Kindness to Yourself, Kindness to Others Guest Post By Annelise Dixon

As a former Head Start teacher, special education assistant and substitute teacher, I have a great respect for educators. Shaping the minds and hearts of youngsters is truly a labor of love and an awesome responsibility. 

I recently reached out to teacher Annelise Dixon on Instagram. I LOVE her enthusiasm and outlook. I knew I wanted to invite her to the DIY Mom Blog to share a bit of her contagious enthusiasm. Annelise was a doll and wrote this lovely piece on kindness. Who doesn't need more kindness in their life? Take it away, Annelise...

“Give me knowledge so that I may have kindness for all.” – Native American Proverb

Kindness is Crucial to Our Wellbeing and to the Wellbeing of Others

When was the last time you showed kindness? What about generosity, tolerance, compassion, support, friendliness and warmth? How often do you do a good deed without expecting anything in return?  These are all traits of kindness that are crucial to our wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.

We live in a world that is constantly being bombarded by the latest social media websites and technological advances. It is important, now more than ever, that we cultivate kindness to bring our community together rather than driving everyone apart.

Kindness – It Starts with You

The first step to increasing your kindness involves being kind to yourself. Develop your inner voice to be nurturing and forgiving rather than harsh and critical. Looking after yourself, valuing your unique personal traits, being proud of your achievements, and forgiving yourself if you make a mistake are all ways of being kind to yourself. Implementing these suggestions will build your self-esteem and a sense of satisfaction in your life.

Celebrate Others

Celebrate the successes of others as well as your own. Remember that we have all had different experiences in our lives that shape who we are. We need to show empathy and respect to others because we don’t know what they have gone through in life. Avoid comparing yourself to others, as this will only lead to competitiveness, jealousy and spite.

 

Kindness is Action

Some suggestions to increase your kindness are using good manners, avoiding making unnecessary complaints, and listening to someone with your full attention. Write a note to a student, friend, family member, colleague or employee expressing your gratitude to them. Jot down what you love about yourself and others. Smile and laugh more to build relationships of trust and respect.

Start practicing kindness today. It is possible to become a kinder person but don’t expect it to happen overnight. Start small with some of the suggestions in this post and build up from there!

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible” - Dalia Lama

ABOUT ANNELISE DIXON

Annelise is a beginning teacher, working in Newcastle, Australia. She has a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and is currently studying the Master of Special and Inclusive Education at the University of Newcastle. Annelise is passionate about teaching music and reading. She also has a passion for learning as much as she can about topics and blogging about them! Annelise is inspired by the work of Nelson Mandela, Sir Ken Robinson and Paulo Freire. She hopes to inspire wellness and happiness in all people. Readers can connect with Annelise on her website.

10 Reasons Why Reading to Children is Important - The Benefits of Reading to Kids

There's no denying that reading to children is an important and rewarding activity that can make a significant impact in the life of a child. It's recommended that parents, grandparents, teachers and caregivers try setting aside even just fifteen minutes a day to read to small children or listen to older children read.

Starting when our children our infants and continuing into their tweens, reading together is extremely beneficial for everyone. The reasons are many and I’ve compiled ten of what I consider the more important ones here: 

1.  Children who are read to at a young age are more likely to remain avid readers later in life.
2.  Reading to children helps build their vocabulary skills.
3.  Adults who read to children are modeling their own enthusiasm for books and reading.
4.  Reading to children introduces proper grammar and language skills.
5.  Reading to children encourages imagination.
6.  Reading introduces kids to different cultures, people, places and situations they might not otherwise be exposed to.
7.  Adults who read to children are opening up those all-important lines of communication and discussion.
8.  Reading to children can easily become a valued family tradition.
9.  Reading to kids improves their concentration skills and focus.
10.  Reading to children can be a useful tool when determining a child’s developmental level.

What are your thoughts about reading to kids? How often do you and your children read together? What are some of your children’s favorite books? Has reading together become a favorite family tradition? I’d love to know, so leave your comments below!