5 Apps to Promote Kindness in the Classroom
by Jessica Thiefels
Science shows that humans are wired for kindness and our capacity grows through practice. Not to mention, being kind improves self-esteem, prevents bullying, and decreases stress and depression among school-aged children. As a teacher with technology at your disposal, you have an opportunity to teach your students the skills they need to be kinder in this world. Use these five apps to instill respect, empathy, fairness and trustworthiness in every student.
Toca Pet Doctor
In addition to empathy and kindness, Toca Pet Doctor teaches responsibility, which is critical to being kind: “Being responsible is a key to children’s success both in school and in the larger world when they grow up. When they learn to take responsibility for their actions and their commitments, they get things done and people know they can be counted on to meet obligations and promises,” according to The Center for Parenting Education.
With Toca Pet Doctor, children will learn to care for sick or injured animals and get real-time feedback to help them learn how their actions affect others. This easy-to-use, educational app features 15 types of animals for kids to care for and is perfect for students of all ages.
Wee You-Things
Wee You-Things is an interactive, story-based app that teaches kids about diversity and how to embrace and appreciate our differences. The description on their website says, “Wee Society’s newest crew of characters celebrates ‘you-things’—those little and big things that, together, make you special and like no one else in the world.”
The app is good for students ages 3 to 7 and features tips for parents to promote learning and encourage conversations on understanding and empathy.
Peek a Zoo
This interactive, touch-and-point game presents different groups of cartoon animals and challenges kids to decipher different traits, emotions, or behaviors. “Children often struggle not only with understanding their feelings, but also relating to other people’s feelings. These skills are critical for personal well being and building relationships,” says experts at Sandbox Learning.
After practicing with Peek a Zoo, toddlers and preschool-aged children will be able to better recognize social cues that help them respond to someone who is sad or surprised.
Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are
Kindness apps aren’t just for little kids—it’s also important to reinforce these ideas in middle school-aged children. Middle School Confidential 1 is a digital graphic novel based on the award-winning Middle School Confidential series from teen expert and anti-bullying activist Annie Fox, M.Ed.
The app teaches kids to identify complex emotions and promotes tolerance and empathy through a narrative. The digital novel challenges teens and tweens to think about their behavior and feelings when making choices and decisions.
Who Am I? Race Awareness Game
It’s important to start a dialogue about culture and diversity in your classroom. Who Am I? Is a question-and-answer game for students in 1st through 12th grade to learn how people self-identify with their race and culture.
Students will learn that it’s OK to respectfully ask questions about race and ethnicity and how to relate to others, not only in the classroom, but also in real-life situations.
Bring kindness to your classroom with these apps, all of which teach students the many skills that are needed to show kindness to others, including respect, honesty and empathy.
Jessica Thiefels is the editor of Whooo’s Reading and an education blogger, who’s been featured on sites such as PBS, TeachHub and FamilyEducation. When she’s not writing she’s enjoying life in sunny San Diego.
