Kindness 101 is an educational program aimed at teaching children the importance of kindness and character development through stories featured in CBS News’ “On the Road” series. The program, developed in partnership with the nonprofit “Character Counts!” at Drake University in Iowa, provides free lesson plans for teachers. Neil Lahammer, a third-grade teacher at Burnside Elementary in Red Wing, Minnesota, is among over 100,000 educators utilizing Kindness 101. He emphasizes the positive impact of the program on his students, who engage in activities like food drives and spreading kindness through a Kindness Club he initiated. For his efforts, Lahammer was named the inaugural Kindness 101 National Teacher of the Year in April, an award that will be given annually.
Why It Matters
The initiative highlights an increasing recognition of the role social-emotional learning plays in education. Studies have shown that teaching empathy and kindness can lead to improved classroom environments and better academic outcomes. Programs like Kindness 101 aim to address the emotional and social development of children, complementing traditional academic subjects. With more than 100,000 teachers participating, the widespread adoption of kindness education reflects a shift towards holistic approaches in schools, recognizing the importance of character alongside academic achievement.
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