Inspired by a call made by the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, Many preschools introduced a “Kindness Curriculum” in their establishments.. ¿What is it about??
By Camila Londono
January 11, 2018
In a New York Times article, Author Richard Schiffman talks about a “kindness” school program” inspired by a call made by the Dalai Lama to take contemplative practice out of the religious context and take it to a more everyday and useful level for people's lives. Based on this, many preschools –mainly in the United States–, They are trying to teach something that was not always in the academic curriculum: kindness. This is part of the Kindness Curriculum.” (Kindness Curriculum), developed by the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin, in which children are introduced to a mix of sensory play, songs and stories that are designed to help them focus more on their emotions.
preschool 212 located in an immigrant neighborhood of New York, was one of the first to introduce this “Kindness Curriculum”.
Before this, They had also been the first to apply practices such as yoga in their classrooms.. It seemed natural then that they would welcome this new proposal that includes, among other things, the practice of mindfulness. ¿What have been the results in this and other schools that have adopted this curriculum?? Carin Ellis, school director assures The New York Times that this has been ideal for children to learn to manage stress and resolve interpersonal conflicts. “If children can take a moment to breathe, can avoid acting against others.", Ellis adds to the American media.
The investigation
It is not only the call of the Dalai Lama that has made more education professionals feel attracted to this topic. As explained in the same medium, an investigation led by the clinical psychologist Lisa Flook evidence that children who have received training in kindness, are more altruistic in tests that measure their ability or willingness to share with others. She further , It also strengthens children's ability to focus and modestly boost their academic performance.. Flook says that “children who have positive relationships with their peers and teachers, “They are better at school.”.
another study who monitored the development of children from kindergarten to adulthood, found that people with social skills, tended to be more successful in their adult lives, contrary to those who had more difficulties when relating to others.
A global movement inspired by Buddhism
The Kindness Curriculum” is part of a growing global movement that wants schools to teach children, emotional intelligence. Those who defend this vision assure that it is key that teachers do not focus solely on intellectual learning., thereby ignoring the development of emotional skills that allow children to flourish.
Of course, There are those who question whether personality traits like kindness can be taught.. Faced with this, he Dr. Richard Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds assures that the ancient wisdom of Buddhism can provide some keys to this. It was Davidson who was inspired by the Dalai Lama's call to apply useful practices to improve people's lives.. ¿What kind of practices? Buddhist monks observe their body sensations and emotions to create a sense of calm that encourages compassion. and this was precisely what Davidson wanted to establish at the base of children's learning.
ElDr. Davidson, ensures that the period between 4 and it 7 years is critical in development as the brain begins to open to new information and psychological habits. In that sense, He says, It is key to prioritize teaching traits such as kindness, But it is also essential to reinforce this learning as children grow.. Even the teachers themselves should do the same observation exercise that Buddhism proposes.; only then will the effect be truly effective. “Teachers need to work on themselves. They need to become examples of the goodness they are trying to teach.”, that, according to the school teacher 212, Danielle Mahoney-Kertes, is the key to success.
Fuentes: Can Kindness Be Taught?, The New York Times. /Dalai Lama Inspires Emphasis on Kindness in Schools, KQED.
