Teach love is a theme that needs to be in today’s schools. The news today contains reports on hate crimes and hateful language from politicians. Therefore, many parents look toward schools to help students learn to love and see beyond the hate on the news and social media. So, schools are teaching students how to be kind to others.  To look beyond the hate, parents and teachers must model love and kindness. They must model what is meant to teach love.  Simply, it’s about patience, kindness, and respectfulness.  In addition, both parents and teachers must model selflessness in language and interaction.

Teach Love – Simple Steps

Through a love of learning  and the respect of the content taught in schools, students understand pressing problems.  Also, they begin to understand the goodness in others. Therefore, they can answer questions that make a positive difference in society. In the classroom or at home, parents and teachers can use motivation techniques to develop kindness and a create a healthy climate. Teach love by showing a love for learning.

•   Have a ‘kindness jar’.  Use candy, coins, a small toy, etc. to place in the jar when kindness is observed. Plan an activity after the jar is full.

•   Use circle time or family dinner time to give each other a complement.  To do this, simply say a positive remark to another.

•   Also, teamwork builds togetherness.  Use classroom time or family time to do a chore or an activity together as a team.

•   Write a positive anonymous note to a person and place on desk, locker, cubby, or in the lunchbox.

•   Pay close attention to a student’s or a child’s moods. Know to when to use a kind word. Discuss problems and possible solutions.

•   Also, recognize a person’s talent or gift and nurture it.  More importantly, ask what interests them.

Children do not want remembered for their failures. They want people to see their good deeds and kindness. Help students to make a positive impact on someone.  In doing this, they have the opportunity to define their own future.

The classroom must be a safe place for positive and loving interactions. Therefore, teaching love must happen everyday.