In a world that often seems divided and angry, music reminds us that we are all connected by our humanity. By sharing the gift of music with children, we give them the priceless gift of hope and happiness.
A Year in Review
As we say goodbye to 2022 and embark on a new year, it’s important to remember the things that are most important in life: our family, health, and our community. One small way we can make a big impact is to commit to spreading kindness each and every day. This month, I want to spotlight DGT’s best creations of 2022 in case you missed them, want to revisit them, or want to share them with others. (Yes, please do so!) Be sure to subscribe to our blog, newsletter, and/or volunteer listings so you can easily find all the good we create in 2023!
Celebrate Family This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time to come together and celebrate the things that matter most. Family, friends, and loved ones can all play a role in making this time of year special. However, the holiday season can also be a time of stress and anxiety. With so much to do and so little time, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. This year, take a step back and focus on what’s truly important. Embrace kindness and show others gratitude. Give yourself and those around you the gift of your time and attention. These small acts of kindness will help alleviate your stress and will also go a long way in making this holiday season one to remember.
Weave Gratitude Into Your Life
As the leaves begin to fall and the days grow shorter, it can be easy to forget all the things for which we are grateful. However, studies have shown that practicing gratitude can improve our mental and physical health. This November, let's take some time to focus on all the good in our lives. Gratitude is the act of being thankful for the good things in your life. When you focus on the good, you’ll find that your life is filled with more wonder and abundance than you ever realized. Practicing gratitude is one of the best ways to cultivate happiness and make the most of every day.
The Power of Kindness to Counteract Bullying
It's no secret that bullying is a problem in schools. All too often children are teased, excluded, or made to feel inferior because of their appearance, intelligence, or interests. But there is hope. Kindness has the power to change the culture of a school and create an environment where everyone is respected and valued.
Boost Academics, Mental Health, and Connection Through Volunteering
Focusing on academics and achievement gaps are priorities that must be front and center. That is why it is imperative to remind ourselves that academics work best when coupled with volunteering. Research shows that volunteering boosts academic achievement. Volunteers tend to perform better in school and have stronger social skills. Additionally, giving back feels good and helps boost mental health by promoting connection with others. Volunteering is simply a win-win-win.
Embracing the Last Days of Summer
As you are creating your bucket list of things to do before summer is over, why not embrace the last days of summer by spreading kindness? While an instance of kindness can be powerful and even make you feel good, the real benefit of kindness comes from repeating acts of kindness over and again. Let’s help our children embrace the last days of summer with kind acts of service.
The Power of Listening with Your Heart
True listening is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. While we believe we are good at listening, research tells us that we really only listen at about 25% efficacy. Other studies suggest that we are forgetful and distracted when listening 75% of the time. Great listening is something that is trained, honed and practiced. We can practice taking the time to stop, give someone our full attention, let them speak without interruption, ask follow-up questions, and refrain from judgment.
Raising Helpful, Responsible Kids Begins with Chores
Research shows that one of the best ways to help children become successful is to engage them regularly in chores from an early age. Chores are important because they teach children basic skills, provide a sense of responsibility, instill values of hard work and promote the common good! They also can be really helpful for the family unit!
Cultivate Empathy and Grow Compassion
Double Up on Health Benefits by Giving Back Outside
Challenging Conversations in Difficult Times
The news is filled with stories of families fleeing Ukraine, and your children may be asking challenging questions about these heartbreaking situations. As a parent, I want to protect my children from great sadness and information they may not be ready for, but I also want them to learn empathy, kindness, generosity, and compassion for those in need.. Children who learn they can make a difference become adults who change the world for the better.
Sharing Love for the Common Good
The “common good” has been around since the time of Greek philosophers – the idea that if we all cooperate and work together, we can make the world a better place. And that is what you do so passionately with your children. You come together as a family and with friends, to make a difference in the world.
DGT 2021 Best Picks
We have such gratitude for our big-hearted community of families and partners that have supported us this past year. You are all inspirational in the ways you take what we create and find energy, space, and time to prioritize your values in teaching your children. This month, I want to spotlight DGT’s best creations of 2021.
Spread Kindness This Holiday Season
The last couple of years have overstretched our patience, creativity, and emotions. That means it is more important than ever to connect with others, spark kindness in one another, spread joy, love your neighbors, and remember compassion. Here are some ideas to bring kindness into your home this holiday season.
Gratitude in Transitions
Parting Words: Lessons I’ve Learned about Kindness and Kids
I am deeply grateful to all of you for understanding the profound impact that raising thoughtful, compassionate, engaged children has for their well-being – and that of our families and communities. Under MiaLisa’s leadership, we will continue to add tools and resources to make this practice integral to your lives.
Inviting Kindness and Joy to Dinner
Celebrate Summer with Guerilla Kindness!
Celebrate this almost-back-to-normal summer by savoring our togetherness and bringing a little joy to others. Choose one of the simple projects below to have some creative fun, while contributing to a community culture of encouragement and compassion. You never know how far these simple ripples of kindness will travel.
Put Your Child in Someone Else’s Shoes
Sliding into someone else’s shoes helps us understand another person’s motives and emotions. And it’s a critical skill: research suggests that those with this ability are better at making friends and forming social relationships. Not surprisingly, perspective-taking also makes us more inclined to help and to act with compassion. Fortunately, this is a skill that can be taught.