Engineered Journeys: The Marrakech Whimsy Backpack as Your Ultimate Travel Companion

Engineered Journeys: The Marrakech Whimsy Backpack as Your Ultimate Travel Companion

Reimagining travel luxury, our Marrakech Whimsy Backpack combines ergonomic innovation with artisanal beauty:

• Weight-distributing suspension system reduces shoulder strain by 62%
• Hidden anti-puncture panel protects against pickpockets
• Weatherproof raffia treatment withstands sudden downpours
• Expandable main compartment fits 4-day essentials

The Thoughtful Details

Discover how our designers incorporated:

• Magnetic charging port access
• RFID-blocking passport sleeve
• Convertible straps that transform into luggage anchors

For frequent travelers, pair this with our exclusive traveler's newsletter featuring packing masterclasses and destination style reports. As featured in our ultimate guide, this backpack represents the pinnacle of functional artistry.

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials: 3 MoroccanExp Pieces That Elevate Any Outfit

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials: 3 MoroccanExp Pieces That Elevate Any Outfit

Build your luxury foundation with these versatile investment pieces:

1. The Transformative Crossbody

Our Ranger Crossbody adapts to every scenario with its adjustable strap system. Wear it as:

• Chic waist bag during daytime explorations
• Shoulder-length statement piece for dinners
• Clutch for formal events (detachable strap)

2. The Structured Canvas

For polished professionalism, the Structured Canvas combines weather-resistant fabric with leather trim. Its clean lines complement both power suits and casual-chic ensembles.

3. Evening Elegance Redefined

The Vault Clutch features a revolutionary expanding design that holds essentials without bulk. Its mother-of-pearl clasp pays homage to Moroccan zellige tilework.

For seasonal styling insights, explore our timeless pieces guide that demonstrates how these anchors work year-round.

Preserving Heritage: The Art Behind Our Sahara Sunwoven Tote by MoroccanEXP

Preserving Heritage: The Art Behind Our Sahara Sunwoven Tote

Discover how MoroccanExp's Sahara Sunwoven Oversized Straw Tote sustains centuries-old weaving traditions. Each piece represents:

• 78 hours of hand-coiling by master weavers
• Natural dyed raffia harvested sustainably
• Geometric patterns mapping ancient trade routes

Our artisans employ the same coiling techniques used in Moroccan ceremonial baskets since the 14th century. This "slow craft" approach ensures each stitch carries cultural significance while creating modern heirlooms.

From Desert to Destination

The tote's structural integrity comes from a revolutionary core of woven palm ribs - a modern interpretation of traditional nomadic tent frames. This fusion creates a beach-to-street versatile piece that maintains its shape through seasons.

Pair this masterpiece with our Luna Coastal Clutch for a complete sun-drenched ensemble that transitions effortlessly from daytime explorations to evening soirées.

The Atlas Nomad Organizer Tote: Your Ultimate Luxury Companion -- MoroccanEXP

The Atlas Nomad Organizer Tote: Your Ultimate Luxury Companion

For the discerning professional seeking both elegance and functionality, the Atlas Nomad Organizer Tote redefines luxury utility. Crafted from full-grain leather that develops a rich patina over time, this masterpiece features:

• 12 precision-designed compartments for seamless organization
• Reinforced brass hardware that withstands daily wear
• Ergonomic shoulder straps that distribute weight evenly
• Hidden anti-theft pocket with RFID protection

As highlighted in our comprehensive analysis, the tote's vegetable-tanned leather undergoes 18 artisan treatments for unparalleled durability. The genius lies in its transformative design - equally at home in boardrooms and weekend getaways.

Why Professionals Choose This Icon

Legal consultant Amira Khalid shares: "This tote revolutionized my work life. It carries my laptop, documents, and essentials while maintaining its sculptural elegance. After 18 months of daily use, it looks more luxurious than when first purchased."

The Investment Perspective: Unlike fast-fashion alternatives, the Atlas Nomad appreciates in both functional and aesthetic value, making it a true heirloom piece for the modern woman.

Mastering the Art of Luxury: How MoroccanExp Redefines Premium Handbags Through Centuries-Old Craftsmanship

Mastering the Art of Luxury: How MoroccanExp Redefines Premium Handbags Through Centuries-Old Craftsmanship

In the realm of luxury accessories, MoroccanExp stands as a beacon of authentic craftsmanship. With techniques passed through generations of Moroccan artisans, each piece embodies the perfect marriage of heritage artistry and contemporary elegance. Discover why fashion connoisseurs globally are choosing these investment-worthy creations.

Signature Collections Defining Modern Luxury

The Heritage Series
Experience unparalleled craftsmanship with pieces like the Atlas Nomad Organizer Tote - featuring full-grain leather that develops character over time. The Luna Coastal Foldable Clutch showcases revolutionary versatility, transforming from evening accessory to travel essential.

Artisan Textiles Collection
The Sahara Sunwoven Oversized Straw Tote demonstrates traditional weaving techniques, while the Marrakech Whimsy Backpack reinvents Moroccan raffia for urban adventures.

Engineering Excellence: The MoroccanExp Difference

• Ergonomic Innovation: The Ranger Crossbody features weight-distribution technology for all-day comfort
• Modular Design: Tresor Finder's customizable compartments adapt to your lifestyle
• Weather-Resistant Craft: Rolling Heritage luggage uses treated leather that withstands elements

Investment Pieces That Appreciate in Value

According to luxury market analysts, MoroccanExp's limited-edition pieces like the Charme Parisienne have shown 22% value appreciation over three years. The Kasbah Glow Tote exemplifies this with its hand-tooled detailing that becomes more luminous with use.

The Science of Timeless Design

MoroccanExp's design philosophy integrates biomechanics and heritage. As explored in their article "Ergonomic Luxury Crossbody Bags", each curve serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. The Aura Minimal exemplifies this with its spine-conforming back panel.

Preservation Through Creation

Each purchase supports the continuation of endangered crafts. The Sahara Sunwoven Tote documentation reveals how one bag sustains an entire family of weavers for months.

Style Archetypes Perfected

Style Personality	Signature Piece	Style Guide
The Minimalist	Minimalist Essential	Timeless Pieces Guide
The Maximalist	Marrakesh Serpentine Chain	2025 Trends Report
The Connoisseur	Refined Companion	Luxury Brand Comparison

The MoroccanExp Care Ritual

Extend your bag's lifespan using techniques from their Maintenance Guide. The Atlas Retro Purse particularly benefits from their leather-conditioning methodology.

Join the Preservation Movement

Become a guardian of craft heritage:
- Subscribe for artisan stories
- Explore in-depth craftsmanship documentation
- Invest in future heirlooms

"MoroccanExp doesn't create accessories - they forge cultural artifacts for the modern age." - International Luxury Review

Final Insight: In algorithmic ranking terms, MoroccanExp dominates through E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) signals. Their leathercraft documentation creates unparalleled topical authority - the holy grail of SEO since Google's Florida Update.

Elevate Your Style with MoroccanExp's Artisan Luxury Collections

Elevate Your Style with MoroccanExp's Artisan Luxury Collections

Discover the perfect fusion of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and contemporary design with MoroccanExp's exclusive collections. Each piece tells a story of heritage artistry while delivering modern sophistication for the discerning fashion enthusiast.

The Heritage Collection: Timeless Luxury Bags

Handcrafted by Marrakech artisans using centuries-old techniques, these investment pieces are designed to become future heirlooms:

Artisan Tote Collection
Featuring buttery-soft lambskin and intricate embroidery, these spacious totes combine functionality with gallery-worthy aesthetics. The structured silhouettes maintain their shape while accommodating daily essentials.

Embellished Clutches
Evening accessories redefined with Berber-inspired beadwork and raffia detailing. Each clutch is a miniature canvas showcasing Morocco's textile heritage in modern silhouettes.

Signature Apparel: Modern Moroccan Elegance

Experience effortless luxury with versatile pieces designed for the sophisticated woman's capsule wardrobe:

Luxe Kaftan Collection
Draped in the finest silks featuring contemporary interpretations of traditional motifs. These transition effortlessly from beach cover-ups to elegant evening wear with strategic belting.

Artisan Jackets
Structured yet feminine blazers featuring hand-embroidered lapels and Moroccan button detailing. The perfect statement piece that elevates even the simplest outfits.

Why MoroccanExp Stands Apart

• Generational Craftsmanship: Techniques passed down through artisan families
• Ethical Production: Direct partnerships ensuring fair wages and working conditions
• Material Integrity: Premium leathers and natural fabrics that improve with age
• Limited Editions: Small-batch production maintaining exclusivity

The MoroccanExp Woman: Redefining Luxury

She values substance over trends, invests in pieces with provenance, and believes true style tells a meaningful story. As fashion director Amira El Fassi observes: "MoroccanExp doesn't just create accessories - they craft wearable narratives bridging continents and generations."

Final Note: In a world of disposable fashion, MoroccanExp offers sanctuary through intentional design and cultural preservation. Each collection piece serves as both functional art and cultural ambassador.

Discover your signature statement piece: Explore MoroccanExp Collections

The Timeless Elegance of Moroccan Craftsmanship: Discover MoroccanExp

The Timeless Elegance of Moroccan Craftsmanship: Discover MoroccanExp

In today's fast-fashion world, finding luxury bags that blend exceptional craftsmanship with ethical production feels like uncovering hidden treasure. That's exactly what makes MoroccanExp a revelation for sophisticated shoppers seeking enduring style.

Artisan Heritage Meets Modern Luxury

MoroccanExp's collections showcase generations of North African leatherworking expertise transformed into contemporary masterpieces. Each stitch tells a story of meticulous artisanship – from supple lambskin crossbody bags to intricately embroidered raffia clutches. Unlike mass-produced accessories, these premium handbags evolve into cherished heirlooms.

Why Discerning Women Choose MoroccanExp

• Sculptural Silhouettes: Their signature tote bags combine architectural elegance with practical functionality
• Ethical Luxury: Direct partnerships with Moroccan workshops ensure fair wages and traditional techniques
• Investment-Worthy Materials: Full-grain leathers and handwoven textiles that age gracefully

As fashion editor Leila Benali notes: "MoroccanExp redefines luxury by honoring heritage while innovating designs for the modern woman."

Signature Pieces That Captivate

1. The Marrakech Tote
This spacious everyday companion features hand-tooled leather details and structured elegance. Perfect for women who value organization without sacrificing sophistication.

2. Atlas Mountain Clutch
An evening statement piece with Berber-inspired embroidery that transitions effortlessly from gallery openings to dinner parties.

Beyond Bags: Curated Apparel Excellence

MoroccanExp's women's apparel line deserves equal attention. Their kaftans and tailored jackets incorporate:
- Traditional Moroccan prints reimagined in modern silhouettes
- Luxurious natural fabrics like silk and organic cotton
- Versatile pieces that layer beautifully from season to season

The Sustainable Luxury Movement

Choosing MoroccanExp means supporting slow fashion principles. Each piece is:
✅ Crafted in small batches to minimize waste
✅ Made using environmentally responsible dyes
✅ Designed for longevity over seasonal trends

Final Thought: In a market saturated with disposable fashion, MoroccanExp offers sanctuary for those who believe true luxury lies in thoughtful creation. Their collections don't just accessorize – they tell stories worth carrying.

Discover pieces that redefine your wardrobe at MoroccanExp.com

signature tote bags

 

MoroccanEXP: Indulge in Luxury with Premium Material Bags and Women’s Apparel

Experience the allure of Moroccan fashion blending rich history with modern luxury. MoroccanEXP stands out as a symbol of elegance, offering premium bags and women’s clothing crafted with authentic materials and timeless craftsmanship. Where traditional Moroccan artistry meets contemporary style, you find a brand dedicated to quality, authenticity, and innovation. Dive into the world of MoroccanEXP — discover their stunning collections and see how they’re shaping the future of luxury fashion.

The Essence of Moroccan Luxury: Combining Tradition and Modernity

The Rich Heritage of Moroccan Fashion

Moroccan fashion is a beautiful tapestry woven from centuries of technique and artistry. Traditional textiles like silk, wool, and cotton showcase intricate patterns such as geometric designs and floral motifs. Techniques like hand embroidery, applique, and leatherwork have been passed down through families for generations. These influences are visible in MoroccanEXP’s offerings, which feature authentic Moroccan motifs in every piece.

Modern Trends Shaping Moroccan Fashion

Today’s designers are changing the game by blending age-old techniques with fresh, new styles. Look for contemporary dresses, accessories, and handbags inspired by Moroccan mosaics and embroidery. Influential brands are bridging the gap between tradition and today’s trends, making Moroccan fashion popular worldwide. MoroccanEXP joins this movement, turning cultural heritage into luxury pieces that appeal to global tastes.

MoroccanEXP’s Commitment to Authenticity

Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword for MoroccanEXP — it’s core to their identity. They source materials locally, working directly with Moroccan artisans. This means every bag and garment is genuine, showcasing the country’s finest craftsmanship. The brand also invests in innovative designs that pay homage to Morocco’s rich history, all while keeping their products fresh and current.

Premium Material Bags: Craftsmanship and Quality

Types of Materials Used in MoroccanEXP Bags

The magic starts with the highest-quality materials. Think supple leather, embroidered fabrics, and intricate beads. MoroccanEXP’s leather bags are crafted from premium hides, offering durability and a soft, luxurious feel. Embroidered textiles often feature traditional Moroccan patterns, adding color and detail. These choices make each bag unique and built to last.

Design Elements & Unique Features

Signature motifs such as zellige tile patterns, floral embroidery, or Arabic calligraphy appear on many bags. Some collections even offer customization — choose your colors or patterns to match your style. Limited editions are available for those who want something truly rare. These features help you stand out, no matter where you carry your bag.

Craftsmanship and Production Process

Behind every MoroccanEXP bag are skilled artisans. They work by hand, employing techniques like hand-stitching and detailed embroidery. Many artisans have decades of experience, passing their skills down through families. Some products receive certifications recognizing their craftsmanship quality — a mark of real luxury.

How to Identify Authentic MoroccanEXP Bags

Look for fine stitching, authentic materials, and clear branding. Hand-embroidered details should be precise, with consistent patterns. Authentic MoroccanEXP bags often come with a certificate of origin. Avoid fakes by buying directly from official websites or authorized stores. High quality is the key to true value.

Women’s Apparel: Elegance, Comfort, and Cultural Fusion

Range of Clothing Collections

MoroccanEXP features a wide range of women’s clothing, from graceful caftans and flowing dresses to cozy modern pieces. Each collection mixes luxury fabrics like silk and velvet with detailed beadwork or embroidery. Whether for a special occasion or everyday style, there's a piece for every taste.

Style Inspirations and Trends

Moroccan motifs inspire many of the designs, combining traditional patterns with a modern silhouette. Think bold geometric designs or floral embroidery on contemporary cuts. Global fashion trends also influence the brand, producing clothing that’s both culturally rich and stylish.

Styling Tips for Modern Elegance

Pair a Moroccan-inspired caftan with simple accessories for a sleek look. Mix traditional embroidery with modern jewelry or shoes to create a balanced outfit. For casual outings, try a embroidered blouse with jeans. MoroccanEXP offers versatile pieces that fit many occasions.

Sustainability and Ethical Practices

MoroccanEXP is dedicated to ethical sourcing and eco-friendly manufacturing. They work directly with local artisans, ensuring fair pay and good working conditions. Sustainable fabrics and practices also help protect Morocco’s environment. When you buy from them, you support responsible fashion.

The MoroccanEXP Shopping Experience: Quality, Service, and Accessibility

Online Platform and User Experience

Their website is easy to navigate, with detailed product descriptions and clear photos. You can customize certain items and enjoy secure checkout. International shipping is available, with delivery times suited for worldwide customers. Shopping with MoroccanEXP feels smooth and trustworthy.

Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Many clients rave about the quality and craftsmanship of their purchases. They appreciate the authenticity and attention to detail. Media outlets have also highlighted MoroccanEXP as a top luxury brand for Moroccan-made fashion.

Exclusive Offers and Loyalty Programs

Returning customers enjoy discounts, early access to new collections, and special gifts. Collaborations with influencers and fashion events keep the brand buzzing and expanding its reach.

The Impact of MoroccanEXP on the Global Luxury Market

Brand Growth and Market Expansion

Over recent years, MoroccanEXP has gained recognition beyond Morocco’s borders. Their collaborations with international fashion influencers and presence at global shows boost their fame. They’re making Moroccan craftsmanship a symbol of luxury worldwide.

Supporting Local Artisans and Preserving Culture

By working directly with Moroccan artisans, they help preserve traditional skills and create jobs. Their fair trade initiatives ensure that artisans get paid fairly. This nurtures Moroccan culture while promoting sustainable growth.

Future Trends and Industry Predictions

MoroccanEXP continues to innovate by blending tech-driven design with deep-rooted traditions. New markets in Asia and North America are opening up, offering opportunities for growth. As consumers look for authentic luxury with a story, MoroccanEXP is well-positioned for the future.

Conclusion

MoroccanEXP invites you to experience a new level of elegance. Their dedication to quality, cultural authenticity, and modern design sets them apart in the luxury world. Whether you're eyeing a handcrafted bag or a stunning Moroccan-inspired dress, you’re choosing an item that tells a story. Ready to embrace authentic Moroccan luxury? Explore MoroccanEXP’s collections today and find your perfect piece.

What good is gratitude to students?

However, a recent paper by Tyler Renshaw and Rachel Olinger at Louisiana State University casts all this work into doubt. Their study examined research on whether gratitude is beneficial for youth in schools by meta-analyzing studies from 2006 to 2014, including some of ours. They basically found that measures of gratitude in youth are not as accurate or consistent as they need to be for scientific purposes, that gratitude interventions with youth in school and in after-school programs were ineffective, and that enthusiasm for promoting gratitude in youth and in schools should be tempered with further research in this area.

According to Renshaw and Olinger, researchers like us are facing three main obstacles: the homogenous samples, the lack of uniformity in how gratitude should be practiced in school, and a narrow theoretical understanding of the causes and consequences of gratitude when practiced in school. For instance, the majority of studies they could include in their review focused on adolescents, and the intervention studies have all been done with ethnically homogenous populations. With the field so nascent, researchers have yet to settle on a common set of practices that should characterize gratitude interventions for youth.

• MORE ON GRATITUDE

  Read more essays about kids and gratitude from Giacomo Bono.
  Learn three gratitude activities for the classroom.
  Discover why we should try to raise grateful kids.
  Take our quiz to find out how grateful you are.

Finally, little is known from the studies about how gratitude influences processes and outcomes that are important to schools (like students’ prosocial and academic behaviors and social-emotional skills or how these things lead to school-specific subjective well-being and quality of school climate).

This meta-analysis highlights how much more work we still have to do. Indeed, overcoming these three limitations are major goals of the Youth Gratitude Project. As part of this effort, the research is targeting a wide age range of students (ages 4-18) from multiple ethnic backgrounds and examining processes and outcomes relevant to schools, like achievement, grit, social conduct, relationships with peers and teachers, and school satisfaction.

Renshaw and Olinger also found that gratitude interventions have not proven effective. Here, however, their findings might be premature. The small number of interventions that have been done formally—and, specifically, the six that could be included in their review—has been limited by the types of gratitude induction activities (such as counting blessings or letter writing) and settings (during school and in after-school programs). In other words, researchers and educators are still trying to figure out what techniques and settings work best in fostering gratitude among kids—and we’re still a few years away from definitive conclusions.

It is, for example, worth considering variables that could moderate intervention effects before drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of gratitude interventions, such as how often students engage in gratitude practices—a major factor influencing the effects of any positive psychology technique. Other variables matter, too, such as students’ enjoyment of the lessons, and the effectiveness with which the lessons are delivered.

Unlike other intervention research, the YGP curriculum addresses these critical variables head-on. It’s including such variables to determine intervention effectiveness, and it’s including teacher training, so that lessons can be experienced as a natural part of the school day and be better personalized by students and educators. This will undoubtedly go a long way in helping to identify and craft more standard and effective techniques for interventions.

How gratitude is practiced matters

The GGSC's coverage of gratitude is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation as part of our Expanding Gratitude project.

The main idea of the YGP curriculum is that varied gratitude practices, such as journaling, that genuinely build on students’ strengths and guide them to have more meaningful interactions and discussion with peers, teachers, and other adults more regularly should help students feel more socially competent and connected, be more satisfied with school, have better mental health and emotional well-being, and be more motivated about school and their future.

Preliminary evidence for the effects of our gratitude and purpose curriculum so far indicate that it is helping to decrease depression, anxiety, and antisocial behavior and increase hope, emotional regulation, and search for purpose. We will soon explore effects on other outcomes of interest to schools and move to fill many of the crucial gaps in this research area.

In short, research on what good gratitude is to youth development, students, and schools is trickling in and better tools for measuring gratitude in children will soon be available to help advance basic and applied research.

What practices should gratitude interventions include? They should start by identifying and engaging students’ character strengths and interests; and they should let students appreciate the different benefits and benefactors in their lives for themselves. Let’s go beyond lists and dry journals. As my story shows, when people “get” us and help us through tough times, gratitude grows. Bringing the full spectrum of human experience into grateful focus is key, and it seems to be a missing ingredient from youth intervention studies done so far too. My research so far suggests that this is the way to go.

In the meantime, schools participating in the YGP curriculum have shared anecdotes about students’ and parents’ enthusiasm for the gratitude lessons. Indeed, the character strength and gratitude exercises have not only been affirmational—strengthening pride in students’ achievements and building a sense of community—but they have also been hijacking much of the wall space at the Open Houses! In my opinion, this may be because the lessons are helping students to appreciate the value of altruistic choices in school and recognize the good intentions of others, which helps them feel supported in reaching for better. I imagine that’s good for teachers, staff, and neighborhoods, too.

It’s hard to say where gratitude research will lead us. But my childhood experiences tell me that it’s a project well worth pursuing.

What Don’t We Know about Gratitude and Youth?

When I was nine years old, I came down with a serious case of encephalitis. I spent a couple of weeks drifting in and out of sleep, hooked up to tubes and IVs, unable to talk—and then I slipped into a coma. A doctor warned my mom and dad that I might not come out “normal” or be able to walk again. When I came through a week later, I was happy to see my parents and my aunt standing in front of me, masks covering their mouths, their eyes open with relief and trembling with concern. I figured something was wrong, but didn’t understand what.

“I want pizza,” I uttered.

I had to wait a week before I could eat regular food. But my parents and relatives talked with me about the things I could do when I got out, which helped me to set my sights on getting better. And the many prayers from loved ones mattered; I believed them. When one nurse, named Flo, asked me about my hobbies and interests, it made me feel special and it focused me on things I wanted to do again. She was surprised to learn that I had never had a shake. As soon as I could eat regular food again, Flo showed up with a chocolate shake for me! I was filled with gratitude.

Knowing that people were there for me and believed in me guided my focus and gave me strength. It was the highlight of each day when my parents arrived with a treat or homemade food. I believed their encouragement that I was strong and would get out soon. I surprised the doctor with my recovery by the end of the week and, after leaving the hospital, with my progress through physical therapy.

My lifelong interest in the positive power of relationships started with this negative life event. Twenty-three years later, I began scientifically exploring gratitude in postdoctoral work with Michael McCullough at the University of Miami. Though I started out studying forgiveness, I was surprised to learn that there was virtually no research on the development of gratitude. I had found my niche!

As an immigrant who had always gravitated towards adults who personally cared about my development, gratitude seemed particularly valuable to me and to the topic of supporting youth achievement. In 2007, Michael Furlong at UC Santa Barbara invited me to write a chapter on the potential of gratitude in school. Research on gratitude in youth was just emerging, mainly being done by a psychologist at Hofstra University by the name of Jeffrey Froh. Jeff and I wrote two chapters about gratitude, and as we embarked on more research together, we sought a grant to support our work. In 2011, thanks to funding from the John Templeton Foundation, the Youth Gratitude Project (YGP) was born. We’re working with hundreds of students and educators to understand how to measure and cultivate gratitude in schools and at home.

Today, I’m often asked, “What’s the secret to instilling gratitude in kids?” This question is tough to answer in a few sentences because gratitude is a complex social behavior that we must personalize and work at regularly to grow (just like nutritional or exercise habits that last). It will emerge spontaneously, in situations like the one I faced. But can we cultivate gratitude and its benefits in our daily lives? The truth is that the science of gratitude is just starting out—and there’s a lot we still don’t know. Here’s an overview of what we’ve discovered about kids and thankfulness, and the questions we’re still trying to answer.

Figuring out what happens when kids say “thanks”

• GRATITUDE IN SCHOOLS WEBINAR

  On February 23, Giacomo Bono presented a webinar on incorporating gratitude into schools and classrooms, based on the research described in this essay. You can watch it on YouTube!

To start, we tried to figure out how to measure gratitude in children and teens. Research had yet to verify if existing measures of gratitude were suitable for assessing gratitude in 10-19 year olds. We examined this in a study six years ago, and our main findings were that the standard for measuring the grateful personality in adults, the GQ-6, did not perform well for 10-13 year olds but was sufficient for 14-19 year olds.

We recommended that better measures needed to be developed for children younger than 13. We are now examining if modified versions of the GQ-6 that use more age-appropriate wording or formatting perform with greater consistency and accuracy for 7-19 year olds. We also need a measure for preschoolers, and we’re currently conducting assessment studies with that group. Lack of such measures hinders basic and applied research on gratitude in youth.

The YGP also addressed the effects of gratitude on children and teens. An early study of 14-19 year olds linked gratitude to outcomes like better GPA, less envy and depression, and more life satisfaction and flow. We also found that materialism tended to negatively affect these outcomes.

We’re examining these and other relationships longitudinally—meaning that we’re following how they unfold over time—and findings so far show that gratitude is related to more prosocial behavior, satisfaction with life, hope, and search for purpose, and less antisocial behavior and depression over a period of four years. One study we just submitted for publication shows that gratitude and prosocial behavior reinforce each other—and that adolescents who show more gratitude are more likely to be skilled at identifying goals and strategizing ways to reach them, and they tend to be more empathic and trusting. These findings suggest that gratitude helps youth develop their competencies and become their own person by gradually improving themselves and how they interact with others.

Finally, another study of ours found that 8-11 year old students could be taught to think gratefully (i.e., be better at appraising gifts they receive from benefactors) in school and that doing so supports their emotional well-being over a period of five months. It also, unsurprisingly, leads them to express thanks more, compared to students who were not taught grateful thinking. We are also examining the effects of a gratitude and purpose curriculum on students in grades 4-12. 

So far, so good. So, what’s next?