As Summer Reading 2017, Build A Better World came to a close, young patrons at the Crown Heights Library participated in a program to create their own “kindness rocks”. Inspired by The Kindness Rocks Project, participants created their own rocks with positive, uplifting messages to inspire all those who gaze upon them. The rocks were installed as an inspirational rock garden at the front of the library building.
There were about 18 participants during the scheduled program and each person made several rocks. There were unpainted rocks leftover so we invited other patrons to decorate the extras at the information desk.
Before the decorating started, we took time to contemplate what it meant to be kind and brainstormed kind actions. Then we took a few minutes to meditate on kindness in our own lives. We closed our eyes and took a few deep breaths. Participants were asked to bring to mind a recent kind action that they performed for someone else and how it made them feel. Then they were asked to bring to mind a recent kind action that someone did for them and how that made them feel. Afterward, they wrote down their responses to further internalize the idea and a few brave souls shared their kind acts when asked.
Many children wrote about the act of giving when someone else was in need. One young lady said that she was in a store when a stranger saw that she didn’t have enough money so they offered to pay for her item. Many other themes were expressed including sharing, caretaking, and helping.
“I shared my ball with someone.”
“My friend helped me do my homework.”
“My mom made sure that I had breakfast.”
Then we got down to business. You can find the specifics of how-to on The Kindness Rocks Project website but here is a brief overview:
Find rocks! Preferably with a smooth surface as these will be easier to write on.
Give them a rinse.
When dry, seal them with a non-toxic sealant like Modge-Podge.
Decorate your rocks with an oil-based paint pen. These are recommended as they seem to work the best. Others may work just as long as they are not water-based.
Seal the rocks again so they can stand up to the elements and so that the paint does not leach into the environment.
Display your rocks!
Our rock garden is all laid out but we have extra rocks on hand if any other patrons would still like to contribute! Or, check out the BPL events calendar to find a similar program at your local branch. It is a wonderful opportunity to cultivate positivity and kindness in your own life and in the lives of those whom you come in contact with.
Can't get enough of crafting? Checkout our Kids Create program at a branch near you! Click here
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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