Want your child to experience awe this summer? Me, too. Here are a few things we can do.
From the Wissahickon Valley to a site referenced in an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries," these places have sparked a sense of wonder for my students.
As the sweltering heat descends onto our city, take a moment to remember that cold day in February when we celebrated the Eagles on Broad Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Mmm. Brisk. Do you remember the cold?
More importantly, do you recall the deep connection between us that day?
Did that scene — the sea of fans, the joy, the togetherness — ignite powerful emotions in you? Sociologist Emile Durkheim coined the term collective effervescence to describe those exhilarating moments when the hair stands on the back of our necks while feeling a profound connection with others during a communal ceremony.
Durkheim referred to this experience as “the oceanic ‘we’”— a feeling that sweeps us up in a wave of shared identity and bliss.
In his book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, the University of California, Berkeley psychologist Dacher Keltner identifies collective effervescence as one of the “wonders of life” that people experience.
Keltner places collective effervescence alongside other awe-inspiring experiences: encounters with nature, art, moral beauty (think sacrifice, selflessness, perseverance), religion and spirituality, and even reminders of life and death, among others.
Awe is not as elusive as one would think, says Keltner.
By remaining open to new experiences, practicing mindfulness, and immersing ourselves in the wonders of life, we can invite this emotion into our lives more frequently. And experiencing awe comes with benefits: Keltner discovered that awe fuels a sense of wonder — which itself leads to further learning, imagining, and creativity.
As a teacher, I have spent the past few years creating programs to immerse students in the wonders of life and sharing the results with others, from Villanova to Nashville. I have witnessed amazing things happen to young people when they are out of the classroom and exposed to the world around them.
Here — using Keltner’s categories as a framework — is a regional roster of places that have sparked wonder and awe for me and my students, which might be useful for you and your child this summer.
Moral beauty: Volunteer your time to prepare and serve a meal at Broad Street Love in Center City, or the St. Francis Inn in Kensington. Witness the relentless energy radiating from the organizers and the uplifting resilience of the guests they serve.
Nature: No need to venture far to discover nature’s beauty. Enjoy a day of viewing great blue herons, egrets, and maybe even bald eagles at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, or take a revitalizing hike through the serene landscapes of the Wissahickon Valley’s meadows and remind yourself you are in Philadelphia.
Art: Plan a visit to the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, home to the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art outside the United Kingdom, and let the dreamy works stir something in you.
Religion (with a touch of history and mystery): Escape the heat by visiting the National Shrine of St. John Neumann in Northern Liberties. Prep for the trip by revisiting the Unsolved Mysteries episode that recounts the Miracle of Chucky McGivern of Philadelphia.
Life and death: As summer draws to a close, reflect on the impermanence of life during a mindful walk through Laurel Hill Cemetery. Try to find the “Mother and Twins” and William Warner monuments, two mesmerizing sculptures.
An epiphany: Book a free stargazing session at the Widener University Observatory, and marvel at the celestial wonders above.
As you open your child to the habit of lifelong learning and the possibility of wonder, stand back and witness what takes place. It’s awesome.
Jeffrey Laughead is the director of student development at the Woodlynde School in Strafford, Chester County.