Jan31

what wisdom.

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BBC A triangular roadworks sign which normally features a man digging has been changed to show a man helping up another from the ground, with the words "Be Kind" replacing the word "Roadworks".
A road sign advocating kindness appeared on a street in Hull in July last year – BBC

Kindness has been chosen as Children’s Word of the Year for 2024 after a survey of thousands of young people.

Oxford University Press (OUP) said “artificial intelligence” and “conflict” were also among the most common suggestions.

It follows 2023’s winning phrase “climate change”, and “Queen”, which was the winner in 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

More than 3,000 children aged six to 14 were asked for their suggestions, with the top three then put to vote by a further 2,000 children.

Andrea Quincey, a director at OUP, said the choice was “encouraging” and reflected children’s increasing awareness of mental health. “We know from previous years that young people are very conscious of the big issues that can divide us as a society and attuned to the important role which language can play in bringing people together.”

“It tells us that empathy and tolerance and the language we use matter, and that kindness is not only a solution to so many problems but is something everyone and anyone can do to make a difference.”

The final vote kindness had been chosen by 61% of children.

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‘what wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”

– Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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