It can be challenging to guide children into understanding how to define and integrate the character-building value of KINDNESS.  Kindness is one  of those broad general words like “nice.”  Through the creative arts, family and teacher role modeling as well as choices in specific school curriculum,  we can teach the true meaning of kindness.  We can encourage kindness towards one self and with each other within every environment. We can encourage self-motivated “random acts of kindness” in all ages. With ourselves as role models, by using specific books, poetry, storytelling, creative writing, meaningful song choices, rhythmic rap, role play, verbal encouragement and awareness/consciousness teaching,       children will learn to live the true meaning of the word, kindness.  My concert, “Peace Begins with You and Me” teaches this specific value, and I      look forward to sharing my meaningful program with you in the near future.

“Respect” in my generation often meant being unseen, unheard, and stifling hurt or angry feelings.   Montessori schools have a unique and positive approach towards respectful communication and conflict-resolution that begins in early childhood.  The Peace Rose is integrated into every day classroom life of conflict and resolution.  Children who are experiencing conflict are encouraged to face one another, and the child holding the peace rose shares feelings.  The other child listens with full attention, and feeds back what they heard.  When the “peace rose child”  feels heard and understood, it is time to give the other child a turn.  In this way, active listening and I messages are taking place, respect and           conflict resolution are evolving, verbal skills are blossoming, and children are taught how to create a world of RESPECT for themselves and each     other.  Native American tradition has the talking stick as a way of teaching respectful communication and listening.  We can integrate these             approaches into our lives and the lives of the children.  Teaching respect IS possible and begins early.  Bullying and by-stander silence will no  longer be an unsolvable issue if a child learns early the effects of words and actions, and learns to listen and express respectfully.   I would love to  be part of your approach towards reinforcing the value of respect though my “Peace Begins with You and Me” Concerts, my character-building CD’s or by having older children perform my school musical play.  Let’s use conflict as teachable moments for ourselves and for teaching children.  Here are helpful videos, websites and books that can add to your “teaching respect” toolbox.

Cheryl Melody Children’s Award-Winning CDs  www.cherylmelody.com

Tolerance seems like such an impatient word.  Why wouldn’t we be “tolerant?”  Even the most broadminded person often is aware of internal prejudices, stereotypical judgments and bias.  We may have been raised a certain way or absorbed the bias as we were growing.  I believe that step one is to be aware and truthful with ourselves each time we notice a thought or feeling that indicates intolerance, and then teach children to continue to be open, loving, accepting and joyfully curious and respectful of all others who are different from us.  Teaching children tolerance early in life prevents harassment, bullying, by-stander silence, teasing and gossiping later on.  Let’s teach children that differences are interesting to discover and share with one another, and also emphasize that we are all the same…everyone breathes, bleeds, cries, smiles and has feelings in the same way…let’s celebrate our diversity and our similarities by example, as well as through stories and songs that emphasize acceptance, love and tolerance.  My “Peace Begins with Me” Concerts reinforce the value of tolerance within a “one planet” philosophy, and I look forward to sharing my teaching concert with you. This concert is available for preschool, elementary school, intergenerational and for adult gatherings. 

Cheryl Melody   Award-Winning Performing artist for children and adults  www.cherylmelody.com