100 Simple Ways to Be Kind
Published on October 1st, 2020. Updated November, 28 2025. 100 Simple Ways to Be Kind It feels like our planet is in constant turmoil. We are surrounded by negative words, bad news, and intense conflicts. Every person we encounter in our daily routine is likely...
Why the Message of Black Santa Children’s Books Matters
Why the message of Black Santa children's books matters For some people, the idea of a Black Santa books feels unfamiliar—but unfamiliar doesn’t mean wrong. It simply means we haven’t seen it enough. Santa is a symbol of joy, generosity, magic, and possibility.And...
How to Teach Kids Gratitude: More Than Just “Thank You”
We all want to raise kind, appreciative children who are aware of the good things in their lives. But how do you actually teach kids gratitude in a way that sticks? It takes more than simply reminding them to say "thank you." True gratitude is an awareness that we can...
How Make A Way Media Helps Kids Dream
We spend a lot of time thinking about how to help kids dream. Dreams are important and children are already working right now to shape and build our future. At Make A Way Media, we believe that every child’s dream is worth believing in, protecting, nurturing, and...
10 Simple Ways To Spread Hope Today
Most people think that hope is a fleeting emotion, something that comes and goes. In reality, hope is more of a skill. Hope is a lot like a muscle. We can strengthen and grow it. When we know how to grow and maintain hope in our own lives, we can bring hope to others....
Calling Out the Lack of Diverse Holiday Picture Books (And What I Did About It)
Updated September 2025. Originally published November 2020. My family absolutely loves the holidays. Christmas is a very special time for us. We go all out with addressing all the senses. Every single one. From the sights of the warm lights to the smells of the tree,...
The Key to Teaching Empathy Through Literature
When we talk about raising kind, compassionate kids, one word comes up again and again: empathy. We all want to raise empathetic kids. The problem is, empathy doesn’t just appear. It’s something we teach. Something we have to learn. One of the most powerful ways to...
Why Black Santa Books Belong in Every Holiday Story Collection
Why Black Santa Books Belong in Every Holiday Story Collection Close your eyes and picture Santa Claus. Chances are, the image in your mind is of a jolly, white-bearded man with rosy cheeks and pale skin. That image has been repeated so often, in so many places, that...
Why Hoping Skills Are the Coping Skills of the Future
We’ve all heard the phrase “Don’t get your hopes up.” It’s often said with good intentions—as a way to protect ourselves from disappointment. But here’s the thing we often miss: Hope is not a weakness. Hope is a skill. And in today’s world, it’s one of the most...
10 Important Coping Skills To Teach Kids
Life is full of big emotions. It's normal for kids to experience a big range of feelings, including anger and pain. Here are ten simple, effective coping skills that children can use in any situation to feel calmer, more confident, and in control of their feelings....