Teaching & Learning
Education propels change. Stay up to date on the latest educational developments near you and around the world from preschool to post-grad. Here, you'll find out why equitable quality education is essential for fostering healthy and resilient societies.
Students drop social media: how a weeklong detox improves self-esteem and body image
A new study from York University in Toronto, Canada sheds light on the substantial consequences of social media detox on people's self-esteem and body image. The study, led by psychology professor Jennifer Mills, included 66 female undergraduate students and sought to investigate the consequences Read More...
Helping young people of color navigate the music industry with Carnegie Hall's The B-Side
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the iconic setting of Carnegie Hall, a remarkable initiative is taking shape, one that seeks to bridge the stark gap between the industry's diverse musical talent and its predominantly white leadership. The B-Side, a program specifically developed to Read More...
Belong is an intergenerational housing solution to combat loneliness among older adults
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As society faces the challenges of an aging population, new housing concepts are emerging that promise to address one of the most important issues of older adults: loneliness. One such option is intergenerational housing, which combines senior living Read More...
New Jersey takes a stand: a landmark law against book bans in libraries
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM New Jersey is making news as the latest state to prohibit book restrictions in public and school libraries. Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation on Monday, December 9 that prohibits censorship while also protecting libraries from legal and criminal Read More...
Turning grief into hope with a video game that helps children cope with loss
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Children and young people are finding consolation for their deepest wounds in the most unlikely of places: a virtual island surrounded by tranquil digital seas. Apart of Me is a video game meant to help young people manage grief and is quietly changing how we Read More...
California introduces groundbreaking Southeast Asian curriculum in schools
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM California launched the nation's first Southeast Asian Studies Model Curriculum, allowing students to learn about the rich histories and accomplishments of Hmong, Vietnamese, and Cambodian Americans. While the lessons are not required, K-12 instructors Read More...
Over 75% of UK universities vow to divest from fossil fuels
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a major triumph for climate activists, over 77 percent of UK institutions pledged to divest from fossil fuels. The achievement is the culmination of over a decade of tireless effort by students and faculty. People & Planet's Fossil Free campaign, Read More...
Canadian project addresses global insect crisis
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Insects, the often-overlooked building blocks of our ecosystems, are disappearing at an alarming rate. "Of all the mass extinctions we have experienced in the past, the one affecting insects is happening a thousand times faster," cautions Maxim Larrivée, Read More...
Changemakers of the week: Laguna Food Pantry and The Rama Tree Foundation
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day at The Optimist Daily, we share stories of solutions from around the globe. While we celebrate innovations of all sizes, those born within our local communities often leave the deepest mark. That’s why, leading up to Thanksgiving this year, Read More...
How the Environment Leaders Programme cultivates climate action in schools
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The climate crisis can feel like an overwhelming storm—literally and figuratively, but young people across the UK are eager to be part of the solution. A recent survey of 1,500 students aged 7-17 revealed something inspiring: the next generation doesn’t Read More...