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Category: Advice

  • The Future of Libraries in High Schools: More Than Just Books

    The Future of Libraries in High Schools: More Than Just Books

    School libraries can be very useful places. If you are researching a subject for a project or want a good book to read, you can probably find what you want in the library. However, high school libraries are about more than just books. Whether you need materials that you do not have at home or need help in putting a project together, high school libraries can be good places to go.

    In the past, most libraries in schools had a teacher librarian in charge. Teacher librarians normally had degrees in both education and librarianship to give them the background they needed to help students find materials and to use them in the best possible way. Even now, despite budget cuts in many schools, library staff members are often well prepared to do more than just direct students to a shelf of books.

    Many libraries now have a variety of materials for students to use. Computers often have Internet connections, as well as databases on a variety of topics. For example, the History Reference Center is useful especially for American history, but also for other topics. Global Issues in Context is a good place to start for researching current events and the impact that they have on daily life in Canada and the rest of the world.

    Some students might wonder why people need libraries or databases when the Internet has most of the information they need. One problem can be finding that information. When a Web search results in a million or more sites to look at, it can be difficult to find the best places to look. For example, a student working on a project dealing with the history of Sweden might retrieve information instead on cooking or sports. Using a library database or books on the country is likely to help students focus on the information they need.

    Periodicals can also be good sources of information. Magazines like Maclean’s have information about Canadian politics and current issues, and magazines directed specifically towards teenagers deal with issues that are important for that age group.

    Reliability is another question. Although books and databases can also be unreliable, they have at least gone through an editing and selection process that can help to make them a reliable source of information. The librarian and other school staff have also likely chosen what they consider to be the best options among the various materials available to them. The Internet, in contrast, is largely unregulated and can have very unreliable information.

    Education is about much more than just learning facts about history, English literature, or science. It is also about learning skills that people need later in life. For example, a history project can teach students organizational skills in addition to the facts about Confederation in Canada or the ancient pharaohs of Egypt. A good school library should have study guides or staff to help students learn the skills they need for researching a subject or putting information together clearly and concisely.

    Many schools have made substantial cuts to school libraries to help deal with tight budgets and limited resources. However, students can still find many good resources and use their school libraries to learn important skills for the future.

     

    Bibliography:

    Canadian School Library Journal. “Future of the School Library Learning Commons.” https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/future-of-the-school-library-learning-commons/.

    Ex Libris. “Three Trends Shaping the Future of Libraries.” https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/three-trends-future.

    The Hamilton Spectator. “More Than Just Books: Libraries Are Important Social Hubs, New Report Finds.” https://www.thespec.com/news/canada/more-than-just-books-libraries-are-important-social-hubs-new-report-finds/article.

    Knapp, Maggie. “Just for Reference: Must-Have Databases for School Research.” https://www.slj.com/story/must-have-databases-for-school-research.

    Lynch, Matthew. “Libraries of the Future: Where Trends are Taking K-12 Public School Libraries.” https://www.theedadvocate.org/libraries-of-the-future-where-trends-are-taking-k-12-public-school-libraries/.

  • The Importance of Safety Training in the Skilled Trades

    The Importance of Safety Training in the Skilled Trades

    While every workplace requires safety training for its employees, this is particularly important for those who work in the skilled trades.  Every workplace comes with some risks, whether you work in an office or out in the field.  But the prevalence of heavy labour, machinery and equipment, and occasionally harsh conditions in many trades jobs means an increased chance of having an accident leading to injury or worse — and therefore a greater need for stringent, in-depth safety training.

    Safety training is required for all employees, from workers and contractors to supervisors, and should be supplied by the employer in accordance with requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).  Some safety training can be taught by a qualified internal person, but other high-risk or more in-depth training can be arranged through external third-party training and certification providers.  Types of safety training include both general workplace safety training (e.g., WHMIS, workplace violence and harassment training, or fire safety) and site-specific or project/role-specific hazards training (e.g., forklift safety, scaffolding safety, excavation safety).  Safety training will also ensure you know what safety equipment is required for the job, and how to wear it safely and effectively.

    Comprehensive safety training in the trades has many important aspects.  First, it ensures that you know what risks are inherent in the job, how common they are, and how to avoid or mitigate those risks.  Safety training will teach you what to watch for in your work environment, how to perform a task correctly and safely or operate a piece of equipment (e.g., operate a forklift), and most importantly will teach you what NOT to do to stay safe on the job site.

    Safety training is intended to prevent unsafe behaviour in the workplace. This includes teaching you how to identify an unsafe action or environment, how to act safely yourself, and how to report an unsafe situation to a superior.  You will also have the tools to recognize unsafe behaviour by others.  The goal is to reduce accidents and injuries on the job site, and ideally eliminate them.

    It is also important to remember that all workers have the right to refuse to do work that they believe to be unsafe. In this situation, you should immediately report your concerns to a supervisor.

    Lastly, safety training includes information on how to communicate about workplace safety – whether that is discussing risks and safety requirements with your coworkers, or reporting safety concerns to your supervisor, WSIB, or an OHSA representative.

    Remember, regardless of which trade you work in — whether you’re a carpenter, electrician, hairstylist, or another trade — you have the right to a safe workplace and to insist on receiving the correct health and safety training for your role.

     

    Sources

    https://www.thesafetymag.com/ca/topics/technology/5-reasons-why-safety-training-is-important-in-construction/408703

    https://www.ihsa.ca/pdfs/products/W001-Training-Requirements-Chart.pdf

    https://www.labourly.ca/recruiter-guide-to-skilled-trades-health-and-safety/

  • Top Destinations for Canadian Students to Travel to in 2024

    Top Destinations for Canadian Students to Travel to in 2024

    By Natasha Cooper

    Whether they are getting away from the cold, visiting relatives, or taking their studies abroad; Canadian students love to travel. And why shouldn’t they? Canadian passports are recognized as one of the most valuable documents in the world, giving their holders the ability to travel to over 180 countries.  Additionally, Canadians generally receive warm welcomes in the many destinations they might travel to due to the generally great global reputation of Canada.  Even if you are simply travelling for fun, going to new places, and experiencing new cultures is a valuable form of education in itself and can equip young people and students with a certain independence and understanding of the world around them.  If you are a Canadian student looking for some recommended places to travel to, here is a list of some of the top destinations for Canadian students.

    Japan

    A 2023 study conducted by American Express revealed Japan seems to be one of the fastest-growing destinations among the Millennial and Gen Z generations. This is not too surprising as Japan has many qualities that may be enticing to younger Canadians. Japan provides its visitors with a glimpse into its culture of rich ancient history and traditions blended with innovative infrastructure and cities. However, this spike in Japanese tourism does not just apply to major cities like Tokyo or Osaka.  Pristine beaches and snowy mountains also attract the masses. More and more avid skiers are seeing Japan as one of the most desirable spots in the world to hit the slopes, which has resulted in growth in their skiing industry.  Japan has a rich history, large cities that are fascinating tech hubs, culinary delights, and beautiful scenery all over the country.  There is much to see and learn in Japan that makes the long trip certainly worthwhile for Canadian students.

    Australia

    Australia is another destination Canadian students might want to consider for their travels abroad. The land down under has plenty to offer, their stunning natural landscape and wildlife provide ample opportunities for exciting and memorable outdoor excursions.  In many ways Australia is quite similar to Canada — they are a former British colony making them English speakers like us, and they have large diverse cities and beautiful, vast scenery. Unlike Canada however, November through to March in Australia brings sunshine and tropical weather, making it an excellent choice for a winter getaway.  There are also many opportunities for Canadians in Australia to both study or work like working holiday visas specifically for people under 34 to be able to go to Australia and work while exploring the beautiful country.

    The U.S.

    The United States can offer Canadian students many new experiences and opportunities, while also staying fairly close to home.  Our neighbours to the South have no shortage of iconic cities, national parks, and cultural gems to experience. Whether it’s hiking the Grand Canyon, or experiencing the vibrant energy in New York City, The U.S. has something for all kinds of interests or bucket list goals.  Each state has something different to offer, and they all have their own niche histories and specialties to explore.  The U.S. is also a great place for road-tripping, an engaging and often affordable way for students to experience multiple states during one trip to the U.S.  Of course, it should be mentioned that America is also home to some of the world’s top-ranked universities with many scholarships and financial aid programs designated for Canadian students. A trip to the U.S. could also result in valuable networking opportunities that can open doors in the future of a Canadian student.

    Japan, Australia, and The U.S. are only a few of the many options Canadian students should consider when making plans to travel abroad.  They all have beautiful sights to see, rich educational options, and distinct cultural identities to learn about.  Regardless of where or why Canadian students travel, it is important to immerse oneself in the cultures of other people.  Embracing the unknown and connecting with people from around the world is key to being both a good student and Canadian.

  • Optimizing Your Home Workspace for Productivity and Health

    Optimizing Your Home Workspace for Productivity and Health

    What’s great about having a home workspace is that you have the control to make it as ideal as it can be for you. When it’s ideal, it can not only benefit how you work but also provide a healthier situation. Unfortunately, many home workspaces aren’t reaching this potential because busy schedules or other areas of life take priority. As a result, plans for any sort of refashioning often get put on hold. Nonetheless, when there is time for making these changes, it’s difficult to know where to start since there’s typically a lot to address. If this is what you’ve been thinking about and you’re interested in optimizing your home workspace for productivity and health, here are some tips:

    Clear Out What You No Longer Need

    Health-wise, being in a cluttered environment could induce discomfort/anxiety, which would not help, particularly during times when work is stressful. Therefore, it’s a good idea to clear out notes, paperwork and/or supplies you don’t need anymore. It can also be very satisfying knowing you’re getting rid of everything that has been unnecessarily taking up space.

    It’s additionally a good opportunity to reorganize if the way things are placed does not function well for you. For instance, you could replace multiple binders with one or two accordion file holders (though this depends on how much paper each one has inside). Another suggestion is to categorize your shelves so what’s on them is easier to look for.

    Consider Rearranging the Furniture For A Better Flow And To Add Other Pieces

    Do you think that the flow of your workspace could be better? If so, consider rearranging the furniture in it. Not only would taking this on make the workspace easier to move around in, but it may also create more space for other useful pieces that you might’ve been thinking of incorporating. Has having a vision board to organize your thoughts, ideas, and goals ever crossed your mind?  Is your desk in a spot against a wall where you’d like to put a vision board?

    Change/Improve The Aesthetic

    Updating the space’s aesthetic to match your current tastes could improve your mood when you’re in it and therefore could boost productivity. Is your workspace in need of additions such as plants or some artwork? How about nice photos that feature family and friends? It’s always beneficial when you’re able to increase the amount of enjoyment you experience when entering a space and updating the look will likely help achieve this. You can also research interior design-related videos on home workspaces online for inspiration. There’s a good chance that you’ll find good do-it-yourself options.

    When your designated space for working at home serves you well, it can positively affect your productivity and health. If this is currently not the case or it can be even better, you’re able to adopt pragmatic, helpful measures. Tidying up, rearranging furniture, and changing the aesthetic are ways of meeting your needs in that respect. Overall, if you consider the suggestions above, you’re on track to successfully becoming a more productive and health-conscious worker in your revitalized home workspace.

  • Combining Work and Study: Is It Sustainable?

    Combining Work and Study: Is It Sustainable?

    By: Avreet Jagdev

    At a certain point in their educational career, often in high school or post-secondary, many students find themselves facing a tough decision: is it possible for them to work and study at the same time? How can you do both sustainably? What are important things to know and consider? Let’s break it down.

    Working is not always just an option.

    For many students, working during school is not just an option, but is necessary. Whether it’s to cover tuition, rent, or other living expenses, many students find themselves having no option but to balance both work and school – and it is important to recognize that not everyone has the privilege of making a choice.

    Choosing what to prioritize

    Before you begin to work while in school, reflect on which of the two is more important to you as an individual. Some students may see school as their top priority, but others may see working as more important. Some may see the two as equally important. Understanding what your priorities are is key, as it will allow you to make the decisions that are right for you. For example, if you prioritize work, you may choose to take a lighter course load, or if you prioritize studying, you may set a maximum number of hours for you to work a week.

    The right job makes a difference.

    Working during school can be more sustainable depending on the job you choose. Some jobs may be more demanding, both physically and time-wise. If possible, look for job opportunities that are flexible and accommodating of students. Examples include working as a front desk receptionist, freelance tutor, or library assistant. These jobs are often geared towards students, and you may even have some downtime while on the clock, allowing you to study while you are at work!

    Appeal to your skill set

    In general, the best jobs are the ones that align with you and your skills. Think about what you bring to the table, and what your unique skills and talents may be. If you can find a job that aligns with these skills and talents, it can make it easier to balance school at the same time, in addition to making your work more enjoyable.

    Jobs meant for students.

    Many jobs are meant specifically for students, especially on-campus positions such as assistants for a specific department, building, or library. These roles are often accommodating of student schedules and understand that school is a priority for many. They may also be closer in proximity, if you are someone who is on campus a lot, reducing the time spent commuting to work.

    Mastering Time Management

    Time management is an important skill for students in general, but especially for those who balance both work and school. If you are working, you will naturally have less time to commit to school, so it is important to use the time you have wisely. There are many time management strategies to choose from, but it is important to do what is more effective for you and your lifestyle. You may choose to use a planner, or an app on your phone to stay organized, for example. Other helpful strategies include time blocking, to-do lists, and the Pomodoro method.

  • Work-Life Balance: Implementing Work Boundaries in a Remote Setting

    Work-Life Balance: Implementing Work Boundaries in a Remote Setting

    The world had changed in many ways since 2020 and the pandemic – especially in the working world.  For young people who are now entering the workforce for the first time, you’re joining a working world vastly different than that of your parent’s generation.  Hybrid and remote workplaces abound; some companies that went fully remote in 2020 remain so, while others are beginning to create hybrid office/work-from-home structures that can offer appealing flexibility and convenience.

    But remote work has its own challenges, especially when it comes to separating your work life from your home life when both are taking place inside the same house or apartment.  It may be nice to have a 30-second commute to your desk, and the flexibility to shift the hours you work or step away for an errand or appointment.  But the danger here is that your personal time and work time will all blend together, leading to less efficient work and less relaxing life.

    This is why setting boundaries is important, especially for young workers who are eager to impress at a new job.  While it’s important to be present and productive in a remote work job, having appropriate boundaries will help maintain a healthy work-life balance.

    While there are lots of ways to set boundaries around remote working, two of the broader ways to do this are establishing your work hours and defining your workspace.

    Clearly Establish Your Working Hours

    One important way to set boundaries while working remotely is to clearly establish your working hours.  Speak with your boss about your schedule and settle on working hours that work for you – and then stick to them.  This means being available and responsive within your established workday, and notifying your boss or teammates if you will be unavailable unexpectedly (such as stepping out for an appointment).

    Establishing clear working hours also means resisting the urge to work “after hours” during what should be your personal time.  While emergencies can happen in any job which may require working late once in a while, both you and your coworkers should respect your off-hours and leave any non-emergency work until the next workday.

    It can be difficult, especially for young adults new to the workforce, to say “no” when it comes to work tasks, but learning to do so politely and professionally is important to maintaining your boundaries and your work-life balance.

    Define Your Workspace

    This one can be tricky, especially if you’re living in a small apartment or sharing a house with other people.  When working remotely, it is a good idea to clearly define your workspace within your home, and then keep your work time and work activities there.

    While having a separate room with a door that you can use as an office is ideal, not everyone has that option.  Even if you’re a bit strapped for space, try to set up a desk or table as your workspace.  Having a designated workspace makes it easier to separate “work time” from “personal time” by whether you’re sitting at your workspace or not – similar to how in a traditional workplace, when you leave your desk at the end of the day, you’re no longer on “work time.”

    This also helps with productivity, as it will be easier to get into a work-mode mindset when you have a specific place to work, and makes it easier for your mind to relax on your off-hours because you’re not sitting at your workspace.

  • Building Resilience in Children: Strategies for Teachers and Parents

    Building Resilience in Children: Strategies for Teachers and Parents

    Without question, having resilience remains necessary as working through challenges is a part of life. It’s best to begin building resilience early on, meaning during childhood, so that more opportunities to build are seized and individuals will likely end up better equipped for these inevitable challenges. Teachers as well as parents have this responsibility since they’re usually the most influential figures in children’s lives. However, it can be a feat that’s tricky to approach. If you’ve been thinking about this and you’re a teacher or parent looking for advice on building resilience in your children, here are some strategies:

    Help Them Improve Their Self-Esteem

    Self-esteem can be linked to resilience. If children have confidence in themselves, there’s a better chance of them believing that they’re able to overcome the obstacles they encounter.

    Introduce Healthy Ways of Handling Disappointment/Negative Emotions

    One effective way is changing their perspective. For instance, if/when they’re initially disappointed by a certain outcome, such as losing a game or getting lower grades than expected, encourage them to see the positive side(s) of it.

    Some questions that could be asked in cases like these are:

    • What did you learn?
    • What would you do next time for a better result? (If applicable)
    • Could the outcome have been worse?

    When building resilience in children, also ensuring that they learn how to process negative emotions so they’re more knowledgeable about navigating them going forward is crucial. Using outlets including journalling, drawing, and discussing the experience with someone remain good options for expressing themselves as well as making sense of what they’re feeling. Overall, children shouldn’t stifle their feelings to build resilience. It should encompass gaining proper tools for coping with these feelings in order to not only successfully continue on, but also do so in a healthier way.

    Provide Continuous Guidance And Support

    Building resilience may look/seem different depending on the child, but providing continuous guidance and support when engaging with what’s stated above regardless is important. This process will likely be ongoing due to the various types of difficult experiences they’ll face, so even if you’re seeing desired results your job may not necessarily be done. Being available to guide at any time during these moments definitely makes a difference.

    Ideal as well as reasonable goals to work toward as a parent or teacher include:

    • Finding a balance between remaining supportive and not providing too much intervention when the child faces certain challenges.
    • Establishing that there is (or will be) an expectation for them to manage some difficult emotions, experiences, setbacks, etc. responsibly but also them understanding that they’re not alone in it.

    Building resilience in children is a very important and at times difficult task that teachers and parents must take on. A good combination of strategies to tackle it includes improving their self-esteem, determining what healthy methods of coping with their negative emotions work best, and providing support and guidance throughout the process while having feasible goals in this respect. All in all, if you consider using these suggested strategies, you’re on your way to effectively building resilience in the children you teach or your own.

  • Loneliness in the Age of the Internet

    Loneliness in the Age of the Internet

    By Bhargavi Venkataraman

    With access to millions of people’s thoughts, likes, dislikes, interests, and lives at your fingertips, it seems like this age of humanity should give rise to the most connected population since the beginning of mankind. However, research and conversations around loneliness with social media tell a very different story.

    Since its invention in the 1900s, the Internet has played a crucial role in education, work, and leisure. While it has had numerous beneficial effects such as improving efficiency and communication across professions, in the 1990s it sparked debate on whether Internet use harms participation in community life and social relationships and increases loneliness. Loneliness can be defined as an unpleasant sensation arising from lack of adequate social contact and relationships. It can have detrimental effects on health by elevating stress levels, causing mental health disorders and contributing to physical health issues as a result.

    Studies have shown that greater internet use is associated with lowered communication with family, a reduction in the size of social circles, and depression and loneliness. This may be due to people investing too much time online and as a result, too little time with their real life relationships or contrarily, lonely people find themself online more as they are seeking connectedness, companionship, and community membership. This is a phenomenon that has been exacerbated with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the extent that loneliness was considered as a major public health issue during this time.

    My personal experience with social media is that it has the potential to both be a boon and a curse. I am grateful for it in times like when long distance from friends and family or when connecting with communities you would never otherwise have a chance to meet. However, the problems arise when it starts inciting feelings of FOMO and loneliness after prolonged use and when it preoccupies me to the point that I start losing contact with my real-life connections. At times like this, it seems like my only choice is to completely rid myself of the issue and get off social media.

    To begin, I only really use 3 forms of social media: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Of these, I find that I predominantly use Facebook for its messaging capabilities, Instagram to stay updated with friends and TikTok for entertainment. As such, the first platform that I shut off is TikTok. I thoroughly enjoy scrolling on TikTok and have found so many accounts that connect me to things I am not always able to access in real life such as videos of my homeland. However, when I notice that I’m spending too much time online, I think I could afford to lose those connections and replace them with conversations with my family. Next, I shut off Instagram. I find that this is especially necessary to limit FOMO from seeing everyone’s stories and posts. While it does restrict my interactions with friends, sometimes it is necessary to ask them to message me on a dedicated messages app like through iMessage. I only close Facebook when I am doing a full social media cleanse as I don’t find that it creates many negative feelings in me. It mostly acts as a tool to connect with friends. However, during a cleanse, it might be beneficial to delete it just to prevent any temptations.

    Considering all this information, an important question that arises is, what can you do about this issue? The most obvious solution is limiting use of social media, much as I had done previously. While the extent of the limitation might differ according to individual preferences and capabilities, research evidence backs up the fact that cutting back on social media use can have a positive impact on wellbeing. One study looked at cutting back on Facebook use for a month in 3,000 regular Facebook users. The results showed that people missed the online interaction on the platform but observed benefits such as lowered online activity (including in other social media platforms) and increased offline activities such as spending time with loved ones or watching TV alone.

    Overall, deactivating Facebook seemed to improve subjective well-being by about 25-40% as much as regular psychological interventions. Another study was done in the University of Pennsylvania with 143 undergraduate students who were asked to follow their regular social media use for 3 weeks or limit Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat use to 10 minutes each per day. Results showed that the group with limited use had reductions in loneliness and depression compared to the control group and that both groups experienced less FOMO and anxiety than their baseline.

    As such, in this age of technology and social media, loneliness is an unfortunate side effect of extensive online activity. While it may not be realistic for everyone to do a complete social media cleanse, I highly recommend giving moderated social media use a try. You can do this through self-monitoring, try it out with a friend to keep you accountable or download apps like AppBlock, Flipd, Focus, etc. to help you stay on track. No matter the method, it is sure to have some benefits to your wellbeing!

  • Making a Career Transition in Mid-Life

    Making a Career Transition in Mid-Life

    Choosing a lifelong career can be difficult, especially since situations can change and people can make wrong choices. However, people can change careers, even in mid-life. If they manage the transition well, a career change in mid-life can be an exciting and fulfilling time.

    People often choose a career when they are still quite young. Sometimes, they can find good jobs in that career and to stay in it for years, but not everyone is able to find work in their chosen field, or even any field at all. Precarious employment or losing a job can prompt people to look for work in something new. They might think of the new career as temporary while they wait for a better job market in their chosen field, or they might decide to make a complete break with their first career to concentrate on the new one.

    Even without a job loss, people might decide to make a career change because of circumstances in their lives. They might be injured and unable to continue in a physically demanding job. They might switch to a less time-consuming job to care for elderly parents or for grandchildren. As people age, they might want more leisure to take care of their own health or to finish projects that they started when they were younger.

    Often, a career change in mid-life happens because people have dreams of something they want to do before they are too old to enjoy it. They might want to travel, write a book, or do something else that they have always dreamed of accomplishing. Making money might not be as important to them as it once was, causing them to choose a lower-paid but more fulfilling career.

    Whatever their reasons, people making major career changes in mid-life need to be aware of both the benefits and challenges. At that stage in life, most people have already raised their children and have more freedom to travel or to take jobs with uncertain incomes. People can follow their dreams, even if these dreams do not lead to earning much money.

    Making a transition to a new career can be difficult. Often, it requires learning new skills, which can become harder as people age. Often, employers prefer to hire young people who can expect to stay in the job for many years rather than middle-aged people who might have only ten or fifteen years left before retirement.

    However, people making this kind of transition can help to make the process easier. Experience and knowledge are some of the strengths of people at this stage of their careers. Even if employers prefer the stamina of younger employees, people in mid-life can help convince others of the value of the skills that often come with age.

    The pandemic increased joblessness and made the process of finding work more difficult, but people can still make a transition to a new career, even in mid-life. With persistence and an understanding of the value of their skills, people can find careers that are fulfilling and rewarding, whether the transition comes from a long-held dream or from a change in circumstances. Making a mid-life career transition is a good choice for many people.

     

    Bibliography

    ALIS. “Over 45 and Looking for Work: Making Midlife Career Moves.” https://alis.alberta.ca/tools-and-resources/resources-for-mature-students/look-for-work/over-45-and-looking-for-work-making-midlife-career-moves/.

    Northup, Genevieve. “How To Make a Midlife Career Change (Plus Jobs to Consider).” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/midlife-career-change

    Weikle, Brandie. “Why Mid-Life Could Be the Best Time to Change Careers.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/mid-life-career-change-1.5164941.

    Wharton Online. “How to Successfully Navigate a Midlife Career Change and Avoid a Crisis.” https://online.wharton.upenn.edu/blog/midlife-career-change/.

  • Teaching Empathy and Kindness Through Children’s Literature

    Teaching Empathy and Kindness Through Children’s Literature

    In school, students learn mathematics, science, and all kinds of other subjects through their classes. Learning qualities like empathy and kindness is more difficult, but reading children’s literature can help.

    Empathy and kindness can help people live among others without fighting or harming each other. Kindness is a quality of helping people and treating them well. People who are kind tend to be friendly and gentle, and they try not to hurt others if they can avoid it.

    Like kindness, empathy helps people to treat others well. Empathy is the ability to imagine what others feel and to understand their point of view. For example, suppose that a dog ran away. A kind person might help to look for it or help in another way. Someone with empathy would understand the dog owner’s feelings and know the reason for those emotions.

    Learning through stories takes thought and work. Some types of writing are straightforward with an obvious meaning. A user manual for a machine, for example, needs to be clear and easy to understand. It can also be very easy to forget. However, literature is different. Some stories are just for entertainment, but many of them have a deeper meaning. Finding that meaning helps readers to learn something that they can remember for years or even their whole lives.

    That principle is true of stories that teach qualities like kindness and empathy. Some people naturally have more of these qualities than others have. However, people can learn these qualities if they try. One of the best ways is through literature. Good stories can be powerful tools to teach the kinds of qualities that help people learn the important lessons that they need to know.

    Some books teach empathy and kindness quite directly. Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy by Bob Sornson teaches the importance of these qualities. I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde is another book on that topic.

    Other stories teach important qualities less directly. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins features a dinosaur that must learn not to eat people. It Will Be OK by Liza Katzenberger tells the story of a zebra and a giraffe that learn the importance of empathy. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf tells of a gentle bull who likes to smell flowers instead of fighting. When people need to learn through example, stories like these ones can help to make the benefits of empathy and kindness real to readers.

    Longer books for older readers can also teach principles like empathy and kindness. Websites such as Book Riot and Imagination Soup give suggestions of chapter books that help students understand more about life. For example, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson helps readers to understand friendship and loss. Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lai is about a refugee from the Vietnam War who struggles with loneliness and bullying as she tries to settle into life in the United States.

    Almost any well-written novel or picture book can help teach empathy and kindness. In the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis created a vast array of deep characters who are either good or bad examples of kindness and empathy. Other novels can help students understand these qualities better.

    Stories can be memorable an instructive for people who look beyond the surface to see the meaning in the characters’ actions. For teaching qualities like empathy and kindness, children’s literature is ideal.

     

    Bibliography

    Bologna, Caroline. “35 Children’s Books That Teach Empathy and Kindness.” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/childrens-books-empathy-kindness_l_5d52e7b1e4b0c63bcbee2699.

    Harvard Graduate School of Education. “How to Use Stories to Help Kids Develop Empathy.” https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-families/develop-empathy.

    Reynolds, Emily. “Why Teach Empathy?” https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/why-teach-empathy.

    Teaching Expertise. “40 Impactful Children’s Books about Empathy.” https://www.teachingexpertise.com/classroom-ideas/childrens-books-about-empathy/.