Activity: Speaking Kind Words

Help children learn to show Christlike love by speaking kindly at all times.

Sit in a circle with a container of sand, dirt, or other such material. Pass the jar and invite each person to take a handful of the material. As they do this, explain that the sand on their hands represents all the words they say. After each child has a handful of sand (or other material), invite them to try to put every grain—every piece—of it back into the container.

Talk about what happens when unkind words have been spoken. What happens to the person they are spoken to or about? What happens to the person who speaks the unkind words? Help the children make the connection that just as it is impossible to return every grain of sand to the jar, it is impossible to gather back unkind words and gossip once the words have been said. And usually, some of the unkindness sticks to the person who says the unkind things.

Help children learn to think before they say something that might be unkind, even if it is true. Invite them to ask themselves:

• Is what I’m saying true?
• Do my friends need to know what I’m telling them?
• Is what I’m saying kind?

Please adapt activities as necessary to ensure all individuals are able to participate, belong, and contribute.

• Read Proverbs 16:24 together: “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” If possible, make a sweet treat together or a flavored lip balm to remind the children to keep their words “sweet.”
• Play a game where a volunteer protects other children from unkind words.
  • Invite two children to stand in front of the group.
  • Provide a few lightweight balls to each of the other children. Each ball represents something unkind said.
  • The children can take turns softly tossing their balls, trying to tag one of the children.
  • The other child tries to catch and hold as many balls (unkind words) as he or she can.
  • When the child can no longer catch the balls, invite another child to go help.
  • Take turns with other children standing in the front and receiving the balls.
  • Discuss what the children learned and felt. How did the person being tagged feel? How did the person catching the balls feel? How can we help protect others from unkind words?
• As a group, make a list of kind comments children can share with a friend or family member. Discuss how these comments will make the person feel. Invite the children to think about someone who could use a kind word and what they could say to them.
• Sing “I’ll Walk with You” together (Children’s Songbook, 140). Discuss how the Savior talked with others.
• Service idea: Think of a group of people who could use a kind word, such as service professionals, missionaries, or the bishopric. Have the children write notes to them.

Encourage children to talk about how what they are learning can help them and others grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity and should last just a few minutes. You could ask questions like the following:

• How does using kind words help us follow the Savior’s commandment to love one another?
• How can we follow the Savior’s example in how we talk with other people?