50
ACTIVITIES THAT SHOW CHILDREN YOU
CARE
Taken from "150
Ways to Show Kids You Care"
Reprinted with permission from Rochlkepartain
& Goudarai, "150 Ways to Show Kids You Care" (Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute). © Search Institute,
1998. www.search-institute.org.
1. Notice them.
2. Smile a lot.
3. Acknowledge them.
4. Learn their names.
5. Seek them out.
6. Remember their birthdays.
7. Ask them about themselves.
8. Look in their eyes when you talk to them.
9. Listen to them.
10. Play with them.
11. Read aloud together.
12. Giggle together.
13. Be nice.
14. Say yes a lot.
15. Tell them their feelings are okay.
16. Set boundaries that keep them safe.
17. Be honest.
18. Be yourself.
19. Listen to their stories.
20. Hug them.
21. Forget your worries sometimes and concentrate only on them.
22. Notice when they're acting differently.
23. Present options when they seek your counsel.
24. Play outside together.
25. Surprise them.
26. Stay with them when they're afraid.
27. Invite them over for juice.
28. Suggest better behaviors when they act out.
29. Feed them when they're hungry.
30. Delight in their discoveries.
31. Share their excitement.
32. Send them a letter or postcard.
33. Follow them when they lead.
34. Notice when they're absent.
35. Call them to say hello.
36. Hide surprises for them to find.
37. Give them space when they need it.
38. Contribute to their collections.
39. Discuss their dreams and nightmares.
40. Laugh at their jokes.
41. Be relaxed.
42. Kneel, squat or sit so that you're at their eye level.
43. Answer their questions.
44. Tell them how terrific they are.
45. Create a tradition with them and keep it.
46. Learn what they have to teach.
47. Use your ears more than your mouth.
48. Make yourself available.
49. Show up at their concerts, games, and events.
50. Find a common interest.
© 1998 by Search Institute. Written by Jolene I. Rochlkepartain. Design by Sina F. Goudarzi. All rights reserved. Search Institute's Healthy Communities. Healthy Youth initiative receives major support from Lutheran Brotherhood, which provides financial services, community service opportunities, and philanthropic outreach nationwide, and from other funds.