How the Be Kind Make a Difference Essay Contest Inspires Young Writers and Change-Makers
Every student has a story to tell. Whether it’s about a time they helped someone in need, a moment when they experienced kindness, or an idea that could make their community a better place, their voices matter. The Be Kind Make a Difference Essay Contest amplifies these voices, giving students a platform to share their thoughts while also developing valuable writing skills.
This nationwide contest is more than just an exercise in essay writing—it empowers students to see themselves as agents of change. By reflecting on kindness, students gain confidence, improve their ability to express ideas, and inspire others to take action.
There is one central question that forms the base of our contest. Students should ask themselves,
“How can I use the skills of The Be Kind Pledge to make a difference in my community?”
Why This Contest Matters
In recent years, concerns about declining writing and literacy skills among U.S. students have intensified. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 67% of eighth-grade students demonstrated basic or higher reading proficiency—the lowest level recorded in 32 years. This decline underscores the urgent need for initiatives that strengthen both literacy and communication skills, supported by structured writing.
Understanding how the brain processes writing can help teachers create better, more effective lessons. Berninger and Winn (2006) argue that teaching methods should evolve alongside what we’re learning about the brain, making writing instruction more in tune with how kids actually develop these skills. They also point out that technology has huge potential to personalize learning, and that schools need to keep up with these advancements to help students succeed.
Our contest can help support teachers in this endeavor by engaging students in meaningful writing that fosters both skill development and personal growth. Let’s explore how the contest addresses our key goals:
- Encouraging students to develop essential writing skills
- Helping students recognize their ability to create positive change
1. Encouraging Students to Develop Essential Writing Skills
Writing skills are a big deal for brain development—they help with everything from structuring ideas to finding your own voice. Research shows that for younger kids, handwriting is key because forming letters boosts letter recognition, reading skills, and fine motor development. As kids get older, writing gets more complex, requiring planning, organizing, and revising, all of which depend on working memory and executive function. Regardless of age, continued handwriting practice supports idea generation, as the physical act of writing can enhance cognitive processing and creativity (Berninger and Winn, 2006). Lastly, reflective writing helps build argumentation skills by pushing students to back up their thoughts with real-world examples. The forming of arguments within the writing process engages different areas of the brain, increasing students’ concept retention and exploring personal style and creativity (Brown, Roediger III, & McDaniel, 2014).
By participating in the Be Kind Make a Difference Essay Contest, students learn to:
- Organize thoughts logically and develop structured narratives
- Use self-reflection to improve sentence fluency and grammar
- Express personal insights in a compelling and engaging manner
- Apply critical thinking to connect their ideas with broader social themes
So how can teachers help encourage writing skills today? Clear instruction and scaffolding—like brainstorming, outlining, and self-monitoring—help students sharpen their skills, making their writing stronger and more organized. These are all key elements of the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model. Check out the different steps below!
The SRSD model helps students develop writing skills through explicit strategy instruction (teaching planning, organizing, drafting, and revising), self-regulation (setting goals and monitoring progress), a gradual release of responsibility (moving from teacher modeling to independent writing), the use of mnemonics to structure opinion essays, and collaboration and feedback through scaffolding, self-reflection, and peer review. Researchers examined the effectiveness of a teacher-developed writing procedure anchored in the SRSD model compared to a traditional writing instruction method. The study found that students who received instruction through the SRSD-based approach demonstrated superior writing clarity, organization, and cogency in their opinion essays compared to those who underwent traditional instruction (Wong et. al, 2008). Scaffolding and collaboration really do make a difference!
For this reason, we created this brainstorming document for teachers who want to help students break down their essays into smaller, manageable pieces.
2. Helping Students Recognize Their Ability to Create Positive Change
Through reflective writing, students will also develop essential life skills that help them become more thoughtful and engaged members of their communities. Writing about personal experiences enhances social cognition, allowing students to develop deeper interpersonal relationships and understand the broader social implications of their actions (Moon, 2013). This provides students with an opportunity to reflect on the role of kindness in their friendships, helping them cultivate deeper connections and a stronger sense of belonging. Reflective writing helps students recognize that friendship isn’t only about having fun—it’s about practicing kindness, understanding, and empathy in their everyday interactions. Engaging in reflective writing enhances students’ analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, self-awareness, positive thinking, and self-esteem, while also supporting the development of interpersonal communication skills (Deveci & Wyatt, 2022). As we all know, interpersonal skills are essential for building meaningful relationships, navigating social situations, and fostering a sense of community.
Because the essay contest prompt encourages students to think of the personal impact and value of their relationships in their schools and communities, students are able to develop the skills to be better friends. Friendships help children develop essential social competencies, including communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
Positive peer relationships also provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, which contribute to a child’s psychological well-being. By participating in reflective writing activities, students become more conscious of their role in fostering positive social interactions. They begin to see friendship as an active, intentional practice—one that requires kindness, understanding, and empathy.
The Lasting Impact of the Be Kind Make a Difference Essay Contest
The Be Kind Make a Difference Essay Contest is more than just a writing challenge—it’s a transformative experience. It helps students strengthen their literacy skills, develop self-awareness, and build a culture of kindness. By fostering critical thinking, empathy, and social responsibility, the contest equips students with the tools they need to become change-makers in their communities. Through reflection, they learn that kindness is not just a one-time action but a lifelong practice—one that shapes the future of their friendships, communities, and world.
For more information about how to submit your essay, head to bkpp.org/essay
