The researchers even aroused a sense of awe in the lab by asking parents to remember the experiences of having experienced awe with their children. Simply remembering these experiences makes parents reporting their lives more fulfilling, fun and meaningful!
How to experience this magic in your own life
So, research has found that experiencing awe may really enrich your life, but how do you create these experiences in your own life?
- In the present. Awe can only be experienced when you notice what is happening around you. Pay attention to your senses. Really look at the kids’ faces, smell their hair, really listen to their voices or feel their soft skin.
- Try to pay attention to the benefits of your child. You are more likely to feel awe when you focus on the positive aspects of your child. Since our brains are wired to pay attention and solve problems, it is often possible to consciously strive to focus on goodness.
- It’s amazing to reflect on the miracles of parenting and raising children, such as the intuitive trust and love of your child, a collection of cells designed to create your unique children’s, the profound beauty of being a safe place for them and the joy of seeing the world through their eyes.
- Recalling awesome experiences. Research has found that just recalling the times you feel awe may improve your life. Keep a diary of these moments, or simply write them down in the Notes app on your phone and read this list if you need to boost.
How to teach your child to be awe
There are many benefits to teaching your child to share awe experience with you. Research has found that experiencing awe may make children work harder, more generous and more motivated. So, how do you encourage your child to be in awe?
- Engage activities with children who may inspire awe (nature, music or art are great choices). Walk a long way in the woods, go to the art museum or attend a concert together.
- Find new and interesting experiences with your kids. Novelty may inspire awe, the study found. You can develop the habit of trying new sports, new food or new craft projects, or explore new areas together. Ask questions in these experiences, such as “You were surprised by you?” or “What did you learn from this experience?”
- Take a “Awesome Walk” with your kids and you will pay attention to everything around you. Totally present, ask your kids what they are seeing, hearing and smelling. Collect items such as rocks and leaves and feel their texture. Turn off your phone and try to be fully present at this moment. When children see your joy, you will hear a bird or catch snowflakes on your tongue, and it will also inspire them to look for small miracles too.
- Encourage your child’s curiosity and surprise. You can do this by asking them open-ended questions about the world around them and paying attention to their questions and answering their questions. I see what you want to know is a book that you can read with your kids to teach you two ways to encourage curiosity and miracles in your daily life.
- Watch TV shows or movies like Earth Earth or Nature Documentary, like March Penguin, or if you have limited time, the following short video clips I often use in research to create a feeling of awe:
Overall Translation
Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs in the world and it’s easy to focus on the daily challenges we face. But there are also amazing magic tricks to weave with kids into everyday life, and noticing magic can help you and your kids experience what researchers say Awe. These moments of awe don’t just feel good. They actually make life richer, more meaningful and emotionally beneficial. Actually, it’s very simple remember Moments with your child’s awe can strengthen your brain. So, next time you go deep into the diapers or play the referee in a sibling showdown, keep an eye out for those little miracles. They do more for you than you think.
Expert comments
Deborah Farmer Kris reviewed this post. Deborah is a child development expert and author of “The Awesome: How Miracle Science Helps Our Children Flourish”,” I see you Board Series and Always Picture book series. Her charter includes CNN, PBS Kids, NPR’s Mindshift, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe Magazine and Oprah Daily. Deborah is currently an expert consultant on the PBS children’s program “Carl the Collector” and has served as a K-12 educator for more than 20 years. You can buy her books here.
