Getting on Santa's "Nice" List.

• Author: Duffy, Beth Dessen
• Position: Teaching kindness to children

KINDNESS is defined as "the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate." We certainly live in a world that could use more kindness, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.

"One person can make a difference and everyone should try," said Pres. John F. Kennedy more than a half-century ago--and this thought should be a source of continual inspiration. Each day, each of us makes choices--let us strive to make the best ones, and let those include kindness.

Changing our world for the better through kindness starts with children. Research has shown that they are hardwired to be kind but, to be sustained over time, studies also tell us that kindness must be modeled, encouraged, and practiced. Since the start of the pandemic, increased responsibilities have been placed on teachers and parents, and the importance of prioritizing the teaching of kindness never has been more important.

For starters, walk the walk. Practice kindness by doing kind acts. Drop off groceries for a sick friend; call someone who is lonely; donate to the local food pantry. Get your children involved. Ask them how they would like to help out. Let them suggest what to include in a get-well basket or what selections you should bring to the food pantry. When you make these deliveries, bring the kids along.

Try to complete small and large acts of kindness: empty the dishwasher when it is not your turn; share even if you would rather not; gather clothing and toys to donate.

Notes David Fryburg, founder of the Envision Kindness blog: "We are what we see in daily life." This does not mean we ignore the negative things occurring around us, but that we have to "nourish our souls" with good things to help "motivate us to take action and make things better."

It is important to talk the talk as well. Practice kindness by speaking kindly. Speak kindly to a delivery person; respond kindly even when you are tired or when someone makes a mistake. Children watch and learn from the way adults treat others and handle different situations.

Also be sure to verbalize to children that leading a happy life stems from more than...