Today, we’re talking about awe and wonder and all the incredible benefits that these simple and accessible emotions can have in terms of learning and child development. And I have the perfect guest here to talk about it — Deborah Farmer Kris, a child development expert, longtime educator, and author of the wonderful new book Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive. In this conversation, we talk about how and why awe is such a powerful tool for emotional regulation, learning, and resilience for our kids. Deborah shares some of the neuroscience behind wonder and walks us through how simple moments of awe, like listening to music, walking outside, or witnessing a small act of kindness, can lower stress, spark curiosity, and build deeper connections for our kids. She also offered strategies for cultivating awe with your child, even during the most challenging seasons of parenting.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to add one more thing to our to-do lists to make a meaningful shift. Sometimes, it’s about slowing down, noticing what’s already here, and inviting our kids into that sense of wonder with us. And I think what I love about this so much is that awe is something that’s available to all of us, and experiencing it, even for little moments, not only feels wonderful (pun intended), but it has very real, positive benefits.
About Deborah
Deborah Farmer Kris is a child development expert and the author of "Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive,” the I See You board book series, and the All the Time picture book series. Her bylines include CNN, PBS KIDS, NPR’s Mindshift, The Washington Post, the Boston Globe Magazine, and Oprah Daily. Deborah is currently an expert advisor for the PBS KIDS show, “Carl the Collector,” and spent 20+ years as a K-12 educator. Mostly, she loves sharing nuggets of practical wisdom that can make the parenting journey a little easier.
You'll learn:
How the powerful emotion of awe builds resilience and supports well-being
Why curiosity and wonder spark internal motivation and deeper learning
How to tap into nature, art, music, and kindness as everyday sources of awe for children
Why experiencing awe can lower stress, improve memory, and support emotional regulation
How parents can nurture awe by modeling curiosity and slowing down with their kids
Ideas for creating small, shared moments of wonder strengthen connection and support family wellness
Resources:
Deborah Farmer Kris’ website Parenthood 365
Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive by Deborah Farmer Kris
Raising Awe-Seekers Podcast
Deborah on Instagram
Deborah on LinkedIn
You Wonder All the Time by Deborah Farmer Kris
You Are Growing All the Time by Deborah Farmer Kris
I Love You All the Time by Deborah Farmer Kirs
You Have Feelings All the Time by Deborah Farmer Kris
Dr. Dacher Kelter
Dr. Michele Borba
Mindshift (KQED / PBS)
Pub Choir
Robert Waldinger
Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness by Jamil Zaki
The Happiness Study at Harvard
Challenge Success
I Love N.Y.E. (Badly Drawn Boy song)
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