Play

"Who knew that we learn empathy, trust, irony, and problem solving through play — something the dictionary defines as 'pleasurable and apparently purposeless activity.' Dr. Stuart Brown suggests that the rough-and-tumble play of children actually prevents violent behavior, and that play can grow human talents and character across a lifetime. Play, as he studies it, is an indispensable part of being human."

This is taken from the On Being website introducing the in depth interview host Krista Tippett had with Dr. Stuart Brown.

Teachers Touching Lives

Teachers touch their students' lives everyday, and the teacher may never know how much until a student is well into adulthood. Recently, I wrote an article entitled "Teachers Touching Lives" because I received an email that surprised me to no end.

Whether you are a teacher or a parent, at some point in your life, a teacher made a difference in your life—a difference that has affected you forever.

How Children Succeed

Paul Tough, author of the NYTimes bestselling book How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, draws upon the work of Angela Duckworth (the grit and resilience guru), Dave Levin (KIPP founder), and Dominic Randolph (Head of Riverdale Country School) to demonstrate the importance of character and the non-cognitive characteristics of child development.

Fault in Our Stars - Part 2

It was a year ago when I read John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, a popular young adult book. Now #1 and 77 weeks on the NYTimes bestseller list, the book will debut as a movie this week. Below is the trailer.

Be sure to listen to npr's Neda Ulaby's interview with the 36-year old Green to learn what inspired him to write the story. Oh, it is also impressive to note that Looking For Alaska, Paper Towns, and An Abundance of Katherines by Green are in the top 10 on the bestseller list as well.

It Was the Children

"But I was most impressed with the children. The children were very eager to want to reach out and try to help me, in some way."

This quote is taken from an npr interview with Mormon Bishop David Musselman when he was disguised as a homeless person and stood outside of his church before the service as congregants entered the church. Listen to his powerful interview with npr's, Ari Shapiro.