Tag: rebecca peragine

Raising Compassionate, Globally Conscious Children

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Hippie in Disguise ro and sen Chassin Rideau Canal

Environmental Consciousness. Social Change. Mindfulness. Global Compassion. Minimalism. Holistic Living. Arts. Adventure. Education. Inspiration.

These are words that drive me, that I try to knit together in the way I live and in the way I raise my children. They are also words that perfectly describe the Global Guardian Project.

Last August I wrote about my friend Rebecca‘s new idea: The Global Guardian Project, a digital multimedia capsule for children and families that teaches about the world, global stewardship, sustainability, plants, animals, social and environmental activists, and lots more. The capsule is basically an interactive digital magazine for families to help learn more about the planet, country by country.

The intent of the Global Guardian Project is to expose ourselves and our children to the wide world of not just nature, but the intricate connections between human cultures and the ecosystems that support us, with the ultimate goal of helping us raise the next generation as global guardians, stewards of the planet.

Hippie in Disguise Rideau River Ottawa

With this in mind, the capsules are designed to educate, but also to inspire action. That is, to cultivate a greater caring for the earth and all its inhabitants and to inspire us to take small (and big) actions to improve the health of our planet for the collective good. The capsules were initially very popular with homeschooling and worldschooling families, as they cover a lot of science, geography, art and language curriculum, but they have also become popular with families seeking more enriching digital (“screen”) time and others just interested in learning more about the world. I should mention that while the capsules are digital, they can easily be printed, so if you are not keen on screen time then you can read the capsules the old fashioned way: on paper.

  • What is a learning capsule? Picture a digital magazine that is interactive, with videos to click and watch, art and activity downloads, links to TED talks and other resources, as well as beautiful photography, original art and lots of educational facts and information, interviews and more.

After receiving my first capsule I got even more excited about the project, there is really no resource like the Global Guardian Project out there. The multimedia format is unique and engaging. The content is interesting and inspiring. But most importantly, the core mission of the project: to raise a generation of global change makers by teaching children about how to care for the earth is so critical and close to my heart that I knew I wanted to be involved in helping the project grow. As the weeks and months passed I found myself suggesting ideas, writing content, working with contributors and generally being an all-around cheerleader for the project.

After noting my enthusiasm and my tendency to write a lot (sorry, for this long introduction, by the way..) Rebecca asked if I would like to be the Guest Editor for the upcoming capsule on Canada. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I said yes, though I invited my trusted writing (and life) partner, Matt, to plan and edit the issue with me. I invited some great thinkers, artists and friends to help out too: artist Erin Wetzel, nutritionist Kylah Dobson and permaculture farmer Zach Loeks. Together, with the team of Global Guardian Project regulars, we put together an amazing interactive digital magazine.

Global guardian Project Homeschool Curriculum Canada Animals Plants

And….the issue is now available for purchase from Global Guardian Project’s website either as a single issue (“a la carte”) or as part of their monthly subscription program. If you subscribe, you save considerably, and you get the advantage of building on learning each month, especially with the world map activities. As well, you can cancel at any time, even after one issue.

Here’s a little preview:

Each capsule is comprised of:

  • Over 60 pages of facts and information covering the country basics like size and geography, endangered animals and how we can help them, indigenous plants, related vocabulary and definitions for new words like (fossil, aerodynamic, habitat and so on), book reviews, and much more.
  • Videos showing children taking action in their local communities, for example by helping turtles.
  • Healthy, local recipes and demonstration videos
  • Profiles of activists, ecological leaders and inspiring people from the featured country to inspire action
  • A podcast guided meditation appropriate (and fun) for children and families
  • Art projects and downloads, such as colouring sheets
  • Map projects and other interactive activities
  • Lots more!

I hope you’ll consider buying one for yourself or someone in your life. While the capsules are geared to children (ages 3 and up), homeschoolers and teachers, lots of adults have been saying they enjoy them and have learned a lot from reading them. If you know Matt, then you know he has a knack for finding really cool facts and stories about natural phenomena. Keep in mind, the capsules make a great last minute gift for any occasion, since there is no delivery time.

  • You can buy the Canada edition ($16.99) or subscribe to the series for $13.49 per month, using my discount code HIPPIEINDISGUISE.
  • If you subscribe by January 14th, 2017 you will receive the Canada capsule, if you subscribe after you will get the Sri Lanka capsule, since a new capsule is released to subscribers on the 15th of each month.

You can read more about the Global Guardian Project here, you can visit their website here, find them on Instagram @globalguardianproject. If you sign up for their email list you’ll get a free mini capsule about Ocean Life. Why not try it out?!

Any questions, please leave a comment below.

UPDATE: The Global Guardian Project is currently crowdfunding to support the project. Please consider supporting the work, as little as $1 will help! Crowdfunding ends October 20th, 2017!

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Creative Mother Rebecca: On how children inspire design

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I had another intro written for this piece…but in the wake of the Paris attacks yesterday, I keep asking myself what should I be doing differently, if anything, to raise my children to be open and loving, to be peaceful especially, in the face of what seems like perpetual conflict across the globe. The values we instil in our children are what they take to school and into the future. The core of what they experience at home is what they will come back to in times of struggle. Feeling at one with peace, peace in our hearts, peace in our thoughts, peace toward others, peace toward ourselves, this becomes their home base. The more peace we experience, the more it radiates from us, the more people it touches. I think these small gestures can be huge. Thinking peaceful thoughts won’t solve clashes between abstract ideas, but their energy and intention will not go unfelt.

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I want to introduce you to Rebecca. Rebecca is a mother, artist and social entrepreneur and the creative woman behind Children Inspire Design. I first met Rebecca when we worked together to raise funds for Free2Luv, an anti-bullying organization. Rebecca has combined her artistic passions into a socially responsible business that supports charities, all while creating educational art for children.In addition, all of her products are made sustainably, including using eco inks and biodegradable packaging. Rebecca aims to develop a sense of compassion for the earth and all its inhabitants and diverse cultures through her art for children.

It seems eerily fitting that I had this post planned for today. Peace and love start at home, cultivating compassion for the earth, all its people, cultures, and ways of life. Whether this happens through conversation, play, storytelling, or modelling, we are raising the next generation. Let’s raise one that has mutual respect and peace at its core.

Thank you, Rebecca, for making such thoughtful art that can help us have critically important conversations with our children.

Tell me a little bit about yourself. What is your background?

I am a nomadic artist at heart. I’ve been living back in the [United] States with my family for 10 years now, but we are always on our way to a new place to discover. I’m married to a lovely Italian, we have two children and currently call Southern California home. I created Children Inspire Design while living in Mexico with my very young family. I saw a need for global inspired nursery decor, specifically art that supports multi-cultural families. So I started designing alphabet and number prints in different languages and things just grew from there.  Children Inspire Design is now 10 years old (yikes)!

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What part of the world do you live in?

We’re currently in Southern California, but have kept our nomadic roots. While at home we have a lovely charter school our children belong to that allows us to homeschool while on the road. We’re currently packing our bags for a visit to Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We’ve worked hard to find a community to belong to that also supports our desire to travel and after a long road we’re grateful we’ve found it.

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

We have two boys, now 12 and 9. In a blink is an understatement. My kids are my muses, the whole reason for my business. I have this deep seeded need to show them the world, all the beautiful parts, the scenes, the colors, smells, tastes. The diversity and similarities. I want them to discover for themselves and get a sense of where they belong in this big, beautiful world. And they are eager. They’re at such a ripe spongy stage. The world is still a gorgeous mystery to them and they are optimistic and eager. It’s my job to do my best to maintain that for them. And to be able to create art for like minded global families who see the importance of this type of education.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

Travel.  Of course

What are you passionate about?

Experiencing new places as a family.

What are some words you live by?

“It comes and it goes. As it should.”

“A smile does wonders.”

Can you tell me a bit about Children Inspired Design? What are your products and how are they produced?

I’m the artist behind Children Inspire Design (CID).  I create the majority of the art designs in collage form using recycled papers. Simple cut and paste. Even my method is childlike and I like that.

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CID shares profits with charities, how does that work?

Yes, in two ways. We donate 10% of proceeds from our sales on ChildrenInspireDesign.com to women and children-focused initiatives. We also partner with non-profits by designing exclusive art and donating 100% proceeds for a designated period of time. In the past we worked with global foundations such as Gain Health and raised enough money from our world map design to provide nutrition for 8,000 Rwandan mothers and children for an entire month. That was an amazing project to be a part of. I would do that forever if I could!

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Who designs your graphics?

I do 90% of the designs. Every now and again I pull someone in to finish up an idea I just can’t put together on my own.

What is the ethos of Children Inspired Design?

Inspire Children. Change The World. If we can teach children how to care for the earth now, carrying that responsibility into the future will be second nature for them. Teach the littles compassion for the Earth and all who inhabit it. I think that’s our best hope to get them out of the mess we created.

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Why did you decide to start a business?

Before Children Inspire Design, we were living in Isla Mujeres, Mexico and I owned a little coffee shop. From that experience I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I loved the feeling of my baby on my hip while running a business. I knew I could do it.

Do have any projects or collaborations coming up?

YES!  I haven’t made the official announcement yet, but I’m partnering with travel blog Global Munchkins as a contributing family travel blogger, so there will be lots of traveling in our near future. Together we’re launching the Global Guardian Project, which is a resource blog for global minded parents looking for educational projects/deep travel tips/videos on how kids can help care for the earth in everyday life. Each place we travel, I’ll be partnering with environmental organizations and my kids will be interviewing them and creating videos for kids teaching how you can help in everyday life. It’s a HUGE educational opportunity for my family and for Children Inspire Design. My hope is to be able to grow as a global resource for parents and inspire adults and kids alike to create change.

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What are your dreams for your professional work and your family?

I just want my family to keep traveling and learning and to make art that help parents educate their littles.  That would be a true gift.   If my family is proud of me, there’s nothing else I need.

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Thank you Rebecca! Friends: you can find Children Inspire Design online shop here and on Instagram @childreninspiredesign. Her other shop is Kindred Sol Collective.

I will be hosting a one-day sale on my Instagram account on Sunday, November 15, 2015, where you’ll be able to purchase our favourite piece from Rebecca’s collection: the Our Earth interactive map, with reusable stickers.

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