Schools focus so much on tests and grades — but what about heart?

When I was a kid, school was about reading, writing, and math. But also about how you treated others. Now, I worry we’re teaching children to memorize facts but forgetting to teach them to care. My grandson comes home knowing about fractions but sometimes struggles with sharing or saying sorry. Isn’t kindness the real foundation for any learning?

Empathy is a skill — and it needs practice

Being kind doesn’t just happen. It’s a muscle you build, like learning to read. Kids need to be shown how to listen, to understand feelings, and to help others. Without that, we risk raising clever but cold adults. I remember when my teacher explained why bullying hurts — it stuck with me forever. Today’s schools should make those lessons just as important as science fairs.

The world needs more kindness than ever

With so much noise online and in the news, children grow up faster and with more pressure than we did. Teaching kindness is not “soft” — it’s necessary. It’s what will help them navigate hard times, connect with others, and build a better future. I want my grandson to be smart, yes — but more importantly, to be a good human being.