Empathy and Support – The Suitcase of Kind Words

/ / Blog / November 19, 2025

Empathy and Support - The Suitcase of Kind Words

A Suitcase Full of Warm Thoughts: A Small Ritual That Inspires Big Values

A special atmosphere filled the classroom of Grade I-3 this week — gentle, warm, and full of joy. Our students took part in a creative and heartfelt activity called “The Suitcase of Kind Words,” designed to nurture empathy, mutual understanding, and the culture of speaking with kindness.

On the table stood a small vintage wooden suitcase — simple at first glance, yet it quickly became a symbol of all the beautiful thoughts the children wanted to share with one another. Into it, the students placed short messages they had written themselves: words of encouragement, compliments, supportive notes, good wishes, and positive thoughts that can brighten someone’s day.

By writing these messages, children learned to think about others, to carefully choose words that uplift, and to understand how one sincere sentence can influence someone’s mood and self-confidence. Every little paper was a small gift — thoughtfully created, tenderly written, and saved for a classmate who needed a smile.

This first part of the activity was an important moment of pausing and reflecting. The children tried to write something kind, honest, and original. In that way, “The Suitcase of Kind Words” became much more than a game — it turned into a warm space where emotions, respect, and kindness grow.

The Joy of Discovery: A Message Picked Just for Me

Once the suitcase was full, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived — drawing the messages.
One by one, the students approached, carefully opened the suitcase, and selected a folded paper, not knowing whose message they would receive. This little ritual brought excitement and even more smiles.

The reactions were wonderful:
✨ surprise when a child discovered a message written just for them,
✨ pride when they read something encouraging,
✨ curiosity as they tried to guess who wrote it,
✨ and genuine happiness upon realizing how kindly their peers see them.

As they read their messages, the classroom filled with quiet giggles, gentle comments, and small conversations about how the words made them feel. Many admitted that the message they received brightened their entire day.What made everything even more special is that the children began sharing impressions, thanking each other, and spreading the warm atmosphere that started to fill the room naturally.This moment clearly showed that children understand the power of words — and know how to use them in the most beautiful way: to support, uplift, and inspire one another.

A Lesson to Remember: Empathy, Confidence, and the Culture of Kind Speech

The “Suitcase of Kind Words” activity isn’t just a creative exercise — it is an important educational method that helps children develop emotional literacy and think about others in everyday situations. During this activity, the classroom truly became a reflection of positive relationships, gentle thoughts, and mutual support.

Through this experience, students practiced how to:

  • recognize the good qualities in others,
  • write a message that encourages,
  • express gratitude, respect, and warmth,
  • accept a positive comment and believe in their strengths,
  • understand how important it is to share and hear kind words.

    Each child went home with their message — a small piece of paper reminding them that they are seen, appreciated, and valued. Even more importantly, they left knowing that they can make someone else’s day better with just a few kind words.At Savremena, we nurture activities that develop emotion as much as knowledge, because we believe that is the true foundation of growing up.

And this little suitcase, filled with so many beautiful messages, made the entire classroom feel like the warmest place in the world.

A small suitcase, but so many kind words — exactly how a day at Savremena should feel. 😊

 


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