Kindness Is a Learned Skill
Kindness is something we hope our children grow into—but for young children, it’s a skill they are still learning, especially at home with siblings.
Sharing attention, toys, space, and time doesn’t always come easily. Big feelings often show up first: frustration, jealousy, impatience. And kindness takes shape there—not in perfect moments, but in everyday ones.
Siblings as the First Teachers of Empathy
The relationships children form with their siblings are some of the first settings where they can practice and learn empathy. When a child learns how their words or actions affect a brother or sister, they begin to understand that kindness is more than a rule—it’s a choice. One that takes thought, pause, and sometimes guidance from a caring adult.
Talking About Feelings Builds Awareness
Talking about feelings plays an important role. Asking questions like How did that make your sibling feel? Or… How did you feel afterward? Helps children connect behavior with emotion. Over time, these conversations build awareness and compassion.
How Stories Help Children Learn Kindness
Stories can help with this learning. When children see familiar situations reflected in a book—feeling annoyed, acting unkind, making a better choice—they gain language for their own experiences. Stories create a safe space to explore mistakes and growth without shame.
Kindness Grows Through Everyday Practice
Teaching kindness doesn’t require perfection. It happens in repetition, in gentle correction, and in modeling patience ourselves. Each small moment becomes part of how children learn to treat others with care.
Where Kindness Takes Root
Sibling relationships may be challenging at times, but they are also rich ground for growth. With support, conversation, and grace, they can become one of the earliest places where kindness takes root.
Sometimes the simplest moments—reading together, talking before bedtime, or reflecting on the day—become the most meaningful opportunities to nurture kindness in young hearts.
If you’re looking for a gentle story to read together, Blair Bunny and the Little Sister reflects many of the small moments families experience as young children learn kindness and empathy—especially within sibling relationships.
SPS Books & Journals 