Dear Addie,
When we think of life skills, we often focus on basic everyday needs, such as self-care, time management, and communication. However, this time of year also serves as a helpful reminder of the life skills that greatly impact our development and overall well-being.
Allow me to explain.
I think when people hear that you have a life skills-based education, they often think of two things: 1) you're learning basic needs like cooking, cleaning, and self-care (such as brushing your teeth or taking out trash), and 2) that we've abandoned all traditional subjects in schooling. My response to this is that we haven't abandoned anything; in fact, it's much more than just the basics. It's about a more comprehensive approach to self-learning from physical, social and emotional, which brings me to a very important life skill that was reiterated this week - the art and importance of giving.
Addie, to be honest, we've always taught you and your siblings the mentality that it's better to give than to receive. However, this journey has forced me to evaluate the complexities behind just about everything we do—perhaps to a fault, but I digress. It's something I would have never given a second thought to, other than seeing it as simply being a good person. But why is giving so important? Why does it actually make us feel different and good? Well believe it or not there's science behind it.
You see, Addie, the core of giving is about connection. When we receive a thoughtful gift, it triggers the brain to release dopamine (not to be confused with one of the seven dwarfs from Snow White—that's Dopey). Dopamine is known as the "feel-good" hormone in our bodies. When you have the right balance of dopamine, you tend to feel happy, alert, focused, and motivated! Yay, all good things!
If that wasn’t cool enough, science tells us that not only does it make the recipient feel a wonderful sense of happiness, but it also rewires our brains to make the "giver" happier as well. This has been proven by showing signs of reducing anxiety and depression levels in MANY scientific studies. Sounds like a win-win to me—sign me up! No wonder Oprah seems so happy! YOU GET A GIFT! YOU GET A GIFT! EVERYONE GETS A GIFT! Yeah, I know what you are thinking - you're not Oprah and don't have access to a bank account that can provide such an over abundance of societial dopamine. No worries - gifts don't always have to be tangable. Giving ones time or talents elicits all the same feels. Pretty cool right!?
Addie, this week you practiced the life skill of giving through a Secret Santa gift exchange at school. You might not fully understand the science behind why it makes you feel good (or even who Oprah is), but one day you will. Until then, we'll continue incorporating the act of giving this into our life skills practice because a life filled with happiness is a great way to live!
Love you so much!
Mom
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