Education’s core mission goes beyond imparting knowledge—it also focuses on shaping students’ character and nurturing their emotional development. At SHSID Hongkou Campus, first and second graders collaborated on a themed gratitude education program titled "Caring for Others: Showing Love and Gratitude." This thoughtfully designed initiative aimed to teach students compassion, foster mutual understanding, and cultivate gratitude, laying a strong foundation for their personal growth.

Grade 1: Egg Protection Project – Becoming Nurturing Caregivers

First graders embarked on a unique experience through the "Becoming Nurturing Caregivers" project. In this activity, students became "little parents," learning the importance of care and responsibility. Each child received a symbolic "egg baby" and assumed the role of its caregiver, ensuring its safety and well-being daily. The students demonstrated creativity by designing cosy, protective nests for their eggs using materials such as cotton, sturdy boxes, and custom baskets.

To deepen their understanding of caregiving, students named their egg babies and kept journals to document their daily efforts and memorable moments. With their parents’ support, they created vlogs to capture their experiences. Activities included storytelling, drawing pictures for their eggs, and involving their "babies" in daily routines such as meals, playtime, and bedtime.

Through this project, students developed a profound appreciation for their parents' care while learning the value of nurturing others. They gained empathy and a sense of responsibility, fostering kindness and a protective spirit in their growing character.

Grade 2: Empathy in Action – Building Bridges with the Empathy Rainbow

Second graders focused on practicing empathy through an engaging journey guided by their teachers. The concept of empathy was introduced through discussions about real-life scenarios and emotional responses. This process heightened students’ self-awareness and planted the seeds of compassion.

To put empathy into action, students created "Empathy Rainbows," writing down specific ways they could show empathy, such as "listening carefully to others" and "putting myself in someone else’s shoes." Using colorful markers, they crafted vibrant rainbows that symbolized their commitment to kindness and understanding.

This activity not only encouraged creativity and fine motor skills but also inspired students to treat others with empathy and inclusivity. By applying these lessons, they began caring for their classmates and friends, making the campus a warmer and more harmonious place.

Cultivating Gratitude: Spreading Kindness with Gratitude Bingo

To cultivate gratitude, first and second graders participated in a "Gratitude Bingo" activity. Through heartfelt thank-you notes, gratitude drawings, and sincere words of appreciation, the students conveyed their genuine thankfulness to everyone around them.

During the activity, students deeply experienced the power of empathy and translated their feelings into meaningful actions. Within the warm, caring environment of their school community, they expressed profound respect and gratitude toward their dedicated teachers, responsible security guards, diligent cleaning staff, and the cafeteria workers who prepare their delicious meals. The children’s heartfelt words and thoughtful gestures conveyed immense appreciation and respect.  

They also showed gratitude toward their classmates, whose companionship and shared experiences enrich their school life. At home, students expressed love by preparing a special dish for their families, demonstrating growth and independence while sharing the "flavour of love." After meals, they helped with cleaning up, showcasing their deep appreciation and care for their families through small, thoughtful acts.

To further express their gratitude, the students penned heartfelt thank-you letters, capturing their feelings on paper. Through the power of words, they learned how to convey appreciation and admiration to those around them. This sense of gratitude not only deepened their appreciation for the present but also infused their future journeys with positivity and strength.

The "Caring for Others: Showing Love and Gratitude" program at SHSID Hongkou Campus highlights the school’s commitment to character education. By immersing students in a culture of love and gratitude, the initiative demonstrated the transformative power of these values. These lessons will remain invaluable as students face future challenges, inspiring them to spread kindness beyond the school gates and make a positive impact on the world around them.

Written by Nina Kang, Becky Yang

Pictures by Elaine Zhu, Rachel Wu and Parents from Hongkou Campus

Reviewed by Cong Luo, Judah Kuhn