Celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week & Fostering Empathy

Random Acts of Kindness Week, observed in 2025 from February 14–20, is a global celebration dedicated to spreading positivity and compassion through simple, selfless acts. This week serves as a powerful reminder that even the smallest gestures—like a smile, a kind note, or holding the door open—can create a ripple effect, uplifting individuals and strengthening communities. For educators, especially in special education, it’s a unique opportunity to teach and model empathy, helping students understand the value of kindness in everyday life.

Building Empathy Through Kindness Activities
Fostering empathy begins with intentional classroom activities that help students see the world from others’ perspectives. Story time featuring books about kindness and inclusion, such as “Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed” or “The Invisible Boy,” allows children to experience different emotions and situations, nurturing their ability to empathize. Role-playing or journaling about how it feels to receive or give kindness can deepen these lessons, making empathy a lived experience rather than just a concept.

Hands-On and Visual Approaches
Visual and interactive activities are especially impactful for neurodiverse learners. Creating a kindness chain or kindness wall—where students add paper links or sticky notes for each act of kindness—provides a tangible, growing symbol of the positive actions happening in the classroom. Kindness jars, where students write down kind acts they plan to do or have witnessed, reinforce the idea that kindness is both intentional and celebrated. These visual reminders help all students, including those with communication or processing differences, participate and feel proud of their contributions.

Kindness Challenges and Thematic Days
Organizing a kindness challenge or daily kindness themes can keep the momentum going all week. Ideas include “Make a Difference Monday,” “Thank a Teacher Tuesday,” and “Friendship Friday,” each with its own simple acts, like giving compliments, writing thank-you notes, or helping a peer. Pairing students as “Kindness Pals” encourages them to notice and meet each other’s needs, fostering both empathy and new friendships.

Modeling and Recognizing Kindness
Teachers and staff play a crucial role by modeling kind behaviors and recognizing students “caught being kind” with shoutouts, small rewards, or special privileges. These acknowledgments reinforce positive behavior and show that kindness is valued. Encouraging students to reflect on how their actions made others feel helps build emotional intelligence and a deeper understanding of empathy.

Extending Kindness Beyond the Classroom
Random Acts of Kindness Week is also a chance to connect with the wider community. Volunteering, writing notes to community helpers, or organizing a school-wide kindness assembly can amplify the impact and show students that their actions matter beyond school walls. Involving families by sending home kindness calendars or inviting them to share stories of kindness helps reinforce these values at home.

By weaving kindness and empathy into daily routines, lessons, and celebrations, educators can help students develop the social and emotional skills they need to thrive. Random Acts of Kindness Week is a joyful starting point, but its lessons can—and should—last all year long.