[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]Mentors have the unique opportunity to help kids learn important core values. Many kids, especially our Littles who are growing up in difficult circumstances, don’t always receive the message that they should aim to be kind, compassionate and respectful. Failing to learn these core values early on can have a negative effect in the future. According to a general third-party survey, 76 percent of respondents said the world is a less kind place than it was 10 to 20 years ago.

Fortunately, our mentors are setting positive examples and can help their Littles develop kindness, compassion and respect by organizing activities to practice these traits. Here are four fun ways Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers can teach kids kindness.[/fwp-anim-text][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]

Make “Thank You” Cards

A simple yet powerful phrase, saying “thank you” can make someone’s day. When you thank someone, you acknowledge their effort and make them feel valued and appreciated.

Encourage your mentee to think of all the people who help him or her: teachers, friends, family, neighbors. Then, make cards with personalized messages to each person to express gratitude.

Together, you can also send cards or letters to local organizations like Orange County-based A Million Thanks, which delivers the letters to active, reserve and veteran military.[/fwp-anim-text][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]

Clean the Beaches or Parks

Kindness doesn’t just mean treating individuals nicely, it also means being respectful to the environment. Sign up for a park or beach cleanup with your mentee. It’s a great opportunity to teach the Boy Scouts rule to “leave the campground (beach, park, or other area) cleaner than you found it.”

The best thing about a park or beach cleanup is that when you’re done helping out, you can spend the day outside. Pack some snacks and bring a football or Frisbee and enjoy the rest of your day outdoors.

Join Big Brothers Big Sisters for a beach cleanup on Sunday, March 5 at Newport Beach from 9 a.m. to noon!
(Meet in front of Tower #22 by Dory Deli; Water, bags, hand sanitizer and sunscreen will be provided.)
Contact Andrea Burgos at aburgos@ocbigs.org to sign up!

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Volunteer

Volunteering is one of the best ways to teach kindness as it offers a first-hand look at how your actions affect others. Whether you volunteer at a hospital, senior center or an animal shelter, find an organization or cause that resonates with your mentee; he or she will feel more engaged in the project or activity.

High school-age Littles can also become mentors through the Big Brothers Big Sisters High School Bigs program. They’ll be matched with an elementary school student and meet once a week after school in a group setting with other matches. For more information, contact Cristal Ochoa at cochoa@ocbigs.org.
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Create Your Own Kindness Project

Once your mentee understands why he or she should treat others with kindness, challenge him or her to come up with their own kindness project—with your help, of course. They could share stories about kindness, write a poem or story or come up with their own ways to get involved in the community.

Remember, even little acts of kindness can make a big difference. There are countless ways to spread kindness, it just takes willingness and creativity.[/fwp-anim-text][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]

Maile Proctor is a full-time blogger and content editor. She writes on fitness and health, lifestyle and family, advice, how-to and more. Maile earned her bachelor’s in broadcast journalism from Chapman University.

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