Boosting Literacy Through Kindness
Hi, Kind Readers!
I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed the varied content across the blogs. The contributors to The Kind Voice are extraordinarily talented, bringing great value and insights through their experiences. If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to read their posts.
One of the golden rules we’re taught as children is to treat others the way we want to be treated. I still believe in this wholeheartedly. We have to put out into the world what we want to receive. I always try to assume positive intent, treat everyone kindly and fairly, and share kind words when I see something admirable in someone—or even just offer a smile. I genuinely try to lead with kindness.
Kindness is not a weakness; in fact, it takes real courage to lift someone else up. We’re naturally wired with self-doubt, negative self-talk, and often operate from a place of worry and fear. When someone is kind, they become a risk-taker, choosing to uplift others despite what might be happening in their own world or mind.
I think about our students—today’s generation, Gen Z/Alpha—and how they’re constantly on their devices, consuming content all day, every day. According to 2024 research from Later’s research team, 73% of Gen Z spend more than three hours daily on social platforms.
Instagram: 71% use it at least once a day, with 62% engaging several times daily.
TikTok: 73% of Gen Z use “the clock app” daily, making it the go-to platform for viral trends and entertainment.
YouTube: With 65% engaging with YouTube content daily, this platform is still a major source of tutorials, product reviews, and entertainment.
Recently, I was part of a discussion about technology. While it’s caused significant mental distress and anxiety for many, it has also created opportunities and experiences that didn’t exist before. I agree with that duality. We are tasked with teaching individuals how to use technology responsibly, process the content they consume, and become reflective, mindful individuals who are kind to themselves and others.
I’ve been diving into recent research around literacy, and I found it fascinating that the author pointed out: learning to read and write isn’t just a mental process, but one influenced by students’ feelings, experiences, relationships, and overall well-being. When students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged. This takes me back to Maslow's hierarchy of needs—our foundational needs must be met. We must feel safe and know that we belong before we can tackle complex situations, embrace failure, or face fears. It’s essential to know that someone cares about us and that we are in a trusting, safe space to take risks.
Personal Career Moment with Kindness
I remember a time in my career when I served as a campus assistant principal. I had been moved to this campus after Labor Day, and I quickly realized that the school was struggling with more than its fair share of challenges. Within the first four weeks of the school year, there were already triple-digit suspensions, and the culture seemed to focus more on finding problems than celebrating successes. The atmosphere was tense, with many of the staff and students locked in a cycle of negative reinforcement.
Being the thematic person that I am, I decided to shake things up a bit by launching a “7th Grade Student of the Week” program. Each week, teachers would nominate students who had shown improvement, dedication, or simply needed recognition. The winners would receive a certificate, a $7 gift card from a local gas station (keeping with the theme: $7 for 7th grade), and I would make a big deal of announcing their name each Friday. It was my small way of shifting the focus from punishment to positivity.
Then came Derek. Derek was a regular in my office—by regular, I mean two to three times a day. His behavior was disruptive, and he seemed to struggle academically. His mom and I became texting best friends because of how often we had to communicate. Derek wasn’t exactly the kind of student anyone would expect to win “Student of the Week,” but one week, to my surprise, his teachers nominated him.
That Friday, I went to the gym for the weekly announcement. When I called Derek’s name, I remember the room falling completely silent. He stared at me, stunned, and said, “No way in hell, Culver.” I laughed, walked over to him, and reassured him that he had indeed won. We took a picture together, and I sent it to his mom. She responded with a kind, affirming message, thanking me for recognizing her son.
That day marked a turning point—not just for Derek, but for the entire school. His behavior improved, his academic performance got better, and he became less of a “frequent flyer” to my office (I joked that he was accumulating fewer air miles). Derek’s transformation was a testament to the power of kindness, belief, and belonging. By giving him a moment of recognition, we gave him something even more important—a sense of worth, empathy, and compassion. That’s the power of kindness.
The Role of Kindness in Literacy Development
Research, such as the one highlighted, emphasizes that emotional and social well-being are foundational to learning. When students are emotionally supported, they engage more deeply in the learning process. As the research notes, effective literacy education is not just about reading and writing skills but is also deeply tied to emotional and relational experiences.
Students who feel safe, understood, and appreciated are more likely to be active learners. This is where kindness plays a significant role. Teachers who create an environment where students are treated with empathy and respect foster higher levels of engagement and motivation.
Developing Skills Through Kindness
This foundation isn’t just necessary for students or learners—it’s crucial for everyone. Today’s tech-driven generation struggles to have natural conversations, understand their emotions, or communicate effectively. We must embed ‘teachable moments’ into every interaction we have with Gen Z/Gen A, helping them develop:
Self-Awareness: Understand their strengths and weaknesses, and foster a growth mindset.
Self-Management: Learn to manage emotions, ask for help, and practice strategies like breathing exercises to reset.
Empathy: Encourage individuals to walk in someone else’s shoes—not just to say “I’m sorry,” but to relate to what others are experiencing.
Relationship Skills: Build connections by listening and effectively communicating ideas.
Decision-Making: Promote thoughtful, critical decision-making and analysis of varied viewpoints.
Embedding Kindness into Classroom Content
There is immense power in teaching mindfulness, gratitude, compassion, empathy, and understanding to Gen Z/Gen A—not in isolation, but woven into content areas, workplaces, and communities. These aren’t just good ideas; they form the foundation of living a life of understanding and kindness.
English Language Arts: Have students explore the emotions and thoughts of characters. How might changing a character’s perspective alter the outcome? Encourage students to step into the shoes of others and reflect on different viewpoints.
Social Studies: Similar to ELA, students can rewrite historical events with new perspectives. What were the emotional and intellectual challenges faced during those times?
Science: Encourage partner discussions and reflection during labs. What did students learn? What didn’t they understand? How can they be grateful for the process?
Math: Foster collaboration and reflection. What new insights were gained? How can students apply their learning to real-world problems?
Electives: Emphasize collaboration, reflection, and gratitude in learning. What new skills are they developing, and how do these tie into their personal growth?
We really should lead with kindness—whether in the classroom, the workplace, or in our communities.
So, I challenge you to reflect on how you can incorporate these principles into your daily life.
Can you commit to one act of kindness a day?
Can you be more empathetic with those around you? Let’s create a ripple effect of positive change, starting with ourselves.
For educators, how will you embed these kindness practices into your lessons?
For leaders, how will you foster a culture of kindness and empathy in your teams?
Share your thoughts, stories, and commitments with me—let's build this together.
We don’t know everyone’s story or what they’ve been through before our interaction, nor do we know what will happen afterward. So, it’s essential to stay present and fully aware of what’s happening around us. If you see someone, offer a smile. If you notice something kind, say it out loud. If someone needs help, offer it. These foundational skills were taught to me as a child, and while they seem to have shifted over the years, they are more relevant now than ever.
Kindness not only benefits us and others—it enhances our ability to think critically and engage deeply with reading. By embedding these critical skills into content areas, we not only engage students more deeply but also equip them with essential life skills—kindness, empathy, self-awareness, and resilience—that will serve them well beyond their education. Together, we can shape kind, successful, and positively contributing members of society.
Always remember to smile. Thank you for being a light in this world and for spreading kindness wherever you go. I am grateful for you.
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