kindness
MiaLisa Millares
Summertime Family Fun

As the summer starts, I have been thinking a great deal about how few summers we as parents have with our children. We only have one summer when they are infants, a few when they are toddlers, eight when they are children. The times I remember most from my childhood are the family activities done together in the times away from the routine of every day. When kindness is infused into those family activities, it makes them even more meaningful. Every summer is another opportunity to embrace this special, less-structured time we have with our kids, and a chance to enjoy the simple joys that a purpose-filled summer has to offer.

Summertime Family Fun
kindness
MiaLisa Millares
How to Bring Kindness With You on the Road

In May, many families are preparing for summer travel, mapping out routes, planning fun excursions and dreaming about time together as a family. What if, in addition to making plans for travel, we made plans for kindness as well? There is space for kindness to strangers and one another, generosity towards others, patience at stressful moments, and connection through new experiences. This summer, let’s make kindness part of the plan.

How to Bring Kindness With You on the Road
kindness
MiaLisa Millares
Connecting Like The Trees

Trees actually communicate with one another through this vast network, responding to needs in the community of trees. Just like plants, I think people are interconnected in the way our kindness ripples outward to the world and to one another. As we think about Earth Day approaching, I am intrigued by how our kindness can mirror nature and how we can work together for the common good. 

Connecting Like The Trees
kindness
MiaLisa Millares
Prioritizing Kindness Through Music

Music is a powerful tool. The lyrics can help us teach children compassion, caring, acceptance, connection and even empathy. Research shows that music is stored in long-term memory, which means that even when other memories fail us we can still access the melodies and lyrics of beloved songs to find comfort. Combining social justice with music creates an even more powerful tool to spread kindness through our communities.

Prioritizing Kindness Through Music
elementary schoolers, preschoolers, parenting, education, year in review
MiaLisa Millares
Music Brings Joy and Kindness to the World

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.

Music Brings Joy and Kindness to the World

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Making a Difference for Refugees

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It's not always easy to talk to children about challenging situations in the news. It should be done in a way that is honest -- but also makes children feel protected and empowered. Here are some tips.

 

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A Charity to Call Your Own

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Consider marking the new school year by choosing one local charity to "adopt" for the year. It could be a homeless shelter, an environmental organization, a care facility, an arts group or an early-childhood program. By next summer your whole family will have become conversant on the issues, had fun together, met some wonderful people and made your community better.

 

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Generosity: The Missing Piece of Money Literacy

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Plenty of experts have written about raising financially literate children, but surprisingly few mention the important role of generosity and sharing. Fortunately, no matter what your family income, it's easy to establish fun, meaningful family habits that teach children about giving.

 

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Create a Family Giving Circle

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Giving Circles make for fun and effective philanthropy, whether you have $5 or $500 to give. The idea is that individuals pool funds, then decide as a group where to donate. By creating a Family Giving Circle, you can use this same concept to teach your children about charitable giving. They'll love having a big say in donation decisions and will learn firsthand about this crucial way of sharing.