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TED Talks are an online phenomenon. Different speakers present a range of thought-provoking speeches on every topic you can think of, from world economics to parenting.
These videos provide a perfect getaway for busy parents. Hearing from charismatic, articulate and inspirational speakers can be both fascinating and illuminating. These speakers help simplify complex concepts and weave them into an engaging, thought-provoking narrative for their audiences.
One particular category of TED Talks that have become incredibly popular recently is parenting-relaTED Talks. New parents find it challenging to develop effective parenting methods in an age where screens start talking to children even before their parents do. Our specially curated list of talks can help you simplify your parenting process and connect with your children better.🤝
But, can watching TED Talks really make that much of a difference for you? Absolutely. Here’s how:
Why watch TED Talks?
Some TED Talks are potentially life-changing and are capable of altering your perception of parenting (for the better, of course) forever. Here are some reasons why watching TED Talks is such a great investment of your time:
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Learn from experts 😎
These 10 to 20-minute speeches are provided by people who have invested a significant portion of their lives in the concerned field. For example, talks about parenting are usually delivered by renowned child psychologists, researchers, or experienced educators.
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There’s always something new to learn 🤔
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TED is diverse 🌍
TED Talks happen all around the globe with people from different cultural backgrounds. This means the speakers have a lot to offer in terms of perspective. Such variety can help you develop a broader point of view and learn from all the diversity in the world. It can introduce you to new parenting styles and help you develop a healthy, well-rounded opinion on diverse topics.
Must-watch TED Talks for parents
We know how tiring it can be to surf through the thousands of videos on TEDs channels, especially if you are a busy parent. So, we have listed some of our favourite TED Talks to get you started: ✅
1. Julie Lythcott-Haims, 'How to Raise Successful Kids - Without Over-Parenting'
This is by far one of the most powerful speeches TED Talks have to offer. Julie Lythcott-Hims, a top-selling author of parenting books like ‘How to Raise an Adult’, delivers a powerful speech regarding over-parenting and how it affects children.
Here, Julie Lythcott-Haims begs you to question the standards that we set for our children. She is critical about all the expectations that kids at school have to go through and how it becomes counterproductive for them in the long term.
Julie’s persuasive speech and critical analysis forces parents to reconsider their ideas and reevaluate what’s best for their children. First, she goes over the most popular parenting styles and how they affect our children. Then, she tells us to question these ordeals and suggests better things to do.
If your kid is just starting secondary school, this is a must-watch.
2. Angela Lee Duckworth, 'Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance'
Angela Lee Duckworth, a former teacher, shares her experiences from her years spent teaching young kids.
This 6-minute video, with the same title as her famous book, analyses her best and worst-performing students over the years and ties psychological perspectives behind it.
In this TED Talk, Angela Lee Duckworth breaks the most conventional ideas of ‘being smart’ in school and proposes inclusive ideas for everyone.
3. Temple Grandin, 'The World Needs All Kinds of Minds'
This is a must-watch for every parent. Temple Grandin, an inspiring role model for thousands of autistic people, offers a magnificent speech about mental diversity and how it’s a good thing.
At least one in eight children is neurodiverse in the UK. For example, they could be living with ADHD and autism. Unfortunately, many parents often fail to recognise this, and when they do, they have trouble adapting.
This is an empowering video to watch as Temple Grandin explores how her autism was a blessing rather than a curse. She explores the unique things that she can do because of her autism, inspiring young kids that also live with autism..
4. Gever Tulley, '5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do'
This is a classic example of how TED Talks can change your thought processes for the better.
Most parents want safety for their children; however, this can hamper their creativity and curiosity in the process. Gever Tulley points this out in this TED Talk and recommends that you should instead involve your kids in dangerous activities.
Gever Tulley is the founder of the Tinkering School, which allows kids to be free with their creativity. He argues that providing kids with these experiences can encourage independent thinking and curiosity.
5. Jennifer Senior, 'For Parents, Happiness Is a Very High Bar'
If the phrase ‘I want my kids to be happy’ is dear to you, this TED Talk is a reality check you might need.
Many parents believe that encouraging happiness in their children is their main aim, which Jennfier Senior critiques as being not the best strategy.
In this TED Talk, she discusses how there are much better alternatives, like teaching morals and work ethics, which are more sustainable and practical for your family’s well-being.
6. Shane Koyczan, 'To This Day… For the Bullied and Beautiful'
Shane Koyczan, a musician, poet, and writer, might just bring you to tears with this TED Talk.
In this speech, he explores the sensitive topic of bullying and how it can impact your kids’ in so many ways. This is a real heartbreaking yet thought-provoking video that you can watch together with your kids. In case your kids have been bullied or witnessed someone being bullied, this video can help you both understand the problem and how to deal with it.
7. Emma Marris, 'Nature Is Everywhere — We Just Need to Learn to See It'
If your kids are growing up in the city, you should watch this.
Environmental writer Emma Marris asks us, in this eye-opening speech, to redefine nature around us. She argues how exploring nature is important for children’s growth.
This video helps parents utilise the readily available resources around them. She encourages parents to let their children explore nature, even if they’re confined to concrete.
8. Jedidah Isler, 'The Untapped Genius That Could Change Science for the Better'
In this TED Talk, Jedidah Isler, a renowned astrophysicist, shares her experiences growing up as a person of colour and how it affected her in university. No matter how progressive the world becomes, there will always be some difficult experiences your kids will face. Sadly, certain experiences can demotivate them, and worse, make them question their place in society.
This video is the perfect voice that could inspire them. The journey of Jedidah Isler is a motivating one and inspires us to be proud of who we are.
9. Ramsey Musallam, '3 Rules to Spark Learning'
Ramsey Musallam, a chemistry teacher, highlights how kids can learn best through a mix of curiosity, experiments, and reflection.
He explores how teaching can be a thrilling experience, and with proper techniques, how it can spark passion and interest among students. In this video, he gives you three essential rules to help your child learn efficiently.
10. Astro Teller, 'The Unexpected Benefit of Celebrating Failure'
Astro Teller, a successful entrepreneur, shares his secret for succeeding in life.
Many parents might put undue pressure on their kids, preventing them from experimenting and failing. However, Astro argues that failing is vital for succeeding in life. He draws lessons from his experiences in work and how experimenting and embracing failure helped him solve problems and grow.
11. Robert Waldinger, 'What Makes a Good Life? Lessons From the Longest Study on Happiness'
The best thing that a parent can do for their kid is ensured that they can live a good life independently. Learning about what makes life pleasing and joyful can help your child focus on taking concrete steps towards getting there.
In this video, Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist, and professor at Harvard Medical School shares a 75-year-long study on happiness and discusses the outcomes of that study.
Contrary to the metrics like wealth and fame that most parents use to define a good life for their kids, Robert shows that happiness is attained by non-conventional factors. This is a must-watch if you want to gain a different perspective on happiness.
TED Talks are a great parenting resource for you to understand your kids better and challenge the status quo when it comes to parenting. We strongly recommend using online resource hubs like TED if you want to explore new parenting styles and learn more about the world around you.
