When I was a teenager, we didn’t have a term for service-learning. Projects existed to volunteer in our communities but not many people thought about the lifelong value of such projects. Today, I know that my life was changed as a result of working with a group of students to […]
Empathy
“Honestly, I sometimes truly wish that ‘tools’ such as the iPhone (or any smartphone), laptops, iPads, tablets, etc. hadn’t been invented. Sure, they’re great, incredibly useful, and fun time-killers. But the way teenagers abuse them, and turn them into mini social control rooms is frankly awful.” At first glance, you […]
Sociability
What skills do future leaders need? The answer may surprise you. Research suggests that great leadership is not about a bulleted list of teachable skills, but about the quality of the person. Why is this important to parents, teachers, and others who imagine the future leadership potential of today’s young […]
Compass-Inspired
Communities make a positive difference for children and families when they connect around common values, form meaningful relationships with each other, and provide resources that help kids flourish in life. We know this to be true, not just from research, but because we know deep in our bones that the […]
Compass-Inspired
Like many adults, I can recall the profound influence that youth mentoring has had on my life. Not only did my mentor, a high school teacher, support me through my challenging teen years, but I have felt her positive influence for a lifetime. Why is youth mentoring so important? How […]
Compass-Inspired
What are character strengths? What meaningful role does character play in child and adult development? It is widely acknowledged that character –not beauty, high test scores, or wealth–account for life satisfaction and well-being. Derived from the field of positive psychology, the term character strengths has become synonymous with a group […]
Resilience
Good teachers understand that character education is at least half their jobs. While teachers are hired to develop children’s skills and abilities in academics like reading, writing, history, geography, and math, there is a lot more going on in the classroom than meets the eye. Opportunities abound for students to […]
Integrity
Most adults agree that explaining death to children is one of the toughest conversations we can have. And one of the biggest mistakes we often make is not talking about death with kids. Research shows that most children experience the loss of someone they love by the time they finish […]
Resilience
What are the benefits of nature? How does nature improve children’s health and well-being? These are a few of many questions addressed by researchers in recent years. The answers provide important insights for families and schools. There are many scientific studies that underscore the benefits of nature, including stress relief, improved […]
Creativity
Kindness quotes and famous remarks about empathy, compassion, forgiveness, and peace help engage children in meaningful conversations about themselves. Through these discussions, we teach kids about the true essence of the human spirit. Empathy is the ability to recognize, feel, and respond to the needs and suffering of others. […]
Empathy
Coaching youth sports is a rewarding job, particularly for adults who see their roles beyond winning and losing. Coaches of youth sports are role models and key players in making sports experiences gratifying and beneficial for children and teens. According to the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), “sports participation […]
Resilience
Can creativity quotes from famous, diverse voices inspire kids to explore their own creative abilities? Absolutely! Like poetry, song, and prose of all kinds, quotes have a unique way of reaching to the core of what humans have learned about themselves for centuries. With the help of adults who take […]
Creativity
