Exploring Bad Days with Everything Will Be OK
Some days are just yucky. Things happen that children can’t control and don’t like. They might be little things,
…Exploring Spirituality with The Little Mermaid
Children have long loved Ariel, the star of Disney’s The Little Mermaid,
…Exploring Fears with Bright Star
Fears are a part of childhood. Whether it’s worries about monsters under the bed, big dogs, loud noises, or parents leaving for a night out,
…Connecting with Nature through Apple and Magnolia
One summer, my kids and I planted a small garden. While our cucumbers and zucchini did well, our tomato plants struggled.
…Exploring Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 with Kids
Marvel’s newest release, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3, focuses on Rocket’s origin story as Groot,
…Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month
Just a few weeks after cherry blossoms peak in the U.S. capital, Americans begin a month-long celebration of Asian American,
…Character Rocks
I keep a small stone on my desk with the word ‘breathe’ painted on it. It’s a reminder to slow down,
…Books for Earth Day
Americans have celebrated Earth Day since 1970, with other nations joining in beginning in 1990. The theme for 2023 is ‘Invest in Our Planet’.
…Celebrating Eid al Fitr
After 30 days of fasting, Muslim worldwide mark the end of Ramadan with Eid al Fitr, literally a festival of breaking the fast.
…Super Mario Spirituality
The Super Mario Bros. Movie begins with the Nintendo game’s familiar theme music, a siren call to multiple generations.
…Easter as Spring Celebration
Eggs hidden on windowsills or in the grass. Baskets filled with chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. Pots of tulips,
…Talking about Lockdown Drills with One Thursday Afternoon
Lockdown (Active Shooter) Drills have become a staple of children’s lives. Schools and organizations build them into the year alongside other safety measures: controlled access,
…Exploring Ramadan
Six years ago, I visited Istanbul with two of my children. We were there during Ramadan, which meant we observed families coming together night after night to break their fasts.
…Exploring A Million Views
My daughter loves creating videos. Lego movies inspire stop-action Lego shorts. Super Bowl halftime shows prompt dance videos. She’s even documented her passions with interview-style videos featuring conversations with me,
…Exploring Emotion with Crying is Like the Rain
Children’s feelings can shift and change rapidly. One minute a toddler is happily playing and the next they’re screaming and kicking on the floor because someone disrupted their activity.
…Exploring Loteria with Children
Daniel* wasn’t having much success lighting his campfire. Everything seemed stacked against him: too much wind, a sloping hillside,
…Rihanna Spirituality
Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII performance is trending on social media. Several reviewers place it in their all-time top five halftime shows.
…Guided Meditation on Friendship
For children, Valentine’s Day is more about friendship than romance. They’re generally eager to exchange valentine cards with classmates.
…Exploring People Are Wild with Children
“Do they bite?” asked Marcus* when we spotted a family of mule deer during a camping trip. Our group was excited and a little bit apprehensive as we observed the animals.
…Spiritual Themes in The Door of No Return
Lessons about slavery in the United States typically begin with life on a plantation in the American South. This White-centric perspective further dehumanizes Africans by ignoring their homelands,
…Celebrating Kwanzaa with Children
Seven candles stand tall in a kinara, ready for lighting. Their number and colors (red, black, and green) suggest this is not a Hanukkah celebration.
…Avatar Spirituality
Avatar: The Way of Water continues the story of Jake, Neytiri, and their children.
…Meditation On Light
The winter months can be hard. Short days and long nights leave us longing for more sunlight. Cold temperatures chill our bodies and chase us inside.
…Holiday Lights Scavenger Hunt
I love holiday lights! Strings of colored bulbs wrapped around trees, icicle lights hanging from rooftops and fences, a yard full of inflatables,
…Exploring Emotions with The Coat
Hand-me-downs can be a dreaded necessity or longed-for acquisition. I remember being crestfallen when a neighbor passed down her daughter’s no-longer-fashionable clothes.
…Wakanda Spirituality
How do you create a Black Panther sequel without the Black Panther? Chadwick Boseman’s death made it difficult for my children to imagine what might happen next in a movie series that had lost its signature superhero.
…Taylor Swift Spirituality
With her latest album sweeping the top 10 slots on Billboard’s Top 100 – a first for any artist –
…Exploring Just Help! with Kids
How can children learn to build a better world? According to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the answer is in the title of her new picture book: Just Help!
…Diwali Spirituality
As fall crops are harvested and days grow shorter, many cultures and religions acknowledge the season with celebrations of light.
…Reflecting on Lyle, Lyle Crocodile with Kids
Lyle, Lyle Crocodile offers several big songs and dance scenes that will engage and excite young moviegoers.
…Yom Kippur
Fall brings two major Jewish holidays: Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), which is one of the most important observances in Judaism.
…Talking about the Queen’s Funeral & Rituals after Death
Less than 24 hours after Queen Elizabeth’s death, media outlets were carrying articles about ‘what to expect’ as a nation mourned her passing and celebrated her life.
…Exploring Community Justice with Unfadeable
In Unfadeable, Bella Fades is a fierce tween girl who loves her community and wants to see it thrive.
…Exercising Attention
It’s the usual afterschool chaos in my house. Classic rock plays loudly and all three kids are gyrating in an impromptu dance party.
…Reading Small Town Pride With Kids
Small Town Pride stars a tween working to understand himself, change his community and gain autonomy over his own story.
…Spiritual Exploration with the Webb Telescope
A friend’s 5 year old daughter recently visited our local science museum, where she was mesmerized by the Webb telescope images.
…Exploring Miss Quinces
Summer can often be a time of celebrations and reunions as family members and friends travel to see one another.
…Exploring Gods & Grief with Thor: Love and Thunder
My family rarely misses a Marvel movie, and the new Thor: Love and Thunder is no exception.
…Talking about Ukraine with I Hate Borsch
Earlier this month, UNESCO added borsch, the national soup of Ukraine, to its list of endangered cultural heritage items.
…Exploring Power & Perseverance with Minions: The Rise of Gru
The new Minions movie has much of the silliness you expect from the Despicable Me franchise.
…Reading What Do You Do with a Chance?
Taking chances is risky. Some children can’t wait to explore the unknown. Others prefer familiar structures and routines.
What Do You Do with a Chance?
…Identity Discussions with Alice Austen Lived Here
Sam and TJ have learned a lot about ‘Dead Straight Cisgender White Men’ in history. So when they have to research a local historical figure for commemoration on Staten Island,
…Exploring Lightyear with Children
As long time fans of Toy Story, my children were excited to learn Buzz’s backstory. They watched as Buzz and Alesha diverted their Space Ranger to explore an uncharted planet,
…Exploring Magic Candies with Children
Imagine a bag of candies with the power to bring your sofa to life and give voice to falling leaves.
…Reading Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts
Disney’s popular movie, Turning Red, has called attention to how children struggle with big emotions,
…Daily Intentions
Setting small spiritual goals each day is one way that children can take responsibility for their own moral and ethical development.
…Taking Flight with The Year We Learned to Fly
Cultural and spiritual heritages are often passed on to new generations through stories and teachings by elders. Knowing this,
…Emoji Spirituality
Kids love emojis. As fun visual substitutes for words, they help children share how they’re feeling and communicate ideas.
…Mindful Art
Self-awareness and emotional regulation are spiritual skills that every child needs. Research shows that art activities can be powerful tools for supporting these skills.
…Reading A Duet for Home
What can children do about a situation that seems unfair or unjust? How can they be allies? These are two of the questions that Karina Yan Glaser explores in her new novel,
…Books for Earth Day
Every year on April 22, more than a billion people take time to reflect on the earth and its importance for human wellbeing.
…Exploring Ellen Outside the Lines
In their latest book, author A.J. Sass creates a neurodivergent main character (Ellen) who is negotiating changes in her friendships and sense of self.
…Mindful Nature Walks
I do a lot of walking. I sometimes walk from my house to my office two blocks away. I pace while talking on the phone at work or home.
…Spiritual Reflection with Turning Red
Pixar’s newest release is a coming-of-age story about a Chinese Canadian girl accepting both her changing body and shifting relationships as she enters adolescence.
…Exploring For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World
Like many parents, Michael W. Waters looked at his newborn son and thought him the most beautiful baby on earth.
…Spiritual ‘projects’ with Operation Sisterhood
Bo’s summer plans completely change when her mother moves into a Harlem brownstone with her fiance and another family.
…Books Celebrating Black Identity
Children’s spiritual well-being depends, in part, on strong self-esteem. They need to see themselves as individuals valued and respected by others.
…Spiritual Storytelling with The Last Cuentista
For a book lover like me, one bedtime story often turned into two or three as I tucked my young children in.
…Spiritual Play with Bluey
My sisters and I often engaged in imaginative play when we were growing up. We came up with various pretend situations,
…Exploring Where Wonder Grows
My dad collected rocks his whole life. He particularly liked geodes: rocks that – when broken open – contained a hidden cavity filled with crystals.
…Reading Fauja Singh Keeps Going
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on the 3rd Monday in January reminds us that society needs strong leaders: people who show us how to respect and honor diversity.
…New Year’s Examen
Examen is a reflective practice that originated in the 15th century. It’s purpose is to help children and adults become more aware of the power that thankfulness,
…Creating a Sacred Healing Space
The last two years have been incredibly difficult. Children, as well as adults, have struggled to find spiritual wellbeing in the midst of health concerns,
…Reflecting with Spiderman: No Way Home
When my oldest child was 4, he begged to have his face painted as Spiderman. But when he saw his new face in the mirror,
…Spiritual Reflection with Encanto
Encanto, Disney’s newest animated feature, tells the story of an extraordinary family. Once upon a time,
…Reading The Proudest Blue
Wearing hijab is a spiritual statement for Muslim girls and women. It is a sign of faith and a practice of faithfulness.
…Guided Meditation for Peacefulness
Stress and anxiety are common occurrences in contemporary family life. Parents and children have a lot to do each day,
…Creating a Mindfulness Space
Mindfulness practices help children to become more self-aware. When they spend time being present with themselves, they learn more about who they are.
…Chapter Books about Refugees & Asylum Seekers
Older children often wonder about the reasons refugees and asylum seekers have left their homelands. They are able to think critically about economic and political systems that displace people and want to hear refugees’ stories.
…Picture Books about Refugees
With stories about refugees and immigrants frequently in the news, children are certain to wonder about why they’ve come and what their experiences are like.
…Reflecting on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
During quarantine, my family watched all of the Marvel movies in chronological order. It was one of the few series that both my high schoolers and older elementary children could enjoy together.
…Public Learning Reflective Process
For teachers and program facilitators who want to be reflective practitioners, Mills College School of Education suggests organizing regular fishbowl-style conversations with other teachers or an advisory group.
…Coloring as a Mindfulness Practice
As children return to in-person gatherings, they may feel anxious and stressed. An art-based mindfulness practice can help children regulate their emotions and prevent their fears from overwhelming them.
…Ways to Check Understanding
A common way to check whether children have understood something is to give a test. But even in schools,
…Identity Portraits
Valuing who we are and respecting others’ identities are crucial to spiritual wellbeing. Every child wants to be seen for the unique individual they are.
…Telling Personal Stories
Hearing others’ stories and telling one’s own is a powerful way for children to connect spiritually. Personal stories reveal details about children’s personalities.
…Decision Matrix
Learning to make good decisions is an essential spiritual skill. Becoming a self-reflective person requires children to figure out the moral and ethical norms of their community and use this information to make judgments about their own actions.
…Create a Virtual Protest
Even as places open for in-person experiences, virtual engagements can continue to be part of children’s and families’ positive spiritual interactions.
…Pandemic Reflection Activities
As many places lift pandemic restrictions, children need ways to look back over the past 15 months and reflect on their experiences.
…Family Spiritual Rules
Family spiritual rules are a little like superhero codes of conduct: they outline our values and the activities we believe represent them.
…Earth Day Spirituality
Nature plays a significant role in spirituality for people of all ages. During the pandemic, many families have found that spending time outdoors has soothed their souls and broken the monotony of being socially isolated.
…Practicing Presence
Learning to be attentive to the spiritual aspects of life takes time and practice. From the time we are preschoolers,
…Examining Our Conscience
Many cultural and religious traditions have some kind of spiritual practice that involves reflecting on one’s activities over a period of time and evaluating how well they conform to shared values.
…Focused Attention
Mindfulness is all the rage these days, and rightly so. When children take a few moments to focus their attention,
…Centering Guide
The world can be a noisy place. From the sounds of traffic in the streets, neighbors through apartment walls, Zoom classrooms,
…Talking about Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb
Forming an identity is a complicated task. The arts provide space to create and play with different identities. Education researcher Kim So Jung notes that poetry has many benefits for early elementary students,
…Guided Meditation for Justice Seekers
Children and adults often use guided meditation to help them relax or fall asleep. A soothing voice inviting you to imagine yourself sitting beside a babbling brook or wandering through a lush forest can be both calming and refreshing.
…A Lament How-To
When life gets tough, a spiritual practice that deals with anxiety can make the difference between a whiny child and one that feels empowered to cope.
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