Piano Benefits Body & Mind

July 13, 2022

"All the amazing things that playing piano does for your brain and body, in one graphic. Created by Encore Music Lessons in 2014, the infographic cites several scientific studies which point towards music lessons being good for your cognitive development. From spatial awareness, to emotional intelligence, to brain power, here’s how piano-playing might be doing more than you think..." ClassicFM

Can Random Acts of Kindness Increase Well-Being

March 31, 2022

Kindness is interesting, unlike an emotion such as happiness, or a feeling & action like gratitude, kindness is mostly a behavior or action. NOTE: Lots of good resources embedded in the article.

Why Social Learning Matters

March 2, 2022

“Allow yourself to learn from people, whoever they might be. Pay attention. Observe. Discuss. Doubt. Look for a deeper meaning. Read between the lines. We’re social beings who can only go forward from here.” 

How Arts Practices Can Be the Foundation of Teaching and Learning

January 30, 2022

Halverson argues not only do the arts belong in schools, but the core tenets of arts learning belong in every classroom.

What Does Intellectual Humility Look Like?

November 29, 2021

Research is uncovering the benefits of recognizing that you might be wrong, who tends to be humbler, and some hints about how to cultivate this skill.

Five Domains for Human Flourishing

October 31, 2021

One way to understand human flourishing is to break “complete human wellbeing” into its component parts (Happiness and life satisfaction, Mental and physical health, Meaning and purpose, Character and virtue, Close social relationships).

Why Making Music Matters

September 6, 2021

Music is fundamentally about being, playing, and growing together. Info is good for a musician, organization, parent, educator

How to be a Better Friend

May 31, 2021

Learn why friendships matter, how to sustain them. See links at the end of each section for additional articles.

The 16 Habits of Mind That Make You Smarter

May 3, 2021

The habits themselves are nothing new or revolutionary. Costa and Kallick (2008) believe these habits are less on behavior but more on intent.

45 Life Lessons From A 90-Year-Old

March 30, 2021

Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Learn Better with 10 Ways to Be a Better Learner

February 27, 2021

10 Ways to Be a Better Learner (Cobb, 2012) is a brief, action-oriented guide, grounded in research, to help you become a better learner.

Critical Thinking Skills

January 31, 2021

While critical thinking is a foundation rather than a brick, how you build that foundation depends on the learning process itself. Here are 25+ question stems framed around the early, non-revised Bloom’s Taxonomy (from teachthought.com)

Five Surprising Ways Exercise Changes Your Brain

January 1, 2021

Moving your body is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your mind. Exercise can help us find happiness, hope, connection, and courage.

Why Do We Feel Nostalgia?

January 1, 2021

Nostalgia was once considered an illness confined to specific groups of people. Today, people all over the world report experiencing and enjoying nostalgia.

What is Creativity?

November 30, 2020

Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. Cal State Northridge summarizes views of various authors.

Critical Thinking Cheatsheat

November 30, 2020

Critical thinking skills truly matter in learning. Why? Because they are life skills we use every day of our lives. Consciously developing them takes thought-provoking discussion and equally thought-provoking questions to get it going.

13 Smart Ways to Respond to Constructive Criticism

November 2, 2020

Before you get defensive, get curious. Receiving feedback without becoming defensive is a skill that can help you win in work and in life.

20 Questions to Help Answer Do You Know Who You Are?

November 2, 2020

Knowing who you are and what you stand for matters in everything you do. The greater the understanding you have of YOU, the more satisfied and successful you will be!

Why Friends Make Us Happier, Healthier People

October 1, 2020

While the true benefits of friendships can’t ever be measured (how do you calculate how much joy your best pal has brought to you over the years?), study after study shows that friendships boost our happiness and even our health. NOTE: See links at end of article for added reading.

7 Scientific Benefits of Helping Others

October 1, 2020

Volunteering your time, money, or energy to help others doesn’t just make the world better—it also makes you better. Studies indicate that the very act of giving back to the community boosts your happiness, health, and sense of well-being. Here are seven scientific benefits of lending a hand to those in need.

Grading and Sketchnotes

August 30, 2020

As more and more teachers start to share the skill of sketchnoting with their students, a question that naturally comes up is this one: Should you be grading your students’ sketchnotes? And if so, how? Doug Neiil (Verbal to Visual) shares his insights and sketches.

10 Ways to Be a Better Learner

August 30, 2020

Adopt the Right Mindset, Cultivate Your Network, Ask Questions, Take Notes, Set Goals, Practice Deliberately, Be Accountable, Use Tech Better, Mind Your Body, Embrace Responsibility

Personal IKIGAI Canvas

August 15, 2020

Kolmodin (2018) shares a tool to facilitate the Intersection of four core elements of ikigai...passion, mission, vocation, & profession.

Having a Pen Pal is Good Medicine

July 31, 2020

Writing letters — real letters, with pen and paper — studies on the benefits of writing support that it makes you stronger, both physically and emotionally.

36 Questions for Increasing Closeness

June 30, 2020

To feel more connected, skip the small talk and ask these questions instead. Note: There are some good questions AND some tough questions…worth a look.

Rec. Sports Contributes to Student Development

June 16, 2020

The sports environment as a mini-society/participatory model of life. Sports programming contributes to student development (applying Chickering’s vectors).

Masterpieces That Were Created During Times of Quarantine and Isolation

May 4, 2020

Famous creators used times of isolation & quarantine to create some of the world’s greatest works. Here are a few & the stories behind how they came to be.

How Do You Know?

April 25, 2020

I know because I did a study which framed an answerable question. I know because we share a common definition of what it means to know something.

40 Reasons Why Reading Makes You Better and Brighter

April 19, 2020

“Some people say that reading is the soul of life. For some it may be true, if you consider its blessings on your life and intellect.”

Greater Good Magazine: science-based insights for a meaningful life

April 2, 2020

Greater Good Magazine publishes a “happiness” calendar...A day-by-day guide to wellbeing. The search function for “happiness calendar” to see prior months.

Journey to a Healthier You

February 4, 2020

Read “How Do Health and Wellness Differ” first…followed by two articles on each of the 8 dimensions of wellness to enhance your personal sense of wellbeing.

Why is Physical Education a Student’s Most Important Subject?

January 22, 2020

Physical education has a transcendent value that is often undervalued. This TedTalk discusses the transformative impact of physical activity for youth by stating...“…robust physical education helps children become better learners, better versions of themselves and better people for tomorrow.”

The Science of Kindness

January 2, 2020

There are scientifically proven benefits to being kind! It is contagious, teachable, and makes you feel all fuzzy inside.

Benefits of Gratitude

December 2, 2019

Gratitude is no cure-all, but it is a massively underutilized tool for improving life-satisfaction and happiness. Lots of interesting info and links.

How to Journal Your Way to Success

November 25, 2019

There’s something to be said about the power of physically writing something down. Here are four paper journals to help you become more productive.

Creativity and Play

November 14, 2019

Tim Brown talks about the powerful relationship between creative thinking and play -- with many examples you can try (and one that maybe you shouldn't).

Benefits of Music Participation for Senior Citizens

November 1, 2019

This article is a review of the literature in the physical, psychological, and social benefits of active music participation for healthy senior citizens.

Writing Your Family History: 20 Reasons You Should

October 21, 2019

Have you thought about writing your family history? Nigro (2015) outlines 20 reasons why you should write your family history.

Reading is a Great Hobby for a Person to Grow

October 16, 2019

There are books for all age groups, so we are never too old or never too young to be reading. If we do not have a hobby of reading, start now!

4 Essential Questions to Ask

September 30, 2019

Cobb establishes 4 questions to consider on what it really means to be engaged in lifelong learning. The pursuit of answers IS lifelong learning.

Why a Simple Act of Thanks Can Dramatically Improve Your Life

September 21, 2019

An act of thanks can blossom into something more. Benefits of being thankful include enhancing social relationships, personal wellbeing & health.

World Without Teachers

September 15, 2019

Consider the question: What would the world be like without teachers. Honor teachers…they challenge and inspire us; they help shape who we become.

How High is Your Emotional Intelligence: Here’s How to Find Out

September 10, 2019

EQ stands for emotional quotient and is a measure of your emotional intelligence. Here’s what you need to know about how to determine—and increase—your own.

Why Adults Should Play

September 4, 2019

Play is a way of life that allows you to let your guard down, not be so serious and, as a result, connect better with others.

Learn, Garden & Reflect

August 30, 2019

Cornell Garden Based Learning project shares research findings on several key benefit areas of garden-based learning for youth, adults, & families.

Why People Who Doodle Pay More Attention (Body & Mind)

August 14, 2019

Contrary to popular belief, there are many benefits to doodling. Doodling helps you retain information, express creativity & improves wellbeing.

Doing Something Creative Can Boost Your Wellbeing

August 6, 2019

Suttie (2017) writes, "a new study suggests that small acts of creativity in everyday life increase our overall sense of well-being."

What Does Living Fully Really Look Like

July 30, 2019

Thoughts on living fully are shared by leaders around the world. Their perspective can be a guide to leading a fulfilled life.

13 Signs of High Emotional Intelligence

July 16, 2019

Wonder what emotional intelligence looks like? Bariso identifies a number of actions that illustrate how emotional intelligence appears in the real world.

Athletes and the Arts: What Musicians Can Learn From Athletes

June 22, 2019

A webinar discussing the integration of the science of sport and the performing arts. Similarities of sport athletes and performing artists explained.

Wellness Resources for Musicians

June 22, 2019

American Music Teacher Musician Wellness Series...annotated bibliography of resources for performers, players, and teachers.

Finding the Value in What People Have to Say

May 31, 2019

Valuing what people have to say from Halcolm’s Parables shared in Patton Qualitative evaluation and research methods (qualitative interviewing).

7 Dimensions of Wellness…Consider Your Response

May 10, 2019

Emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, physical, social & spiritual wellness statements to guide thought about personal development.

Personal Development Through Life Stages

May 10, 2019

Personal development depends on commitment to be open to experiences and reflect on the meaning of these experiences as a guide to personal evolution.

Hobbies…you do it because you enjoy it

May 9, 2019

Reading, writing, music, art, recreation, sports, gardening, & animals quotes to stimulate thought about wellness, lifelong learning & personal development.

Lifelong learning and adult educators

May 9, 2019

Lifelong learning concepts include learning style, life role, self-directed learning, adaptability & ability of adult learners.

The values of lifelong learning

May 9, 2019

Marian Wright Edelman delivered the commencement address, titled "The Values of Life-Long Learning, Civic Engagement, and Intellectual Leadership"

Strategies for Attitude Learning

May 9, 2019

Guide for understanding attitude learning includes cognitive, behavioral & affective components. Explanation of why attitude learning is important.

Building core capabilities for life

May 9, 2019

Exploration of the development & use of core capabilities — known as self-regulation skills — from early childhood into adolescence and adulthood.

Lifelong Learning…Your Way

May 9, 2019

Discussion of formal, non-formal, and informal learning. Are you a lifelong learner? What forms of learning do you prefer? How do you learn?

How to be a lifelong learner

April 29, 2019

How to be a lifelong learner: never stop learning. Reaping the rewards of higher education. Many people attribute their success to being lifelong learners.