Runningbrook International Preschool
San Carlos Center: Carlos Peña Otaegui 11206 (intersection La Fuente) San Carlos de Apoquindo, Las Condes
Runningbrook International Preschool
San Carlos Center: Carlos Peña Otaegui 11206 (intersection La Fuente) San Carlos de Apoquindo, Las Condes
July 30, 2026
As parents, few things fill us with as much pride as watching our child offer a toy to a friend, give a spontaneous hug, or say a heartfelt "thank you." These small moments are the seeds of kindness, generosity, and gratitude, qualities we hope will blossom throughout our children's lives.
But if you have ever watched your two-year-old clutch a toy and shout "Mine!" or seen your preschooler struggle to share a snack, you know that these beautiful traits do not appear overnight. Kindness, sharing, and gratitude are learned gradually, through experience, guidance, and lots of loving patience.
At Runningbrook International Preschool, where we have supported over 1,200 families from more than 35 countries since 1993, we see every day how a child-centered approach and play-based learning help these social and emotional skills take root. In this article, we will explore what you can realistically expect at different ages, and share practical strategies you can begin using today.
Understanding your child's developmental stage helps set realistic expectations. Children develop at their own pace, and there is a wide range of what is considered typical. What matters most is the direction of growth, not a rigid timeline.
Here is a general picture of how kindness, sharing, and gratitude tend to unfold across our program age groups:
Decades of developmental research support this gradual progression. Studies from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University emphasize that social and emotional skills like empathy are built over time through warm, responsive relationships, not through pressure or punishment. In other words, kindness grows best in an environment of connection and safety.
The preschool years are a remarkable window for social and emotional development. During this period, children's brains are forming the neural pathways that shape how they relate to others for the rest of their lives.
This is why our play-based learning philosophy at Runningbrook places such value on social and emotional growth. When children play together in our small groups, they are not simply having fun, they are practicing real-life skills: negotiating who goes first on the slide, comforting a friend who fell, and learning that giving can feel just as good as receiving.
Our multicultural environment adds a beautiful dimension to this learning. With families from more than 35 countries, children naturally encounter different customs, languages, and ways of expressing care. This everyday diversity helps them grow into kind, open-minded individuals who appreciate the richness of others.
You are your child's first and most important teacher, and the everyday moments at home are where kindness truly takes root. Here are practical, easy-to-apply strategies you can start using today.
Children learn far more from what we do than from what we say. When you say "thank you" to the person who bags your groceries, hold the door for a neighbor, or speak gently to your partner, your child is watching and absorbing.
Try narrating your own kind acts: "I am going to help our neighbor carry her bags because that is a kind thing to do." This makes the invisible thinking behind kindness visible.
Gratitude grows through repetition and warmth. Consider building a small daily habit:
Over time, this ritual trains your child's attention toward the positive and gives them the vocabulary to express appreciation.
Forcing a child to share often backfires, creating resistance rather than generosity. Instead, try these gentler approaches:
Remember, the goal is genuine generosity, which develops with maturity and practice, not obligation.
Books are wonderful tools for building empathy. When you read about characters who feel sad, happy, or left out, pause and ask: "How do you think she feels? What could we do to help?" This helps your child practice seeing the world through someone else's eyes.
When your child does something kind, describe it specifically rather than offering a generic "good job." Say: "You noticed your friend was sad and gave him a hug. That was very caring." This helps children understand exactly what kindness looks like and encourages them to repeat it.
Every family expresses kindness and gratitude in its own way, shaped by culture and tradition. In some cultures, respect for elders is central; in others, sharing food is the ultimate act of care. In our multicultural community, we celebrate these differences, and we encourage you to share your own family's traditions with your child. There is no single "right" way to raise a kind child.
As you nurture these qualities, remember to be patient, with your child and with yourself. Kindness, sharing, and gratitude are lifelong journeys, not boxes to check off. Some days your child will amaze you with their generosity; other days they will melt down over a shared crayon. Both are perfectly normal parts of growing up.
Trust yourself. You know your child better than anyone else, and you are the true expert on who they are and what they need. Our role at Runningbrook is to walk alongside you, offering a warm, child-centered environment where these seeds of kindness can flourish through play, connection, and everyday care.
With your love and gentle guidance, your child is already becoming a kind, thoughtful, and grateful little person, one small moment at a time.