Teach Primary Issue 19.5

Do we really need a training manual on how to be kind these days? [ Looks at news, world events, etc. ] Actually, this might be exactly what we need. It does feel rather dispiriting that the concept of spreading kindness seems to have lost out to the idea of attacking, threatening and insulting others as a way of achieving selfish aims. And that’s just our world leaders for you. So, perhaps there is no better time to launch a quest for kindness in the hope that, by the time they have grown up, our current primary school children will have consigned those who live by division to the dustbin of history. Created by Kindness Coach John Magee, The Kindness Quest is primarily an activity book aimed at encouraging school children to develop a kindness habit or become ‘rich in kindness’ as he puts it. While seasoned teachers might not necessarily find any startlingly new revelations in here, it is accessible, well laid out, and packed full of good ideas for activities – not to be sniffed at in a busy classroom, as I’m sure you’ll agree. After a chunky introductory section, which includes user guidance for teachers and parents, it invites the reader to embark on an epic adventure involving ‘six steps to kindness’. You’d have thought that anyone who has ever heard the song The Greatest Love of All would already know where this starts but a wise person recently told me that it is remarkable how few adults still don’t understand the importance of self-care. So, it seems entirely appropriate that the first step is ‘Kindness to yourself’. From there, the adventure moves on to spreading kindness at home, at school, to your friends, to your community and, ultimately, to the planet. In this way, the kindness spreads like ripples from the individual, like ripples from a stone dropped in a pond. Indeed, Magee keeps returning to the idea of ‘spreading the kindness ripple’ – something I’m sure we can all agree with. I wasn’t so sure about the friendship section encouraging the concept of BFFs, which has often seemed more like coercion than friendship from what I have seen, but maybe that’s just me. It seems plenty of young people do still have their BFFs. Overall, though, this is a positive and engaging book, and I did enjoy the inspirational quotes, fun facts and bonus tips. There’s nothing to stop readers working their way through it systematically but, equally, it feels like something to dip in and out of as necessary. For that reason, it could well be a very useful addition to a school’s teaching resources bookshelf. It might also be something for families to have accessible on an as-and-when basis. Of course, writing style will always be a matter of taste. Many will enjoy the upbeat, almost evangelical tone here. Others might find it a bit much. However, there is no doubt that it is packed with good intentions. Will this be seen in some quarters as virtue signalling? Who cares? I think we’ve had enough of lack-of-virtue signallers. They’re the ones who got us into this mess in the first place. Let’s hope we can nurture a new, kinder generation, not just of ordinary people, but also of future leaders. The quest starts here. An engaging activity book aimed at fostering kindness amongst primary school children AT A GLANCE K I NDNESS A step-by-step guide to establishing kindness habits Suitable for use both at school and in the home Includes a wealth of practical activities and ideas Enhanced with inspirational quotes and bonus tips Written by Kindness Coach, John Magee RRP £6.99 bloomsbury.com Lively and engaging Well organised Bursting with ideas Practical and positive Topical and relevant Sends a positive message Ideal for home or school Useful for busy teachers Nurtures empathy ...you want to put young people on a practical path to a kinder, more positive and accepting future. VERD I CT UPGRADE I F . . . REVIEWED BY: MIKE DAVIES The Kindness Quest 80 | www.teachwire.net RE V I EWS