In early childhood education, every gentle word, every shared smile, and every act of inclusion builds the foundation for a kinder, more tolerant world.
World Kindness Day (13 November) and the International Day for Tolerance (16 November) remind us that even the smallest gestures—helping a friend, saying thank you, inviting someone new to play—can grow into powerful lessons about empathy, respect, and belonging.
Children learn kindness not from words alone, but from the everyday examples set by the adults who care for them. When we model compassion, fairness, and open-mindedness, we teach children that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard.
By embracing the principles of Be You, which promotes wellbeing, resilience, and positive relationships, and drawing on the Building Belonging Toolkit from the Australian Human Rights Commission, services can intentionally create environments where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is lived every day.
Together, these frameworks guide educators to nurture children’s hearts as well as their minds—helping them grow into empathetic, confident individuals who understand that kindness and tolerance are not just special events, but lifelong ways of being.
Exceeding the NQS BEST tips
Earning Exceeding Through Kindness and Tolerance: Embedding Empathy, Respect, and Inclusion in Everyday Practice
