Start the New Year With Kindness in Your Classroom

Helloooooooo! Me again!

Yikes! The first days back after winter break are a fresh start — but they can also feel unpredictable. Students are readjusting to routines, reconnecting with friends, and bringing a lot of emotions into the classroom. Giving them intentional opportunities to build connection, practice kindness, and strengthen social-emotional skills sets a positive tone for the entire term.

That’s why I created a New Year SEL printable!
Kind Start to the New Year – Tear-Apart Compliment Strips (FREE download!)

This no-prep, print-and-go freebie is perfect for morning meetings, SEL lessons, early finishers, or back-to-school routines in January.

This no-prep resource helps students share heartfelt compliments with classmates, reflect on positive interactions, and practice communication skills — all while fostering community.

Why Kindness Matters After Winter Break

When students return from holiday break, their social and emotional needs matter just as much as their academics. Starting with a kindness-focused activity:

Helps students reconnect with classmates
Encourages positive interactions right away
Supports SEL skills like empathy, social awareness, and relationship building
Makes your classroom feel welcoming and purposeful

SEL activities like compliment strips give kids a structured, meaningful way to express positive thoughts about one another. This creates a kinder, calmer classroom culture right from day one.

What the Free Printable Includes

Your free download includes:

Tear-apart compliment and kindness strips
Student-friendly sentence starters
Simple directions — no prep needed
Easy differentiation across early elementary grades

It’s perfect for:

Morning meeting or SEL block
Back-to-school routines after winter break
Classroom community building
Early finishers or center time

You can use it whole-class, in small groups, or independently — and students love the chance to share kindness right away.

How to Use It in Your Classroom

Here are a few classroom-tested ways to make the most of this activity:

1. Compliment Exchange

Have students write compliments for peers. Then, exchange strips randomly or draw names out of a jar.

2. Kindness Wall

Collect compliments and post them on a bulletin board to create an uplifting visual reminder of strengths and positive traits.

3. Morning Meeting Share

Start your day by inviting a few students to read the compliments they gave or received. It’s an instant mood booster!

Grab Your FREE Copy

Ready to help your students start the year with kindness and connection?

Get your FREE Kind Start to the New Year – Tear-Apart Compliment Strips printable here!

Kind Start to the New Year – Tear-Apart Compliment Strips (FREE download!)

Frequently Asked Questions: New Year SEL & Kindness Activities

What is a good SEL activity for the first week back after winter break?

A kindness-focused SEL activity is a great way to ease students back into routines after winter break. Activities like compliment strips, kindness notes, and classroom community builders help students reconnect, practice positive communication, and start the new year with empathy and respect.

How do complementary activities support social-emotional learning?

Compliment activities support key SEL skills, such as social awareness, relationship-building, empathy, and positive communication. When students practice noticing others’ strengths and sharing kind words, they strengthen both their emotional intelligence and classroom relationships.

How can I use kindness printables during morning meeting?

Kindness printables work well during morning meetings by giving students a structured way to share positive messages. You can use compliment strips as a whole-class activity, a partner exchange, or a small-group discussion starter to build a welcoming classroom community.

Can this activity be used outside the classroom?

Absolutely. Kindness and compliment activities are great for families, counseling groups, after-school programs, and homeschool settings. Students can share compliment strips with family members to extend SEL learning beyond the classroom.

Why is kindness a critical focus at the start of the new year?

Focusing on kindness at the start of the new year helps set a positive tone for learning. It encourages respectful behavior, improves classroom climate, and supports students’ emotional well-being as they transition back into school routines.

I’d Love to Hear From You!

If you use this activity, I’d love to know how it goes in your classroom or at home.

Feel free to tag me on social media @creativebrainsgrowhere — I love seeing how learners explore science through hands-on creativity! As an educator, author, and illustrator, your feedback helps me continue creating meaningful, kid-friendly resources that support curious minds.

Thank you, and have a fantastic week!—

creativebrainsgrowhere.org

@creativebrainsgrowhere