Kindness

by Janice Ross

Suitable for Reception

Aims

To consider the value and effect of kind words and actions.

Preparation and materials

• Cut out some large grey cloud shapes and a few bright kite shapes and have a magnetic or other board to display them on, together with magnets or other means of attaching the shapes to the board during the assembly.
  
  
• Write out the following sentences on pieces of card or paper that will fit within the outlines of the cloud shapes and have some:
  –  I am really sleepy.
  –  My brother/sister was unkind to me this morning.
  –  I can’t do it!
  –  My friend isn’t speaking to me.
  –  I have got a sore tummy.
  –  I forgot my packed lunch.
  –  You can’t play with us.

• Cut out other kite shapes to give each child as they leave the assembly for them to draw their own designs on and colour in. Let staff know this so they can allow time for the children to do their colouring when they get back in to class to reinforce the message of the assembly.

Assembly

1. Ask the children questions such as, ‘Where has the sun gone? Where are the warm breezes?’ Talk about the weather at this time of year, about the cold, dark days.
   
   Explain that many people can feel a bit gloomy during the winter, a bit sad, a bit tired. Display the big grey clouds.
   
   Of course, if the snow comes, well, then we are all cheered up!
   
   
2. It is not just the time of year and the weather that can make us gloomy or sad. Sometimes we just feel it when we get up in the morning. Yesterday we might have felt really happy; today we feel a bit miserable. Maybe there are some children and adults in assembly today who feel a bit miserable.
   
   There can be many reasons for us having times when we feel sad or miserable or unhappy. Ask the children to think about some of them.
   
   Ask them also to consider each of the sentences you prepared. Stick each one on to a cloud shape and discuss. Ask if the children can identify with any of the sentiments expressed. There may prove to be lots of sad, gloomy clouds floating about!
   
   
3. Say, ‘I wonder what can chase these gloomy clouds away. Can we help?’ Ask the children for any suggestions.
   
   When a child suggests an act of kindness, kind words or empathy, praise him or her for that suggestion and ask him or her to stick one of the colourful kites over a grey cloud.
   
   Repeat this with each further helpful suggestion the children make until you have displayed each kite.
   
   
4. Explain to the children that a good way to remember this lesson is to learn the following rhyme:
   
   The kind things we do and say
   Chase the sad, grey clouds away.

Time for reflection

Tell the children that they will each be given a kite shape when they leave the assembly and will have some time in class to colour them in.

Also tell the children that you would like them to be on the lookout over the next days for anyone who needs a kind word or deed. They can then give that person their kite to chase the sad, grey clouds away. 

Prayer
Dear God, 
Thank you that you always know when we are feeling sad and gloomy and you also know why. 
Help us to be aware of others who are feeling like that.
Help us brighten up their day with a kind word or deed.
Amen.

Song/music

‘He’s got the whole world’ (Come and Praise, 19)