September 21, 2020 is World Gratitude Day, and we’d like you and the children in your life to join in the celebration with us! One of the 24 character strengths that make up the backbone of Shipley’s positive education framework, gratitude can be a powerful tool to help you flourish. Research indicates there are both emotional and physical health benefits when gratitude is practiced regularly, including: increased happiness, improved sleep and physical health, a more optimistic outlook, increased meaning and life satisfaction, stronger relationships, and greater success.

At Shipley, we spend the month of November giving special focus to the second half of our motto: Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing. Giving to others and giving thanks are hallmarks of this time of year, and they are undoubtedly acts of grace.

Research shows that Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs like Shipley’s Social, Emotional, Ethical Development (SEED) program can positively impact children’s mental health, social skills, and academic performance. (Taylor, Rebecca D., et al. “Promoting Positive Youth Development Through School-Based Social and Emotional Learning Interventions: A Meta-Analysis of Follow-Up Effects.” Society for Research in Child Development, Inc., 2017, https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12864.) That’s why we devote class time in each grade to this important subject area. In Shipley’s Lower School SEED classes, teacher Betsy Leschinsky (“Mrs. L,” as her students affectionately call her) uses storybooks to anchor her lessons. 

Character strengths are integral to the science of Positive Psychology and are an important component of The Shipley School’s Positive Education framework. As part of Shipley’s commitment to Positive Education and the well-being of our entire school community, we celebrate a different character strength each month of the school year. So, what are character strengths and why are they important? Here are 10 things we think you should know about character strengths and how they can help all of us (students, teachers, and parents) to flourish.