This kindness object lesson with toothpaste is a visual demonstration on how important it is for us to use kind words. There is the saying, “Stick and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I find that statement the farthest from the truth. I want my kids to understand the gravity of their words and therefore learn to speak with kindness.
Get a tube of toothpaste for your kids. You can get them the small travel kind, but we had this very expired tube sitting around. We had a talk about the importance of words. I talked about how you can say something, but once it’s heard the bad effects have already started to take place. We talked about what nice words look like and how they make us feel. We also talked about how mean words might make us feel. By talking about how how they would feel, we can get to their hearts rather than just their behavior.
Next, I told them to start squeezing the toothpaste out of the tube. They had fun squirting it out onto the cutting board.
The next part of the activity was to have them try to put it back in. I gave them toothpicks to help. They knew right away they couldn’t put it back, but I insisted they tried. Of course, this was a blast but unsuccessful.
After that exercise, I talked to them about our words being similar. Once your words come out of our mouth, you cannot stop what has been heard, and it can have really hurtful effects on the people around you. You can ask for forgiveness, but those words can still have a lot of weight on people.
We concluded by coming up with some nice words to say to each other.
How utterly beautiful… my babies are a bit older, but I think it’s still important enough of a reminder. These physical examples are so much more powerful and memorable then lecturing. Good on you!
I’m hoping so! I’m really wanting these lessons to penetrate into their hearts.
Great lesson – the visual is supportive!
Thanks so much. It’s visual, and it’s sticky fun. Thanks!
Such a sweet idea. Will use it! Adding myself as a follower.
I’m so happy you are following along. I’m glad you found some stuff on here you’ll enjoy. I read your profile and just want to support you in your adoption. I have so many friends who have adopted or are adopting from Ethiopia, and it just brings me joy to know these kids have families of their own now. Thanks for that!
Great lesson- the visual is so supportive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you. I’m so glad you are using this! I appreciate you letting me know.
We did this in Sunday school when I was 4 and I still remember this lesson so well. I am a new follower stopping by from Show and Share!! Morgan from http://www.tottreasuresnorthbay.blogspot.com.
Thanks so much for stopping by. It is so cool that you remember this lesson from when you are my daughter’s age. Brings me hope that what we’re doing will really impact my kids too. Thanks for that encouragement. love what you have going on at your site and am following along too.
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing. Beautiful blog.
Thank you! I hope you’ll be checking in more often. 🙂
Thank you! This is the perfect lesson I was looking for to use with my two kids in our study of the 10 commandments. (We’re doing #6 tomorrow) I couldn’t figure out how to make “do not kill” appropriate to their level (ages 4 and 6) and this is it!!! We will talk about KINDNESS and how God wants us to treat others without hurting them- with our fists OR our words. Thank you!
Great adaptation to this lesson. I’m so glad it was helpful. How did it go? I’d love to hear about it!
Great object lesson for kids and adults alike
I’m finding that all the lessons I’m teaching my kids I need to re-learn too. 🙂 Thanks so much for commenting.
I love this!
Thanks. 🙂 Hope it is useful to you!