Everyday Wonder
How Parents Can Spark Awe, Empathy, and Sustainability in Kids
Dr. LaKeisha Thorpe is a lifelong educator, sustainability advocate, and the co-executive director of Green America. With nearly 20 years in education and a deep passion for people and the planet, Dr. Thorpe understands how transformative it can be when children are empowered to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be.
In a heartfelt interview with Global Galactics, she shared insights on everything from the power of storytelling to the realities of food deserts—and how parents can ignite awe, empathy, and sustainability in children starting right at home.
Awe Comes Preloaded: Drawing Wonder Out of Kids
“Children come built in with their own awe and wonder, the same way some toys come with batteries,” Dr. Thorpe says. The challenge, she explains, is not creating wonder, but drawing it out. Kids already see the world as magical—they just need the freedom to explore it.
Adults often default to giving instructions or facts—but wonder lives in questions, not commands. Rather than saying “Eat your veggies,” she encourages parents to ask, “Do you know where grapes come from?” or “What do you think jelly is made of?” This gentle redirection from telling to asking helps children tap into their natural sense of curiosity and discover the story behind the ordinary.
When we start to invite kids into a sense of mystery, they not only learn more, but they begin to care more. Curiosity deepens when it’s connected to meaning. Whether it’s the mystery of a watermelon seed or a child marveling at the kindness behind a necklace gift, wonder blooms when children feel engaged, seen, and part of the story.
Even small, shared moments of awe can make a big impact. Looking at a bug up close, asking where clouds come from, or wondering what’s on the other side of the moon—all of these questions allow kids to feel like explorers in their own world. And parents don’t need to know all the answers. The key is to stay curious with them.
Turn Tooth Fairies Into Teachable Moments
Dr. Thorpe reminds us that even whimsical traditions carry profound emotional lessons. The Tooth Fairy, for example, is more than just a fantasy—it’s a comforting story that helps children navigate the fear of losing teeth. “That’s horrifying!” she laughs. “But we wrap it in a story, and suddenly it becomes magical.”
She emphasizes that when we wrap real emotions in a metaphor or tale, kids not only feel safer, they become more emotionally literate. Stories like the Tooth Fairy normalize change and loss while offering a comforting narrative structure. It’s a way to teach kids that hard things can still be magical.
This storytelling magic can be applied to nearly anything. When a young cousin wasted water while brushing his teeth, Dr. Thorpe didn’t scold—she told him the fish in the ocean needed that water. He connected instantly. Story becomes bridge. Metaphor becomes lesson. And suddenly, sustainability is personal.
She urges parents to look at the everyday and find its hidden narrative. What story does your shoe tell? What if your sweater could talk about the journey it’s had? By turning mundane routines into stories, we awaken a child’s empathy—and often, our own.
Food as Story, Grocery Stores as Classrooms
Dr. Thorpe is particularly passionate about food justice and nutrition access—especially in communities impacted by food deserts. But she’s also keenly aware that children often have no concept of where their food comes from. She turns grocery store trips into immersive learning experiences.
She suggests that the produce aisle is a perfect place to start. “What’s this? These are grapes. Do you know how grapes grow? Do you know what grapes make?” That’s how awe begins. It doesn’t require a biology degree—just patience and playfulness. Every food item becomes a launchpad for questions.
More than just facts, she emphasizes that food is story, culture, and history. A pineapple isn’t just a fruit—it may connect to a story about travel, trade, or family meals. Teaching kids to look at food as something that came from the earth (and not just a box) invites them into a deeper connection with their bodies, their cultures, and the planet.
She advises parents to embrace curiosity, even if they don’t have all the answers: “It’s okay to tell them, ‘I don’t know, but let’s find out together.’” This mindset models lifelong learning and creates a bond between parent and child rooted in exploration.
Small Steps, Big Empathy
Teaching sustainability doesn't require parents to be experts—it requires them to be present. She encourages library trips, exploring National Geographic books, or simply staring up at the sky together. “There’s always a show in the sky,” she says. “Just take two seconds and look up. You’re going to see something cool.”
Small actions, she notes, compound over time. If a child grows up thinking about where water goes when it runs down the drain, or how bees find flowers, they begin to ask better questions about the world around them. Empathy is built in the details.
She also emphasizes that weaving family traditions and cultural knowledge into these lessons strengthens their power. A lesson about saving water means more when it’s tied to something personal—like saving cereal for breakfast. “Kids are hyper-fixated on what they’ll lose,” she says. “Help them see what they’ll gain instead.”
In a world with big problems, she reminds us that little learners need small, consistent acts of care. Empathy isn’t just about the environment—it’s about neighbors, classmates, animals, and ancestors. Awe is the beginning of understanding, and understanding leads to action.
Give, Don’t Just Get
Even clothes can teach empathy and sustainability. When kids outgrow a beloved shirt, she doesn’t just put it in a donation bin—she explains why someone else might love it, too. Likewise, for children inheriting hand-me-downs, she suggests involving them in choosing how to style or personalize the clothing. It's all about ownership through story.
“Children want to feel proud,” she says. “Even when we’re giving them something used, if we frame it as special, they’ll treat it as special.” Kids often resist change because it feels like loss. But when we help them connect it to a larger purpose—like generosity or creativity—they lean in.
The same goes for giving. When children give toys, clothes, or books away, it helps them understand they’re part of a community. Let them decorate the donation box or write a note for the next kid who will receive their gift. These little rituals reinforce the joy of sharing.
Teaching kids to value what they have (and to share it with pride) also fights back against consumer culture. It roots children in gratitude, creativity, and purpose—all through something as simple as getting dressed.
Leading with Authenticity
As a leader, Dr. Thorpe models what she hopes others will pass on to children: creativity, curiosity, and compassion. She encourages her team at Green America to show up as whole people. “I ask them in interviews—what makes you smile? What do you do outside of work? Because I want them to bring their full selves to the job.”
When adults feel safe and seen, they pass that energy on. The same applies in homes. When parents allow themselves to slow down, laugh, and wonder alongside their kids, it creates an environment of mutual learning and joy.
She also believes in making time for quiet moments—journaling, doodling, even daydreaming. In these pauses, she says, ideas emerge. “If we don’t leave room for silence, we don’t leave room for insight.”
Children model what they see. When parents practice awe, kindness, and imagination, kids follow. And when those values are lived authentically—rather than just taught—they have a lasting impact.
Key Takeaways for Families
Children are naturally wired for wonder—parents just need to help them connect it to meaning and curiosity.
Storytelling is a powerful teaching tool, especially for complex topics like sustainability or nutrition.
Daily routines can be turned into mini lessons—from the grocery aisle to the bathroom sink.
Empathy begins with connection—helping kids understand how their actions affect others and the world.
Adults should practice awe, too—whether through looking up at the sky or taking time for simple joys like coloring or cooking.
Inspired to Take Action?
Want to nurture a sense of awe, wonder, and responsibility in your child’s life? Here are a few simple ways to begin:
Look Up Together: Start or end the day by gazing at the sky. Name clouds, track stars, or watch the wind move through trees.
Tell a Story with Every Lesson: Connect everyday routines—like brushing teeth or choosing clothes—to playful stories and meaningful values.
Explore Where Your Food Comes From: Take kids to a farmer’s market, plant a seed in a cup, or learn together about how different foods grow.
Give With Intention: Involve your child in donating toys or clothes they’ve outgrown. Celebrate the act of giving, not just getting.
Stay Curious Together: When your child asks a question you can’t answer, say “Let’s find out together,” and go on a knowledge adventure.
Dr. Thorpe reminds us that we don’t need to have all the answers—we just need to be willing to explore the questions with our kids. Awe isn’t something we give them. It’s something we grow together.
