The Playing with Gratitude Project
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Imagine a world where our children not only excel academically but also thrive mentally and emotionally.
It all started with a profound realisation in late 2016: leading psychologists warned that our children's mental well-being could become their greatest challenge by high school. This revelation ignited a passion within me, a call to action that I couldn't ignore.
I felt a deep responsibility to reshape our approach to education, prioritising the nurturing of resilient mental health in our youth above all else. As I searched for solutions, I discovered an incredible synergy between two powerful forces: play and gratitude.
Gratitude, I found, has the power to catalyse positive change within ourselves and our surroundings. Through daily practice, it enhances our well-being, fostering joy, deeper connections, and even improving our physical health. As I delved into the science behind gratitude, its potential astonished me.
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At the same time, I explored the transformative power of play. I realized that play is not just a childhood activity; it's fundamental to mental wellness. Its absence can lead to feelings of depression, yet a life rich in play offers limitless potential for well-being. Play shapes our thoughts, emotions, and cultivates resilience, keeping us connected and engaged with the world.
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The revelation hit me like a bolt of lightning: blending gratitude and play could bring about an undeniable shift in mental wellness for all. And so, I embarked on a journey to infuse everyday life with the magic of play and gratitude. Two years later, over 3000 children, families, learning communities, and businesses have joined this transformative movement.
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This isn’t just a project; it's a movement that's revolutionizing how we foster mental wellness, one playful moment and grateful thought at a time. Come join us on this empowering journey of growth, joy, and connection. Together, we're creating a world where every heart beats with gratitude and every soul dances with the joy of play.
PROJECT AIM & CONTEXT
The Mission and Context of The Playing with Gratitude Project
Imagine a world where gratitude and joyful play intertwine to transform the tapestry of wellbeing for all. That's precisely the aim of The Playing with Gratitude Project – an endeavour born from a profound realisation of escalating stress, anxiety, and depression prevalent in corporate and educational realms.
As these challenges loomed larger, leaders in these domains felt an urgent need to combat these issues head-on. It became evident that nurturing well-being from a young age could be the cornerstone of a profoundly different life journey. Research echoes this sentiment, indicating that investing in the socio-emotional well-being of children cultivates positive neural pathways, shaping robust cognitive abilities and fostering stronger relationships that span a lifetime (Marbina, 2015).
Our project’s mission, therefore, is deliberate: to seed numerous avenues within educational and corporate communities where well-being blossoms through the beautiful synergy of playful gratitude. We are dedicated to creating environments where gratitude isn't just a practice but a joyful experience woven into the very fabric of daily life, fostering resilience, connection, and thriving well-being.
Joining the Transformation: Educational Project Participation
Embrace the opportunity to embark on a journey that will shape the very fabric of well-being within your educational community. Here’s how you can be an integral part of The Playing with Gratitude Project:
 Project Details:
- Duration: The project can span from 6 to 12 months, providing ample time for deep engagement and impactful transformation.
- Professional Development Sessions: Engage in 4 sessions, either face-to-face or online, strategically spaced throughout the project timeline. These sessions are designed to equip participants with insights, progress updates, and invaluable professional development opportunities centred around co-play and gratitude.
- Action Research: Elevate the project's rigor and depth by participating in action research, complemented by online surveys and robust data collection tools.
- Commitment to Daily Practice: Embrace the collective commitment to play with gratitude daily within the community.
- Family Engagement: Extend the impact beyond the educational setting by actively connecting with families, fostering conversations around gratitude in both formal and informal settings.
- Multiple resources at your fingertips:
Playing with Gratitude Manual: A comprehensive guide for each staff member, providing a roadmap, strategies, and inspirations for successful project implementation.
Gratitude Resource Pack: this pack is a treasure trove comprising a gratitude puppet, picture books, teacher resources, gratitude inspirations, and ready-made materials, ensuring abundant support for your team throughout the project. Take charge of implementation within your service while enjoying a wealth of resources.
Online Community: Dive into our vibrant online community, The Playing with Gratitude Project Group on Facebook, fostering collaboration, sharing insights, and amplifying the project's impact.
This is an invitation to be part of a transformative movement, a chance to shape well-being, foster resilience, and elevate the spirit of gratitude within your educational community. Join us in crafting a future where gratitude and play intertwine to nurture thriving individuals, families, and communities.
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The Great Gratitude Surprise
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A children's picture book, celebrating the joy and hope of gratitude in action.
Join Sammy and her family have after finding hidden treasure while on their beach holiday. Together they embark on a wonderful gratitude journey learning, new things about each other and their family.
Get Your Copy Today!
