We wish everyone a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday season! Whatever traditions or beliefs your families hold, this is the time of year when many of us can pause, reflect, and celebrate that the long nights of winter are already getting…
Last week, in anticipation of an unprecedented Thanksgiving experience, we published a special holiday blog post. The post was composed of crowdsourced stories, featuring individuals’ efforts to safely create positive experiences during a socially distanced time. Our first story came…
Thanksgiving in 2020 is proving to be very challenging for many families. The dangers of spreading Covid-19 to loved ones is keeping families apart, and many are facing significant economic challenges. Yet, we know families and children across the nation…
More and more evidence points to the important role positive childhood experiences play in child development. Today’s blog post is based off of an interview with Dr. Ron Ferguson, founder and president of The Basics (a public health approach to…
A growing body of work recognizes the important health effects of highlighting and creating positive childhood experiences. Today’s blog post makes the scientific case for this, based off of an interview with Dr. Kanwaljeet Anand, professor of pediatrics and anesthesiology…
HOPE knows that all families, communities, and cultures have inherent strengths. In recent webinars with The Montana Institute, we’ve learned real world examples of this from co-presenters at the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC). Zhawin Gonzalez, or Wasegabo, is…
This past spring, we began blogging about ways to look at the world from a child’s eyes, in order to make sure they’re having the positive childhood experiences that they need to grow and be healthy, even in the face…
Key takeaways This interview features Anna Hadingham, educator and theater artist working with the Apollinaire theater company, the Chelsea Collaborative, and Peronia Adolescente. Theater and community-based art can be accessible tools that build belonging, critical thinking, and healing. In violent…
Key takeaways This interview features Sarah Gaither, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University. Infants as young as three months show awareness of racial differences, and by preschool, children may already develop strong in-group…
Key takeaways This interview features Brooke Adams who works with underserved populations getting to and through college. University staff with shared lived experiences with underserved populations and first-generation students are essential for building resilience and belonging. It is important to…