In what has been a particularly turbulent week in global affairs, the choice of ‘kindness’ as Oxford Children’s Word of the Year for 2024 offers a reminder of the hope we carry for younger generations.
More than 6,000 children aged between six and 14 were asked to select the word they think best summed up 2024 as part of research conducted by the Oxford University Press (OUP). According to teachers, the choice of ‘kindness’, which was selected by 61% of the youngsters asked, reflects a growing awareness among young people of the impact of mental health, and the contribution kindness can make to mental wellbeing.
Numerous references to global violence and current conflicts emphasised how attuned children are to current affairs, said survey organisers, with words such as ‘need’ and ‘should’ frequently used in their responses.
