Share your tips for raising a kind child with the new Wonder film: chance to win £300 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

The team behind the new Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay movie, Wonder, would love to hear your top tips for raising a kind child. The film really showcases how - as one MNer who has seen the film - says “a little bit more kindness in the world would be no bad thing”. Another Mumsnetter who saw a preview screening said “the issues raised are really important for all of us to [be] reminded of. Standing up to things that are wrong (even when it makes us unpopular), and always being kind - how many of us always live up to that?” here

Here's the synopsis: “starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay and based on the New York Times bestseller, WONDER tells the story of August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to find their compassion and acceptance, Auggie's extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.”

Wonder is rated PG & open NOW

Watch the trailer here:

So how do you encourage your child to be kind to others? Please share your top tips and experiences of kindness from your child...has your child received a reward for kindness, have they gone out of the their way to show kindness to other children or have they had a period of not being kind but have come through it and learnt how important kindness is.

Add your comment to this thread and you will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £300 voucher for the store of choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T and Cs apply

WONDER stars ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER JULIA ROBERTS (Eat Pray Love), ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE OWEN WILSON (Midnight in Paris), JACOB TREMBLAY (Room), MANDY PATINKIN (‘Homeland’)and IZABELA VIDOVIC (Homefront). Directed by STEPHEN CHBOSKY (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) the screenplay is written by STEPHEN CHBOSKY (Beauty and the Beast) and STEVEN CONRAD (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) and JACK THORNE (‘This is England ’90’) based on the New York Times bestseller WONDER by R.J PALACIO

The best way to teach kindness is to lead by example and as parents show kindness and empathy.

Reward good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour,

My son is nearly 3, so is becoming more and more aware of kindness and being unkind.
We've always encouraged him to share, taking turns during games and offering/sharing food, treats etc.
After a brief terrible-twos phase of lashing out, he knows about being gentle towards people and will often stroke my hair and say 'look, nice and gentle'.
Kind behaviour is praised and highlighted any nastiness is quickly addressed. Having a little one also encourages me to model kindness more because we should be setting the example and not having a hypocritial 'do as I say, not as I do' attitude.

My son is naturally kind and caring, my daughter needs a bit of help and so we point out to her that she should treat others how she would like to be treated and talked about how words can be very powerful for both positive and negative reasons.

My son is only 21 months but we talk about being kind to his cuddly toys and the dog, and not doing unkind things to them as it makes them sad.

I really believe that owning pets can also teach kindness & compassion, we have a fair few animals, and it has definitely made my 2 really understand empathy from a young age :) And obviously leading by example xxx

Modelling kindness, and pointing out any kind behaviour!

Be kind and compassionate yourself - children learn everything from their parents

We talk about everything that has happened in the day, and then where needed we talk about what could have happened differently if we had reacted differently. I also try to get the boys to see things from other peoples point of view all the time too, to encourage their thoughts about other peoples feelings.

To be kind to others no one is the same. A smile is sometimes better than words.

Setting an example is the most important thing. Children learn from observation and it sets in their psyche. My youngest has stepped in when he thinks that children are being unkind to others. He has a great sense of right and wrong with regard to how you treat people.

The kids have seen at home with their siblings that if they're not kind to each other it ultimately impacts on them. I also try and turn the scenario around to make them see how they would feel if someone was unkind to them .Baring tiredness, illness etc.... my kids tend to be quite kind.

I lead by example plain and simple we don't judge anyone and accept peoples differences

I always try to lead by example and of course praise and encourage anything kind and thoughtful behaviour.

I always tell dd6 to treat people the way she would like them to treat her

I always tell dd6 to treat people the way she would like them to treat her

I think the key to kindness is teaching children empathy. Getting children to think about how they would feel if someone was kind to them can show them why we are kind to other people, and not just doing kind acts because they’ve been told to.

Point out kindness and kind acts. Lead by example.

by being kind myself and showing them what kindness looks like

My mantra is always treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, any opportunity I have this is repeated since a very early age.

helping to look after the elderly neighbours

I have encouraged both of my children to become volunteers for a local charity for children with special needs. It's taught them so much over the last couple of years, and I couldn't be more proud of them.

I have a small notebook where I write down anything kind that one of my children does.

Every 30 points the children collectively earn get a small treat...lunch out or similar.

They can't ask for points and there is no specifics on what earns a point. It is literally any nice or kind behaviour I notice.

In school holidays we read out what kind behaviour I have noticed that day, in the evening.

I hope this encourages kind behaviour towards each other and others. Certainly encourages more positive behaviour during school holidays.

I think children learn kindness from those around them. I always praise them for their kindness to each other and reward them for being helpful. Where I've seen unkind behaviour, I always ask them to think about how they would feel if someone did that to them.

One of my children has no empathy and finds ir hard to be kind in some situations. We try and point out kindness and I quote a lot of disney films at her!