Kindness Curriculum

Many parents want to teach mindfulness and empathy in early childhood but feel unsure where to start beyond “be nice.” The Kindness Curriculum from the Center for Healthy Minds is one of the clearest, most research-informed PreK–K SEL resources we’ve seen. Developed by scientists and educators at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, it offers a free sequence of simple lessons, stories, and practices to build attention, gratitude, and compassion in 4–6 year olds. We love that activities are short, playful, and concrete—think breathing with stuffed animals, noticing feelings, and practicing kind acts—so they slide easily into circle time or bedtime. It’s a beautiful fit for play-based homeschools, co-ops, and early childhood programs that want to weave emotional skills into everyday routines rather than treating them as “extra.” The materials assume an adult willing to model and participate; if you just hand kids the printouts, much of the impact is lost, but for the price (free) it’s hard to beat. Pro tip: pick one routine spot each day—like snack or cleanup—to repeat a favorite practice so skills actually stick.