Daily Reading Here’s an old Shinto story: “An emperor named Nintoku lived a life of luxury in an elaborate and beautiful palace. One day he looked out over the land and realized there was no smoke rising from the houses of the common people, which was a sign they were so poor they lacked fireplaces. …
Few things are as beneficial for physical, mental, and spiritual health as exercise. One review of 30 studies found that exercise consistently decreases the likelihood of depression in kids and teens — with no negative side effects. Another review of 15 studies found that kids who exercise regularly enjoy a reduction in attention hyperactivity disorder. …
But how do you persuade kids to get exercise? Part of the answer lies in the root of the word persuade, which originally meant “to make sweet or pleasant.” That is, you have to turn it from a chore into something fun. What’s the best way to play with kids? It’s a strange question because …
Humans have been dancing together for ages, as seen in cave paintings created more than 13,000 years ago. Why? Because it feels good. Researchers and therapists confirm what our ancient ancestors must have intuited. “Dance is an antidote to stress, a way to combat negative emotions, an elixir for the body, mind, and brain,” write …
Family Dance Parties: A Underrated Way to a Happy Home Read More »
What would you do if your kid said they persistently felt sad or hopeless? Tragically, it’s common. The percent of U.S. high school students who say they feel this way rose from 28% in 2004 to 44% in 2021, marking a trend none of us want. We all expect life to have low moments. It’s …
What Is Spiritual Parenting? (Or How to Connect in a Disconnected Age) Read More »
Lisa Miller, professor of psychology at Columbia University, writes about the intersection of science and spirituality — an emerging field with promising results. In her breakthrough book, The Spiritual Child: The New Science for Parenting and Lifelong Thriving, she outlines how to teach spirituality to kids so they find joy, purpose, and meaning in life. “What …
Spirituality For Kids: How to Nurture Your Kids’ Spirituality Read More »
How to Spark Creativity in Kids: Attitudes and Activities One of the biggest struggles parents face in a digital world is how to help their kids develop creativity. When faced with the prospect of creating something new versus simply putting on Netflix, the temptation to press play is a real one. However, research shows that …
How to Spark Creativity in Kids: Attitudes and Activities Read More »
How to Explore Wisdom Texts With Kids Imagine sitting around a campfire a thousand years ago, singing sacred hymns or listening to a storyteller weave a tale about a hero from long ago. Such activities have been so valuable that cultures around the world painstakingly preserved their version of wisdom in poetry and prose. Initially, …
At the start and end of each Uplift lesson we suggest doing a mindful moment: Lighting a candle, singing a song, expressing gratitude, etc. Of course, these mindful moments don’t have to be limited to the beginning or ending of a lesson. You can use them whenever you’d like — including when you don’t have …
Mindful Moments With Kids: Simple Practices to Bring Presence Read More »
In our latest Uplift Live series, Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife joined Michelle Larson, Uplift cofounder, to discuss how to talk to kids about sex. Dr. Finlayson-Fife is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois with a Ph.D in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. While she specializes in helping clients within her faith tradition, her insights are …
10 Principles to Help You Talk to Your Kids About Sex Read More »