Why does it matter?
The YouthTruth Survey question “Most students at this school are friendly to me” — which students answer on a Likert scale — helps us to know how strong peer-to-peer relationships are. The question can help us create a culture where students treat their peers with respect, use their voices to help others, and appreciate one another’s differences.
Character Lab’s Kindness Playbook
Here’s a how-two from Character Lab on creating a culture where students act and speak in ways intended to help others.
Model it
Try to openly take cues to model kind behavior and communication. And, of course, practice lots of kindness!
Celebrate it
Point out when you notice the kind behavior of others. This will help students become more alert to acts of kindness as well as the needs of others.
Enable it
Character Lab suggests using “If ____, then ____” types of phrasing to help students create habits of kindness. For example: “If someone is walking behind me through a door, then I will hold the door for them.” Eventually, the decision to do the kind thing will start to come more naturally to students.