True story. I have a little store and all sorts wander in the doors. I had a kid come in who said that he and his Grandma were homeless and living in their car. Now there is a local program called helping hands that sometimes can cough up some $ in these situations. So I…
In a talk he did for a charity fundraiser event whose goal was to “Create Positive Lives” scientist David Hamilton, PhD shares information about the science behind the feel-good emotions that are felt when giving an act of kindness. An honors degree in biological and medicinal chemistry, and a PhD in organic chemistry, David worked as…
Book Title: The Watermelon ShieldAuthors: Rose McCallum (she/her) and Finn McCallum (they/them)Illustrator: mikemotz.comFor ages: 6-10 years (a good read for all ages)Topics: bullying, kindness, compassion, empathy, character development, juvenile self-helpRelated learning areas: social and emotional learning (SEL), well-being/self-confidence, communication/healthy boundaries Continue Reading
Get your free advent calendar below!Ho, ho, ho!! Many of us go into denial when Christmas rolls around again. What? Um, it’s time to get out the advent calendar but didn’t we just celebrate Christmas? I’m pretty sure science hasn’t proven it, but I’m convinced that time goes faster the older we get! Though parents and…
How important are relationships in education? Rita Pierson, in her classic TEDTalk, says “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” I thoroughly agree and I would like it mandated that every teacher watches her talk every year! I want to expand her sentiment to include student to student relationships. Continue Reading
This Christmas while you’re thinking about the gifts you’ll get for those you love, consider getting one for a stranger in need. When you’re living on the street, gifts are the last thing on your mind but as shown in this video, something that brings a great deal of joy. We hope you’re inspired to…
A few years ago my husband was made redundant. It was a massive shock as he had always dedicated himself to the firm, we often joked that the firm came first and the 4 (at that time) children and I came a close second! It was a massive blow to my husband and although he…
While checking out in the grocery store, I dropped a glass jar of artichokes. It shattered and glass flew everywhere with the oily liquid spewing. I was mortified. I immediately apologized. The clerk calmly came around to clean it up, telling me it happens all the time (it was my first). It took quite a…
Teaching Kindness Changes the Classroom Community!Phrases like “random acts of kindness” and “pay it forward” have become popular terms in modern society. There are even special days dedicated to highlighting the importance of kindness and organizations who specialize in altruism. But why has it become so popular to teach kindness in schools? Perhaps that’s best explained…
When I teach Kindergarten or first-grade children, I always teach my students a little song called “Five Little Bluebirds” as a segway into a discussion about their superpower. I developed some motions for the song, and always end this subtraction-type song by making a very sad face and saying, “No little bluebirds in the nest.”…
While I was in Washington I was at a pizza place and saw an elderly couple. The man was in an electric wheelchair and appeared not to have much use of his arms. His wife also arrived in an electric wheelchair but left hers outside because there wasn’t room for two in the small space….
When a friend told me that they were going to move house, my heart sank. Why? Because I am really rubbish at offering to help. My husband works away and I have five children to juggle alone for the most part of the year. I also suffer from three autoimmune diseases which restrict me physically.