Share tips on how to raise a kind child to win £50 of John Lewis vouchers and copies of Wonder by RJ Palacio

[RachelMumsnet]

When RJ Palacio's Wonder first hit bookshelves in 2013, it was featured as Mumsnet children's book of the month and became an instant classic.

So what is it that makes this title so special? As one Mumsnetter aptly put it: "This is a beautiful book - funny and heartwarming with a lesson we all need to remember: be kind". The story teaches children about friendship, kindness, bullying and being different, an issue that becomes increasingly important as children hit secondary school and follow their friends' example, rather than their parents'.

We're asking you to share your tips on how parents can instill values of kindness in their children. Post up your tips before 12th June, which is antibullyingpro.com Kindness Day 2015, and you'll be entered into a draw to win £50 vouchers for John Lewis. 5 runners-up will also receive copies of Wonder, plus a copy of 365 days of Wonder, a book of collected words of wisdom.

RJ Palacio has also written three short stories from different characters whose voices we didn't hear in Wonder - Julian, Auggie's school bully; Christopher, Auggie's oldest friend; and Charlotte, who sees Auggie's story unfold as a bystander. Head to Amazon or iBooks to check them out.

to find out more about Wonder.

This competition is now closed. Winners will be contacted shortly.

Leading by example, so always saying please and thank you, sharing things with them.
Praising them when I see good manners such as sharing toys, letting people walk past etc.
Highlighting how it makes others feel when she is unkind.

I ask my DC to put themselves in others shoes quite often.

How would you feel if nobody played with you in school?

How can we make XX feel better about this?

What can we do for XX?

It seems to be working, as they are lovely little people.

I try to teach by example as I have learnt that children follow the behavior that they see growing up. Basically treating people how they want o be treated and being available to discuss anything with them.

Lead by example. Small things are important here too - thanking people who hold open a door, respecting others for their work and so on.
Also expose them to all sorts of people, ways, modes of being in the world, so they do not become arrogant about their own predilections.

Definitely bu example. My dd isnt great at empathy and needs actual examples of how to be kind - its kind to share, x would be happy if you play with him, it would be kind to fetch your little sisters toy because she is upset etc. Just asking her to 'be kind' is a bit theoretical.

By treating them as people in their own rights, rather than objects/things to be bullied and forced into thinking and doing what you think is right. By having conversations with them, rather than talking/shouting/lecturing at them. Sharing with them, admitting when you are in the wrong, saying please and thank you to them, praising them when they have done something right/good .....Lead by example as many posters have said before me.

Lead by example. Praise kindness.
Take time to listen to DDs feelings and talk through them with her. Remind her that others have feelings too.

My oldest dd1 is incredibly kind, I think (she's naturally a much kinder person than I am!). I'm not sure it's something you can teach very well. But:

Talk through feelings with them, especially thinking about how it might feel to be the other person in a dispute. Talk about why some other people might not be very kind. and what they can do about it.
Be positive about their kind behaviour and reward it - we used to give a small prize every time someone spontaneously commented on their good behaviour.
Don't tolerate nastiness/hints of bullying etc for a moment.
Encourage them not to leave people out (for us this usually translates into having big birthday parties that expand as they remember more people who might feel left out).