by Shae Marcus

It’s easy to underestimate the power of small, everyday kindness—a smile in the hallway, holding a door open or saying “thank you” when someone least expects it. Yet these simple gestures carry remarkable power, creating waves of positivity that travel far beyond the moment.

For kids and teens, understanding kindness as a superpower—something that can shift moods, strengthen friendships, and even improve health—can be life-changing. Research from Oxford University’s Department of Experimental Psychology found that performing small acts of kindness for just seven days led to significant increases in happiness and social connectedness. The best part is those benefits didn’t just stop with the giver—they spread. Witnessing kindness inspires others to pay it forward, creating what psychologists call a “positive feedback loop.”

Kindness Starts Small

In a world where young people often feel pressure to compete, compare and “stand out”, kindness helps them reconnect with what truly matters—compassion, empathy and belonging. Encouraging children to notice opportunities to help—whether it’s sharing lunch with someone that forgot theirs or sitting with a new student—helps them develop emotional intelligence and social confidence.

Teachers often report that classrooms at which kindness and cooperation are emphasized have less bullying and greater student engagement. It’s not just about being “nice”, but about being aware—recognizing when someone needs support, encouragement or simply a listening ear.

The Science Behind the Smile

Acts of kindness don’t just make others feel good—they have measurable physical and psychological benefits. Studies from the University of British Columbia show that students that perform regular kind acts experience reductions in anxiety and depression. When we’re kind, our brains release oxytocin, the “love hormone”, along with serotonin and dopamine—the same chemicals responsible for feelings of happiness and calm. It’s a natural, feel-good chain reaction that costs nothing, but creates everything.

Ways Families Can Spark the Ripple

Parents can model kindness by showing appreciation—for servers at restaurants, for neighbors that lend a hand or for one another at home. Create a “kindness jar” where each family member adds a note when they do or witness a kind act. At the end of the week, read them together. It’s a fun way to visualize how even small moments accumulate into something powerful.

For older kids and teens, kindness can take many forms: sending a positive message to a friend, volunteering at an animal shelter or mentoring a younger student. Even digital kindness—leaving uplifting comments or sharing encouraging posts—matters more than ever in today’s online world.

The Takeaway

The beauty of kindness lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t require money, perfection or grand gestures—just intention. When we teach our children that kindness is both strength and choice, we equip them with a lifelong tool for connection and happiness.

This month, as gratitude takes center stage, let’s also celebrate kindness—the quiet force that reminds us we’re all connected, one small act at a time.

Shae Marcus is the publisher of the Natural Awakenings South Jersey and Philadelphia editions. She’s grateful for coffee that doesn’t go cold, good friends that text back and every act of kindness that keeps the world a little warmer.

SIDEBAR

The 7-Day Family Kindness Challenge

Make kindness a family affair this month. Try this fun one-week challenge and see how many hearts can be touched:

Day 1: Write a thank-you note to someone that deserves a smile.

Day 2: Do a secret act of kindness—no one needs to know who it was from.

Day 3: Pick up litter in the neighborhood or a local park.

Day 4: Say something kind to yourself in the mirror.

Day 5: Donate a toy, book or clothing item to a local charity.

Day 6: Tell a teacher, coach or mentor how they’ve made a difference.

Day 7: Cook or bake something as a family to share with a neighbor or friend.

At the end of the week, talk about how it felt—and maybe keep the challenge going. After all, kindness isn’t just an action—it’s a habit worth keeping.