are affirmations important for building strong relationships?
  • What are some ways you can intentionally affirm others this week?
family connection

Family Connection

Educators: Copy the Family Connection and email it to parents or click here to download a PDF version to email or print.

Watch

Discuss

Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about affirmation.

  • How do family members show affirmation to one another?
  • Why is it important to notice and appreciate each other’s strengths?
  • How can affirmations strengthen family relationships?

Activity

  • Create a family affirmation circle. Each family member takes turns sharing one sincere affirmation about another family member.
  • For an extra challenge, write affirmations on sticky notes and place them where family members will find them throughout the week. This helps spread encouragement and positivity at home.

More Kindness 101 Activities