Think it Through: YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE KIND OR COLD-HEARTED
What’s inside...
Think it Through is a two-in-one book for children ages 5-10 that explores how the choices we make impact our feelings and the world around us. Through the story of two brothers, Jett and Tex, and their day-to-day decision-making with guidance from their mom, children will learn about the consequences of their choices. The book highlights how self-talk can help in thinking through situations, and how choosing kindness can lead to a fulfilling and joyful heart.
Age
5-10
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you feel when someone is kind to you?
Can you think of a time when you had to choose between being kind or cold-hearted? What did you choose and why?
Why do you think it is important to be kind?
How can small acts of kindness change someone's day?
What are some ways you can show kindness to others every day?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use personal stories to illustrate the impact of kindness and unkindness, sharing experiences where you or someone you know had to make a choice.
Encourage your child to relate the book's scenarios to their own lives, prompting them to think about how they would act in similar situations.
Praise your child for past kind behaviors to reinforce the importance of these actions.
Discuss the feelings of characters in the book after acts of kindness or cold-heartedness to develop empathy.
Create a 'kindness challenge' where each day, you and your child do one random act of kindness and talk about the experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The story showcases characters facing choices between kindness and indifference, highlighting the impact of their decisions on others.
Real-World Application: Children learn to consider how their actions and words make others feel, promoting empathy in their interactions with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: Each character’s choice in the book leads to different outcomes, teaching children that their actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children think twice before acting and encourage them to make positive choices that benefit themselves and others.
Example Lesson: The Power of Kindness
Explanation: The book illustrates how acts of kindness can transform situations and spread positivity.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to practice small acts of kindness at home, in school, and in their community, fostering a more caring environment.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Characters in the story are presented with the choice to take responsibility for their actions or blame others.
Real-World Application: This teaches children about accountability and helps them understand the importance of owning up to their mistakes and learning from them.
Example Lesson: Respect for Others
Explanation: Throughout the book, respectful behavior towards others is portrayed as a choice that characters need to make.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of respecting differences and treating everyone with dignity, which is crucial in a diverse society.