Small Talks, No. 107

Friday November 22, 2024

Nov 22, 2024

Welcome to the 107th edition of Small Talks. Every Friday, I highlight 6 areas of weekly joys and reflections in early childhood and the whole family. Small Talks leverages my experience at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and impact investing. Enjoy!

Thank You Kids Images – Browse 17,190 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video | Adobe Stock

What I’m celebrating -

With Thanksgiving approaching, a few notes about the benefits of gratitude for children (and adults):

Gratitude Improves Health. Grateful children report fewer health complaints, such as headaches and stomachaches, and are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors like exercising and getting enough sleep. Gratitude also increases positive emotions.
Gratitude Enhances Peer Popularity. Children who express gratitude are perceived as more likable by their peers, which can lead to stronger friendships and social support networks.
Gratitude Can Reduce Materialism. Teaching children gratitude decreases materialistic attitudes, helping them focus on relationships and experiences rather than possessions.
Gratitude Strengthens Problem-Solving Skills. Grateful children are better at coping with challenges and show improved problem-solving abilities because gratitude encourages a positive perspective on setbacks.
Gratitude Can Be Cultivated Through Simple Practices. Even short interventions, like writing a weekly gratitude journal, significantly boost children’s happiness and reduce negative emotions over time.

10 Thanksgiving Activities for Kids, Including Crafts and Books

Some hope:

Inner Explorer is a nonprofit supporting little learners with meditation exercises helping them succeed. Check out this feature on their impact in Florida and one of their teacher appreciation activity.

What I’m listening to -

In this podcast The Power of Gratitude, Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale Psychology Professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, explores how gratitude can enhance happiness and life satisfaction. Research shows that focusing on what we’re thankful for and recognizing the good in our lives leads to deeper happiness. Dr. Santos explains the distinction between genuine gratitude practices and toxic positivity, offers tips for practicing mindfulness through gratitude lists, and discusses how acknowledging life’s blessings, even during challenging times, can improve our well-being.

What I’m reading -

Two sweet books about gratitude for young children:

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora. A heartwarming story about sharing and community, as Omu’s generosity inspires others to give back in gratitude.
Gratitude is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego. This story follows Betsy as she learns to focus on gratitude, offering practical tips for kids to incorporate thankfulness into daily life.

What I’m watching -

Strongly recommend this short mesmerizing video from choregraph Sadeck Waff.

What I’m learning more deeply -

A great overview of The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain
by Madhuleena Roy Chowdhury.
“Giving thanks can make you happier” by Harvard Medical School.
How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain about how gratitude works to improve our mental health by Joshua Brown and Joel Wong.

Two quotes I’m pondering -

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." – Marcel Proust

"The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see." – Mary Davis

Feedback is a gift. Which part above is your favorite? What did I miss? What do you want more or less of? Other recommendations? Please kindly let me know. Thank to all of you who are sending me amazing suggestions.

Small Talks