Composition Book: Make Kindness Your Default
What’s inside...
The Composition Book: Make Kindness Your Default by Kara McMahon is a guidebook that promotes kindness and empathy in everyday life. It provides practical tips and exercises to help readers develop a kindness mindset and shows the positive impact kindness can have on individuals and communities. Through relatable stories and advice, the book encourages making kindness a default response and inspires a more caring world.
Age
13-18
Length
202 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What does 'kindness' mean to you after reading this book?
Can you share a time when someone was kind to you? How did it make you feel?
Why do you think kindness is important in our daily lives?
How can we show kindness to people we don't know very well?
What are some ways you can make kindness your default every day?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions and thoughts about kindness by relating it to their own experiences.
Use examples from the book to highlight moments where kindness made a difference, and discuss similar real-life situations.
Create a 'kindness challenge' where you both commit to an act of kindness every day, and discuss the outcomes each evening.
As your child talks about kindness, listen actively, validate their feelings, and share your perspectives to deepen the discussion.
Suggest drawing or writing a short story together about a kind act and its positive impact, mirroring the themes of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The protagonist of the story demonstrates empathy by listening to and helping their peers, which transforms conflicts into friendships.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being more attentive and compassionate towards their classmates, helping create a supportive school environment.
Example Lesson: Importance of Kindness
Explanation: Throughout the book, acts of kindness, whether small or significant, lead to positive outcomes, teaching children the power of good deeds.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice random acts of kindness at home or in school, like sharing a toy or helping in household chores, nurturing a habit of generosity.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Characters in the book are given tasks which they must handle responsibly, showing the importance of accountability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take responsibility for their actions and tasks, such as completing homework on time or taking care of a pet.
Example Lesson: Respect for Others
Explanation: The narrative encourages respecting others' differences and opinions, which is a stepping stone for building strong, diverse communities.
Real-World Application: By respecting peers' and adults’ viewpoints and cultural backgrounds, children can foster an inclusive atmosphere wherever they go.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Characters face challenges but learn to persevere, a key theme demonstrating that persistence is crucial for overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to not give up easily, whether it's during academic challenges or while learning a new skill.