Deborah Farmer Kris

Boston

Contributing Writer at KQED-TV (San Francisco,CA)

Author & Parent Educator Bylines: PBS, Boston Globe Mag, MindShift, CNN, Oprah Daily, WaPo. Books: https://t.co/B8Xv09j8Pk Newsletter: https://t.co/d2QsX3BYHX

Articles

Teens need more chances to experience awe. Here’s how to do it

1 month ago | cnn.com | Deborah Farmer Kris

Whether your kid loves hanging out in nature or on basketball courts, find a way to witness them doing what they love, suggests Deborah Farmer Kris. MoMo Productions/Digital Vision/Getty Images See all topics Email Link Copied! EDITOR’S NOTE: Deborah Farmer Kris is a child development specialist and the author of “Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive.” Find her at Parenthood365.
How Experiencing Wonder Helps Kids Learn

1 month ago | kqed.org | Deborah Farmer Kris

May 19Failed to save articlePlease try againAn astrophotography shot of the Milky Way in Newberry Volcanic National Monument in Oregon. (Matthew H Irvin/iStock)Adapted from “Raising Awe-Seekers” by Deborah Farmer Kris © 2025. Used with permission of Free Spirit Publishing, an imprint of Teacher Created Materials, Inc., Huntington Beach, CA; 1-800-858-7339; teachercreatedmaterials.com. All rights reserved. Awe is perhaps our most overlooked and undervalued emotion.
4 Ways to Facilitate Awe in the Classroom

1 month ago | edutopia.org | Deborah Farmer Kris

When you think about the emotional life of elementary school students, awe is probably not the first word that comes to mind. Frustration, delight, worry—or any iteration of happy, sad, mad, and scared—tend to dominate the discussion. Awe is an underappreciated feeling that has tremendous benefits. According to research from the Greater Good Science Center, experiencing wonder strengthens our overall well-being. It prompts us to be kinder, more cooperative, and more willing to share with others.
Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive

1 month ago | libraryjournal.com | Deborah Farmer Kris

. (Free Spirit Parenting). May 2025. 240p. ISBN 9798885549349. pap. $16.99. CHILD REARING COPY ISBN Child development expert Kris begins this book with a cherished memory of her father waking her up at two a.m. to see a Perseid meteor shower, an early introduction to awe and wonder. She has spent over two decades as a K–12 teacher, administrator, and parent educator.
How Moments in Nature Help Kids Thrive

2 months ago | greatergood.berkeley.edu | Deborah Farmer Kris

Awe doesn’t often make the headlines. But on April 9, 2024, the front page of the New York Times read, “A Divided America Agrees on One Thing: The Eclipse Was Awesome.” Though our town was about three hours south of the path of totality, a celebratory atmosphere permeated the community. One of my kids spent the afternoon constructing a moveable 3D eclipse model, while the other built a pinhole camera. Many schools dismissed early so kids could make it home in time.
Tips for Helping Kids Manage Emotions When They're Intense and Difficult

Mar 16, 2025 | kqed.org | Deborah Farmer Kris |Ethan Kross

When kids feel bombarded by difficult emotions, they may feel a sense of helplessness, as if there is nothing they can do to pull themselves out of the storm. As parents, we know effective strategies are out there, but knowing which ones to use in the moment can feel overwhelming. In his new book, “Shift: Managing Your Emotions – So They Don’t Manage You,” neuroscientist Ethan Kross shares the most current research on emotional regulation.
I See You Play

Jan 31, 2025 | slj.com | Deborah Farmer Kris |Brooke Newberry

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The Benefits of Raising Hopeful Kids in Cynical Times

Oct 17, 2024 | kqed.org | Deborah Farmer Kris

Oct 17Failed to save articlePlease try again (Getty Images/Micha Pawlitzki)In the face of uncertainty, parents often seek to protect children by warning them about the world’s threats and dangers. But is this the right approach?
How to handle a tough first day of school

Aug 12, 2024 | newsbreak.com | Deborah Farmer Kris
How to handle a tough first day of school

Aug 12, 2024 | kpbs.org | Deborah Farmer Kris

On her first day of preschool, my daughter woke up ready to go! She was joining the Owl class, and so she put on an owl shirt, helped me pack her lunch, and grabbed her blankie for nap time. The day didn’t go as planned. About 30 minutes after drop-off, I got a call saying she had been accidentally placed in the wrong class, so they were taking her over to the Bear class instead. Two hours after that, I got a call asking if she had lunch. Apparently, it got lost in the shuffle of moving rooms.