A Map Of How Emotions Influence Our Lives, Commissioned By The Dalai Lama. The five circles slowly pulsing on my screen are meant to visualize the entire core of human emotion. Fear. Disgust. Anger. Sadness. Enjoyment. Reductive? "The Dalai Lama and I have had a series of dialogues—we’re up to about 60 hours of one-on-one conversations—and in one of them, he said to me, ‘When we wanted to get to the new world, we need[ed] a map to get there. Ekman is a prominent psychologist whose studies on universal human expressions—the smiles and scowls we share across cultures—became foundational for the modern era of emotion research. The results became those five "continents" you see on the site today: fear, disgust, anger, sadness, and enjoyment. But they aren't purely empirical. In the atlas, the emotions are clinically detached from the viewer. As soon as you load the site, you'll see that the five core emotions seem to ebb and flow with a certain randomness, like planets that may or may not be influencing one another with their gravitational pull.
Why Teaching Kindness in Schools Is Essential to Reduce Bullying. Phrases like "random acts of kindness" and "pay it forward" have become popular terms in modern society. This could perhaps be best explained by those who have identified a deficiency in their lives that can only be fulfilled by altruism. It seems there are good reasons why we can't get enough of those addictive, feel-good emotions, as scientific studies prove there are many physical, emotional, and mental health benefits associated with kindness. As minds and bodies grow, it’s abundantly clear that children require a healthy dose of the warm-and-fuzzies to thrive as healthy, happy, well-rounded individuals. Patty O'Grady, PhD, an expert in neuroscience, emotional learning, and positive psychology, specializes in education. She reports: Kindness changes the brain by the experience of kindness. A great number of benefits have been reported to support teaching kindness in schools, best summed up by the following.
Happy, Caring Children Greater Sense of Belonging and Improved Self-Esteem. Teaching Kindness: More Than a Random Act. It's been a long time since I was in elementary school. But I can remember it like it was yesterday. I wasn't the cutest, skinniest or best-dressed girl. I wasn't even a popular girl, but I had an advantage; I could sing like "nobody's business," and my teachers loved that about me.
As a result, I think I was spared the bullying that could've come from classmates due to my lack of the aforementioned qualities. Times were tough in the late '60s. Not true for all girls in my class. I'll never forget one who was not spared the pain, the hurt and the bullying. I did my best to defend her when I could. The Kind Campaign Recently, I ran across a post about the Kind Campaign and their film, Finding Kind, and I knew that I had to share it. Take a minute to watch an excerpt of this moving film: In Finding Kind, filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, who met while in school at Pepperdine University, set out in a cross-country journey of discovery and education.
Mr. Tweed’s Good Deeds: An Unusual Counting Book about the Power of Small Kindnesses. By Maria Popova “A library is no place for three lost mice.” However anguishing the art of asking for help may be, little is more gladdening than the act of giving it. That’s the premise behind Mr. Tweed’s Good Deeds (public library) — a most unusual and gorgeously illustrated counting book by Jim Stoten, using Mr. Tweed’s small acts of kindness to teach kids the numbers and sneak in a subtle lesson on the power of grace. On his daily walk into town, Mr. Tweed encounters various friends and neighbors, each having misplaced something valuable or dear. Little Colin Rocodile is missing his one kite and Mrs. Mr. After a long day of small kindnesses for his friends and neighbors, Mr.
Mr. For sending young ones off into a different stage of life with the same message, see George Saunders’s fantastic commencement address on the power of kindness. Donating = Loving Bringing you (ad-free) Brain Pickings takes hundreds of hours each month. Brain Pickings has a free weekly newsletter. Share on Tumblr. Five-Minute Film Festival: Videos on Kindness, Empathy, and Connection. I'd like to offer up a video playlist to remind all of us about the power of empathy, kindness, and human connections. It's always a good time to practice gratitude for the relationships that sustain us all -- for the people who have taught us in a school setting and beyond, and for the young ones we are able to nurture and inspire.
I was also thinking about how many of us are living out the paradox of being ever more plugged in, and ever more aware of what's happening in our community via social media platforms, while at the same time, face-to-face interactions are less frequent than ever before. We are in constant touch, but barely touching. Watching these videos made me remember the importance of re-connecting, treating people with kindness and respect, and being generous and compassionate to both loved ones and strangers. Video Playlist: Kindness, Empathy, and Connection Watch the player below to see the whole playlist, or view it on YouTube. How stories can transform a classroom. When students conduct StoryCorps interviews, teachers say it can “reorganize the ions of a class.” Photo: David Andrako, courtesy of StoryCorps Caitlyn, a quiet seventh grader, was bullied by the other kids in her class at Luther Burbank Middle School in Burbank, California. She wore the same cowboy boots every day. “The other kids were awful about it,” said English teacher Rebecca Mieliwocki, remembering this student who has stayed lodged in her memory for 10 years now.
“Even the best kids can be horrible sometimes. It’s a jungle in middle school.” The law of the jungle, however, can change. When Caitlyn was in her class a decade ago, Mieliwocki introduced StoryCorps to her students. Caitlyn had interviewed her mom. “None of us knew any of this about her,” said Mieliwocki. The teasing stopped. “Telling our stories brought all of our lived realities into the classroom,” said Mieliwocki. StoryCorpsU launched in 2009 to echo that emotional transformation. Books That Teach Empathy (List) Jump to navigation "Best of" Lists "Best of" lists Get age-appropriate ideas and inspiration for every interest: Poll Did this specific Top Picks list help you decide to do any of the following?
Let your child watch/play/read/listen to a particular media title 41% (974 votes) NOT let your child watch/play/read/listen to a particular media title 15% (348 votes) Buy, rent, or download a particular media title 23% (555 votes) Did not impact my decision 22% (522 votes) Total votes: 2399 Learning ratings Best: Really engaging; great learning approach.Very Good: Engaging; good learning approach.Good: Pretty engaging; good learning approach.Fair: Somewhat engaging; OK learning approach.Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.
Find out more Share this List SaveSign In or Join to save for later Books That Teach Empathy Teaching kids empathy is one of the most important jobs of being a parent. Browse Books That Teach Empathy csm_book Bully. Bully (Age 3+) The Invisible Boy (Age 6+) Charlotte's Web (Age 7+) Junonia (Age 9+) Mockingbird (Age 10+) Buddha's Brain (Age 15+) Notes to Each Other (Age 17+) Life of Pi (Age 16+) A Small Act. When Hilde Back sponsored a young, rural Kenyan student, she thought nothing of it.
She certainly never expected to hear from him, but years later, she does. Now a Harvard graduate and a Human Rights Lawyer for the United Nations, Chris Mburu decides to find the stranger that changed his life. Inspired by her generosity he starts a scholarship program of his own, which gives a new generation of Kenyan students the hope of affording an education. With clarity and grace, A Small Act, bears witness to the ripple effect one singular action can have. Secretary-General [Ban Ki-Moon] PRAISED [THE] FILM, for "highlighting the importance of giving all children an education in the fight against ignorance and bigotry.
" "A Small Act is such A POWERFUL FILM to use in classrooms across the globe. "A PRECIOUS AND INSPIRING TALE"—The Hollywood Reporter "REMARKABLE"—The Huffington Post "POWERFUL"—Christian Science Monitor. La Source. In La Source (pronounced lah-soos), Haiti water does not come easily. Each day, villagers of this small, rural community must choose between enduring a long, treacherous walk to retrieve clean water or drink contaminated water from a nearby river. For over 30 years, the villagers have attempted to address this problem by constructing a means of channeling the water from a natural spring in the mountains, but with limited funding and an unsupportive government their attempts to provide clean water were to no avail. Since he was a teenager, Josue Lajeunesse, along with his brother Chrismedonne have dreamt of remedying this problem for their people.
In 1989, Josue moved from La Source to New Jersey where he found employment as a custodian at Princeton University. First introduced to audiences in Director Patrick Shen’s critically-acclaimed and multiple awardwinning documentary, The Philosopher Kings, Josue Lajeunesse has inspired thousands through his story of selflessness and resilience.
A Place At The Table. Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine the issue of hunger in America through the lens of three people struggling with food insecurity: Barbie, a single Philadelphia mother who grew up in poverty and is trying to provide a better life for her two kids; Rosie, a Colorado fifth-grader who often has to depend on friends and neighbors to feed her and has trouble concentrating in school; and Tremonica, a Mississippi second-grader whose asthma and health issues are exacerbated by the largely empty calories her hardworking mother can afford. Ultimately, A PLACE AT THE TABLE shows us how hunger poses serious economic, social and cultural implications for our nation, and that it could be solved once and for all, if the American public decides — as they have in the past — that making healthy food available and affordable is in the best interest of us all.
"BEAUTIFULLY SHOT AND EDITED. THE CRAFT IS OF A VERY HIGH LEVEL" — Toronto HotDocs Film Festival Must See. One Lucky Elephant. Ultimately, David must face the difficult truth that the circus is no place for Flora. She needs to be with other elephants. The road to Flora's retirement, however, is a difficult and emotional journey that tests their bond in unexpected ways. Ten years in the making, One Lucky Elephant explores the consequences of keeping wild animals in captivity, while never losing sight of the delicate love story at its heart. Official Selection, Oprah Winfrey Network Documentary Film Club "A PARABLE OF PACHYDERMISH PROPORTIONS, "One Lucky Elephant" is a bittersweet story of man, beast and a very real relationship that makes helmer Lisa Leeman's documentary the thinking person's "Dumbo"—and, coincidentally, one of the better kids' movies on the fest circuit.
"—John Anderson, VARIETY "Bottom Line: A TIMELY, EMOTIONALLY ENGAGING LOOK at interspecies bonds. " "A POIGNANT, HEART-FELT TALE about the shared life journey of a man and an elephant. Promises. A beautiful and deeply moving portrait of seven Palestinian and Israeli children. Emmy award-winning and Academy award-nominated, PROMISES follows the journey of a filmmaker who meets these children in and around Jerusalem, from a Palestinian refugee camp to an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.
Although they live only 20 minutes apart, these children exist in completely separate worlds, divided by physical, historical and emotional boundaries. PROMISES explores the nature of these boundaries and tells the story of a few children who dared to cross the lines to meet their neighbors. The children of PROMISES offer refreshing, personal and sometimes humorous insight into the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. With remarkable balance and a compelling blend of pathos and humor, this Oscar-nominated, Emmy Award winning film moves the conflict out of politics and into the realm of the human.
Quotes "EXTRAORDINARY! " "Stunning and Powerful! "Deeply touching...a movie that changes you. " "SUPERB! " Super WHY! (Age 3+) Bully (Age 13+) Pay It Forward (Age 13+) Temple Grandin (Age 14+) Herotopia (Age 7+) Habitat for Humanity (Age 8+) Half the Sky Movement (Age 13+) DoSomething.org (Age 16+) 6 Steps to Build Kindness and Resilience in Children. Random Acts of Kindness (for educators) Games That Support Kindness and Compassion. Close(x) Don’t Miss Out You’re all set! Look out for our weekly updates soon.
Connect with us Jump to navigation "Best of" Lists "Best of" lists Get age-appropriate ideas and inspiration for every interest: Poll Did this specific Top Picks list help you decide to do any of the following? Let your child watch/play/read/listen to a particular media title 41% (763 votes) NOT let your child watch/play/read/listen to a particular media title 14% (257 votes) Buy, rent, or download a particular media title 23% (435 votes) Did not impact my decision 22% (401 votes) Total votes: 1856 About our rating system ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age. Find out more Learning ratings Share this List FavoriteSign In or Sign Up to add favorites Games That Support Kindness and Compassion More: 18 TV Shows and Movies That Promote Empathy csm_app Wee You-Things My DPS.
Wee You-Things (Age 2+) Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster (Age 4+) Touch and Learn Emotions (Age 4+) Middle School Confidential (Age 11+)