Menchaca Early Childhood Center was recognized as a “Kindness Certified School” for the 4th consecutive year for its commitment to making the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time. Students at MECC recently took part in the annual Great Kindness Challenge hosted by Kids for Peace. The program reaches over 19 million students in 115 countries.
Each year students look forward to practicing how easy it is to be kind to others during this week-long event in January. Students shared how rewarding it was to give and receive compliments and encouraged everyone to show kindness all year long. This year, missions and acts were released via the GooseChase app which allowed classes to compete against one another by completing kind acts and submitting pictures or video evidence. The students (and teachers) had a blast! Missions included reading to other classes, smiling at 25 people, creating valentines for veterans, leaving notes around the school, reciting affirmations every morning to start their day, and even being kind to nature by creating a bird feeder.
“Kindness Week just brings a greater awareness as to how powerful kindness can be, what it looks like to be kind, and how even the smallest of actions and words can have the greatest impact on the social and emotional happiness of all human beings. “We shouldn’t have to think about being kind,” PK Counselor and Kindness Ambassador, Dr. Melanie Morgan said. “It should be effortless, automatic, and universal. When kids are presented with the chance to do something good, they want to,” Morgan said. “We have to give them those chances. When they realize how good it makes them feel, it becomes a little bit more natural for them to continue.”
“Our hearts are bursting with joy knowing that so many students are actively creating a brighter, happier, and more positive world for all. Even during the pandemic, students are finding creative ways to spread love, honor classmates, show gratitude, and offer a helping hand,” said Jill McManigal, co-founder and executive director of Kids for Peace. “We are thankful to Menchaca Early Childhood Center for providing this opportunity for their students to practice kindness and we are grateful to their students for demonstrating that kindness matters!”
