Wealth and Happiness

04/01/2009

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.
Viktor Frankl, from his book, Man’s Search for Meaning

Yes! magazine (Winter 2009) compared rankings of nations in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Happy Planet Index. The Happy Planet Index shows the relative efficiency with which nations convert the planet’s natural resources into long and happy lives for their citizens.

What Yes! found was that there does not seem to be a direct correlation between wealth and happiness. Two of the nations ranking highest in the Happy Planet Index, Indonesia and Mexico, ranked extremely low in GDP. And, the United States ranks highest in GDP but among the lowest in the Happy Planet Index. On the other hand, Russia ranks low in GDP and among the lowest in the Happy Planet Index.

Improving Environments for Children

Exchange has many resources for improving center environments. You can purchase all of them in our new Environments Tool Kit at an 18% discount. Or you can order the items individually. Included in the kit...

Books:

Caring Spaces, Learning Places: Children's Environments That Work
Natural Playscapes: Creating Outdoor Play Environments for the Soul
Learning With Nature Idea Book: Creating Nurturing Outdoor Spaces for Children

Beginning Workshop Units:

Environments for Special Needs
Environments
Environments With Families in Mind
Outdoor Environments
Space
Environments to Engage Children
Learning Materials

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For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.