Pre-school students at Northside Child Development Center will be performing random acts of kindness this week and next in an effort to promote a safe and caring school environment.

The effort, which began Thursday, is part of a Great Kindness Challenge the entire school will be participating in through Wednesday.

“We want to let them know that when you are kind to others it spreads and becomes a positive thing,” said Katie Miller, secretary. “They will see how much better life would be if everyone is kind to everyone else.”

On Thursday, students made bracelets and wrote their names on a big heart for librarian Pamela Small and volunteer coordinator Michelle Thomas.

They were also tasked with giving out at least 25 smiles.

“It’s all about doing something kind for someone else,” Miller said.

Each day, the students will focus positive attention on a different person in the school.

The Great Kindness Challenge is designed to minimize or prevent future incidents of bullying. According to stopbullying.gov, nearly 70 percent of young people have seen bullying in their schools.

The Great Kindness Challenge is presented by Kids for Peace, a global nonprofit that provides a platform for young people to actively engage in socially conscious leadership, community service, arts, environmental stewardship and global friendship.

For more information, visit the website greatkindnesschallenge.org.