TED Talks Kids and Family
163 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago - ★★★★ - 460 ratingsFun videos to inspire, intrigue and stir your imagination from some of the world's leading thinkers and doers onstage at the TED conference, TEDx events and partner events around the world. You can also download these and many other videos free on TED.com, with an interactive English transcript and subtitles in up to 80 languages. TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.
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Episodes
A foster care system where every child has a loving home | Sixto Cancel
May 24, 2023 14:58 - 10 minutes VideoIn the US, youth in foster care are nearly twice as likely as war veterans to suffer from PTSD. Placed in foster care at just 11 months old, 2023 Audacious Project grantee Sixto Cancel experienced the faults of the system firsthand. Now, he's the founder of Think of Us, an organization working to reform child welfare by centering kinship care, or placing a child with an extended family member or a familiar adult. Learn more about his plan to help thousands of kids searching for a lov...
3 steps to help kids process traumatic events | Kristen Nguyen
February 17, 2023 15:54 - 11 minutes VideoWhat do we say to kids when intensely traumatic events interrupt everyday life? Whether you're a teacher, parent or community builder, educator Kristen Nguyen provides three research-backed steps for navigating these difficult conversations, restoring a sense of safety and facilitating collective healing.
The nostalgia behind your favorite Chinese food | Vincent Yeow Lim
February 09, 2023 16:17 - 9 minutes VideoAs a proud and passionate restaurant owner, Vincent Yeow Lim takes after his father and grandfather in the family tradition of Chinese cooking. Lim makes a delicious case to elevate the reputation of Chinese food, sharing why the comforting flavors behind iconic dishes -- like a hearty helping of perfectly made fried rice -- come from a long line of love, nostalgia and mastery that deserves to be recognized.
How to participate in your own legal defense | Lam Ho
January 30, 2023 16:06 - 6 minutes VideoLawyers are advocates for their clients -- and, in court, they're usually the ones who do the talking. Should that always be the case? In an effort to shift this power dynamic, TED Fellow and legal aid activist Lam Ho shares how lawyers can create space for people to tell their own stories in the courtroom, making them active participants in the legal process and producing surprisingly positive results.
Why joy is a state of mind | Angélique Kidjo and Femi Oke
November 28, 2022 16:20 - 17 minutes VideoWith infectious energy, singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo ties together the threads of her legendary career as a creative force and global activist. In conversation with journalist Femi Oke, she discusses how joy powers her music (and sings an incredible impromptu song), details her work spreading educational opportunities to women and girls across Africa and shares her belief that everybody has the power to tap into their potential.
A colorful case for outside-the-box thinking on identity | Olivia Vinckier
November 11, 2022 16:07 - 6 minutes VideoHave you ever been forced to limit your identity to a single box on an application, survey or census questionnaire? For many, it is a futile and overall outdated exercise, especially for those with multiracial and multi-ethnic backgrounds. Olivia Vinckier makes the case for recognizing and accepting, rather than limiting, the growing reality that identity is multifaceted, ever-expanding -- and more colorful than you think.
You don't actually know what your future self wants | Shankar Vedantam
October 06, 2022 14:55 - 14 minutes Video"You are constantly becoming a new person," says journalist Shankar Vedantam. In a talk full of beautiful storytelling, he explains the profound impact of something he calls the "illusion of continuity" -- the belief that our future selves will share the same views, perspectives and hopes as our current selves -- and shows how we can more proactively craft the people we are to become.
5 parenting tips for raising resilient, self-reliant kids | Tameka Montgomery
October 03, 2022 15:18 - 17 minutes VideoHow do you raise kids to step outside of their comfort zones and unlock their inner potential? It all starts with helping them develop a resilient mindset. Mother and business owner Tameka Montgomery makes the case for cultivating an entrepreneurial outlook at an early age -- and offers five strategies for emboldening young minds to embrace opportunities and solve their own problems, no matter the path they choose.
The most powerful yet overlooked resource in schools | Heejae Lim
August 30, 2022 14:46 - 5 minutes Video"When teachers and families work together, everyone wins," says education technology entrepreneur and TED Fellow Heejae Lim. She shines a light on an underutilized resource in US public education -- a family's love for their children -- and shows that, with the right tools and tech, schools can remove language barriers, foster meaningful connections and help every student thrive.
How to reimagine society for working parents | Reshma Saujani
July 28, 2022 14:39 - 15 minutes VideoThe pandemic brought into sharp focus the crisis in caregiving in the United States, which woefully under provides support for parents. Activist and Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani has a proposal to address that -- something she calls the Marshall Plan for Moms -- and she unpacks how it aims to build radically different systems in order to empower working parents. (This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED ...
The profound power of gratitude and "living eulogies" | Andrea Driessen
July 14, 2022 15:08 - 12 minutes VideoWhy do we often wait so long to recognize each other's gifts? Why are the truest compliments for the people we love often said only after they're no longer around to hear and savor them? Andrea Driessen makes the case for writing eulogies for the living, sharing the power of "Gracenotes" to offer connection on a deeper level and dispel any regrets of waiting until a loved one's death to appreciate their presence in your life.
What happens to people's donated eggs and sperm after they die? | Ellen Trachman
June 22, 2022 15:09 - 12 minutes VideoToday, there are many ways to conceive a child, thanks to assisted reproductive technologies like IVF and egg-freezing. But the law lags behind these advancements, says attorney Ellen Trachman, troubling parents-to-be with stranger-than-fiction mix-ups and baffling lawsuits. Trachman makes the case for legality to reflect the realities of reproductive innovation -- and prompts you to reconsider what could happen to your own genetic material.
A second chance for fathers to connect with their kids | Charles C. Daniels, Jr.
June 16, 2022 14:35 - 12 minutes VideoFathers have a profound impact on their children's lives, yet an estimated ten million kids in the US see their dads less than once a month. Through his advocacy and mental health center, therapist Charles C. Daniels, Jr. empowers fathers to be more present by providing mentorship and community, so they learn to forgive their own shortcomings and, most importantly, learn how to reconnect with their kids.
How to preserve your private life in the age of social media | Bryce Dallas Howard
June 06, 2022 14:45 - 9 minutes - 79.3 MB VideoGrowing up in the public eye, multi-hyphenate creator Bryce Dallas Howard experienced the familiar pressure to share her life with the world on social media. But with her mother's steadfast guidance, Howard learned to set personal boundaries and savor the beauty of private moments. In this personal talk, she draws on three generations of family wisdom to remind us that "a private life makes a public life worth living."
The most powerful untapped resource in health care | Edith Elliott and Shahed Alam
May 02, 2022 13:00 - 9 minutes - 74.9 MB VideoWhether we're rushing a child to the emergency room after a fall or making chicken soup for a feverish spouse, love inspires us to act when a family member gets sick. Global health activists Edith Elliott and Shahed Alam believe we can harness this power to create better health outcomes for everyone. Learn how their organization Noora Health works with doctors and nurses in India and Bangladesh to train the family members of hospital patients with essential skills to support their si...
An Olympic champion's mindset for overcoming fear | Allyson Felix
April 20, 2022 14:47 - 9 minutes VideoGetting pregnant as a track and field athlete is often called the "kiss of death" -- a sign your athletic career will soon end. Olympic champion, entrepreneur and proud mother Allyson Felix thinks it shouldn't be that way. She tells the story of starting a family while fighting to change her former sponsor's maternity policy -- and paving the way for others to get greater protection and more support. Her message is a testament to the power of believing in and advocating for yourself....
The critical role of Black mothers -- and how to support all moms | Anna Malaika Tubbs
March 10, 2022 15:42 - 21 minutes - 171 MB VideoThroughout US history, the stories of influential Black mothers have been purposefully obscured -- at a high cost to us all. Sociologist Anna Malaika Tubbs unmasks the lies and designs behind this strategic erasure and highlights the scientific, cultural and historical contributions of Black mothers. Listen in as she details how we can change the narrative to move forward. (This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive T...
Why US laws must expand beyond the nuclear family | Diana Adams
March 04, 2022 15:39 - 18 minutes VideoThe nuclear family model may no longer be the norm in the US, but it's still the basis for social and economic benefits like health care, tax breaks and citizenship. Lawyer and LBGTQIA advocate Diana Adams believes that all families, regardless of biological relationship or legal marriage, are deserving of equal legal rights and recognition. They present a vision for how US laws can benefit all families -- from same-sex bonds to multi-parent partnerships -- and explain how a more inc...
4 kinds of regret -- and what they teach you about yourself | Daniel H. Pink
February 10, 2022 15:49 - 22 minutes - 183 MB VideoRegret is one of our most powerful emotions -- and also one of the most misunderstood. Over the past two years, author Daniel H. Pink has collected a trove of more than 16,000 regrets from people in 105 countries in an effort to better understand this mysterious emotion. He shares the key patterns that emerged (it all boils down to the same four core regrets, he says) and explains how to transform your own regrets in order to create the life you've always wanted to live. (This talk a...
Sex education should start with consent | Kaz
February 01, 2022 15:52 - 10 minutes VideoConsent can be a tricky topic to talk about in sex education curriculums, but it doesn't have to be. In this hilarious and relatable talk, sex educator and TED Fellow Kaz offers a fresh look at teaching young people about the core principles of consent -- and shows how demystifying this topic leads to healthier and more satisfying relationships for people of all ages.
How moms shape the world | Anna Malaika Tubbs
January 04, 2022 15:44 - 12 minutes - 99.7 MB VideoMothers undeniably impact and shape history -- but their stories are often left out or misrepresented, says sociologist and author Anna Malaika Tubbs. This erasure limits policies to support mothers and their essential roles in society. Citing the remarkable lives of Alberta King, Louise Little and Berdis Baldwin (the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin, respectively), Tubbs emphasizes the need to shift the perspective on motherhood at a cultural level -- t...
The need for family reunification -- to make families whole again | Elizabeth Zion
December 10, 2021 15:51 - 11 minutes Video"I want all families to be made whole, to be reunified, to be together -- as is our right," says writer, poet and student Elizabeth Zion. In this profoundly moving talk, Zion shares the impacts of family separation, including her personal struggles with homelessness and poverty -- and points a way toward moral and just policies that recognize the human rights of migrant families.
The rise of predatory scams -- and how to prevent them | Jane Walsh
November 11, 2021 16:09 - 13 minutes - 111 MB VideoQuestionable phone calls, concerning emails, heart-rending stories from a sudden new friend in need of endless financial support: elder abuse can take many forms, says lawyer Jane Walsh. And as technology becomes more sophisticated, susceptibility to tricks and scams will increase -- no matter a person's age or intellect. Walsh spotlights the rise of this predatory crime, why it goes undetected and how you can protect your loved ones' kindness, dignity and self-respect from being man...
What working parents really need from workplaces | Angela Garbes
November 08, 2021 15:35 - 4 minutes VideoWhat if we started treating parenting like the real work it is? Podcast host and CEO Angela Garbes details how working families have evolved -- and how companies haven't -- and gives insight into what parents really need from their colleagues and workplaces.
Why paternity leave benefits everyone | Shu Matsuo Post
October 18, 2021 14:51 - 5 minutes VideoPaternity leave has many benefits for dads, their partners and their babies -- but did you know it also has surprising benefits for companies? This is what author Shu Matsuo Post learned from his seven transformative months of paternity leave -- and he says it can create more equal and diverse workplaces and even boost productivity.
A roadmap for young changemakers | Melati Wijsen
October 12, 2021 17:51 - 8 minutes VideoActivism is a tough job, especially for young people yearning for immediate change -- something climate activist Melati Wijsen has learned over ten years of pushing for environmental protection, starting at age 12 in her home on the island of Bali, Indonesia. How can young changemakers acquire the skills they need and keep from burning out? Wijsen offers three pieces of advice for anybody seeking to make lasting, sustainable progress.
The trans story includes you | Nicole Maines
September 15, 2021 15:12 - 13 minutes - 105 MB VideoAs actress Nicole Maines points out, we all unwittingly play supporting roles in each others' life stories -- for better or worse. With charm and aplomb, she shares her experience growing up as a trans youth, emphasizing the big and small ways community acceptance can affect the course of a deeply personal journey.
How to stop languishing and start finding flow | Adam Grant
September 07, 2021 14:59 - 16 minutes VideoHave you found yourself staying up late, joylessly bingeing TV shows and doomscrolling through the news, or simply navigating your day uninspired and aimless? Chances are you're languishing, says organizational psychologist Adam Grant -- a psychic malaise that has become all too common after many months of the pandemic. He breaks down the key indicators of languishing and presents three ways to escape that "meh" feeling and start finding your flow.
How every child can thrive by five | Molly Wright
July 22, 2021 00:53 - 7 minutes Video"What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?" asks seven-year-old Molly Wright, one of the youngest-ever TED speakers. Breaking down the research-backed ways parents and caregivers can support children's healthy brain development, Wright highlights the benefits of play on lifelong learning, behavior and well-being, sharing effective strategies to help all kids thrive by the age of five. She's joined onstage by one-year-old Ari and his dad, Amarjot, who...
Maternal and child health is a human right | Aparna Hegde
May 24, 2021 13:24 - 55.1 MB VideoOvercrowded clinics, extensive wait times and overworked doctors are taking a devastating toll on mothers and children in India. In this eye-opening talk, urogynecologist and TED Fellow Aparna Hegde exposes the systemic gaps that lead to preventable deaths every minute -- and introduces scalable, affordable and empowering tech solutions that improve maternal and child health outcomes, upend patriarchal family dynamics and save lives.
The life-saving tech helping mothers make healthy decisions | Aparna Hegde
May 24, 2021 13:24 - 7 minutes VideoOvercrowded clinics, extensive wait times and overworked doctors are taking a devastating toll on mothers and children in India. In this eye-opening talk, urogynecologist and TED Fellow Aparna Hegde exposes the systemic gaps that lead to preventable deaths every minute -- and introduces scalable, affordable and empowering tech solutions that improve maternal and child health outcomes, upend patriarchal family dynamics and save lives.
The science behind how parents affect child development | Yuko Munakata
May 14, 2021 15:03 - 17 minutes VideoParents, take a deep breath: how your kids turn out isn't fully on you. Of course, parenting plays an important role in shaping who children become, but psychologist Yuko Munakata offers an alternative, research-backed reality that highlights how it's just one of many factors that influence the chaotic complexity of childhood development. A rethink for anyone wondering what made them who they are today and what it means to be a good parent.
Why children of immigrants experience guilt -- and strategies to cope | Sahaj Kaur Kohli
May 06, 2021 14:49 - 9 minutes VideoChildren of immigrants in the US often experience a unique kind of guilt, brought on by the pressures of navigating different cultures, living up to their parents' expectations and taking on extra family responsibilities. Mental health advocate Sahaj Kaur Kohli offers helpful strategies for dealing with these difficult feelings -- starting with defining your own values and creating space for self-compassion. (This conversation, hosted by TED speaker development curator Cloe Shasha Br...
Why I photograph the quiet moments of grief and loss | Caroline Catlin
March 24, 2021 15:04 - 13 minutes VideoThe only thing as powerful as our grief is the love we have for those we've lost, says photographer Caroline Catlin. In this meditation on the intersection of life and death, Catlin shares how her personal journey with loss drove her to capture the elusive moments of grace and beauty that exist even in the hardest moments imaginable.
An innovative way to support children with special needs | Billy Samuel Mwape
December 15, 2020 15:48 - 12 minutes VideoAfter his son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Billy Samuel Mwape realized that his project management skills might be put to use to support his child's special needs. In this inspiring, personal talk, he describes how project management -- the process of leading a team's work to achieve goals on a tight timeline -- can help you tackle life's biggest challenges.
An aerialist on listening to your body's signals | Adie Delaney
December 02, 2020 15:53 - 6 minutes VideoIn the circus, flying confidently through the air requires consistent communication with your fellow performers. Check out how aerialist and educator Adie Delaney teaches her students about trust and safety on the trapeze -- and provides helpful lessons for navigating everyday life on the ground.
Why children stay silent following sexual violence | Kristin Jones
October 22, 2020 19:48 - 13 minutes VideoSexual assault is never the victim's fault, says advocate Kristin Jones. In this courageous talk, she tells her story of overcoming the shame that followed sexual abuse as a teenager -- and shares how parents can foster an open conversation about abuse to empower kids and encourage them to ask for help. (This talk contains mature content.)
What kids can teach adults about asking for help | YeYoon Kim
October 07, 2020 15:01 - 8 minutes - 67.9 MB VideoDo you need some help? It's OK to ask, says YeYoon Kim, a former kindergarten teacher who learned from her students how powerful and courageous it can be to reach out for support. Sharing the story of one of the most difficult periods in her life, Kim explores the happiness and joy that can come from leaning on those you love in times of need -- and encourages the rest of us to start asking for help more often.
What tech companies know about your kids | Veronica Barassi
June 11, 2020 15:22 - 11 minutes - 86.3 MB VideoThe digital platforms you and your family use every day -- from online games to education apps and medical portals -- may be collecting and selling your children's data, says anthropologist Veronica Barassi. Sharing her eye-opening research, Barassi urges parents to look twice at digital terms and conditions instead of blindly accepting them -- and to demand protections that ensure their kids' data doesn't skew their future.
My story of love and loss as a transracial adoptee | Sara Jones
May 29, 2020 15:04 - 12 minutes VideoA mysterious tattoo on her forearm was all that linked Sara Jones, adopted as a child by white parents, to her South Korean origins. Searching for her birth family taught her that transracial adoption stories often frame new lives abroad as strokes of luck that call for endless gratitude, obscuring a far more complex reality. Through her experience of loss and discovery, Jones offers guidance on what adoptive parents can do to protect their children's unique cultural and personal nar...
How to raise kids who can overcome anxiety | Anne Marie Albano
May 27, 2020 19:24 - 103 MB VideoGrowing up means facing new challenges -- but for some kids, uncertain situations lead to anxiety that parents often seek to soothe. Psychologist Anne Marie Albano explains how constantly rushing to fix a child's problems can perpetuate a lifelong cycle of dependence and resentment -- and shares why a healthy dose of risk helps kids cultivate lasting confidence.
How to co-parent as allies, not adversaries | Ebony Roberts and Shaka Senghor
April 17, 2020 15:06 - 14 minutes - 112 MB VideoWhen Shaka Senghor and Ebony Roberts ended their relationship, they made a pact to protect their son from its fallout. What resulted was a poetic meditation on what it means to raise a child together, yet apart. In this moving and deeply personal talk, Senghor and Roberts share their approach to co-parenting -- an equal, active partnership that rolls with the punches and revels in the delights of guiding their child through the world with thought and intention.
How understanding divorce can help your marriage | Jeannie Suk Gersen
April 08, 2020 19:48 - 10 minutes - 84.9 MB VideoTo understand what makes marriages work, we need to talk about why they sometimes end, says family law professor Jeannie Suk Gersen. Follow along as she lays out three ways that thinking about marital decisions through the lens of divorce can help you better navigate togetherness from the beginning.
What if a single human right could change the world? | Kristen Wenz
February 24, 2020 15:59 - 8 minutes VideoMore than a billion people worldwide, mostly children, do not have a legal identity. In many countries, this means they can't get access to vital services like health care and education, says legal identity expert Kristen Wenz. She discusses why this problem is one of the greatest human rights violations of our time -- and shares five strategies to ensure everyone can get registered and protected.
The beautiful, hard work of co-parenting | Joel Leon
February 19, 2020 16:03 - 9 minutes Video"Co-parenting" isn't a buzzword -- it's a way of showing up for your family openly, consistently and lovingly, says storyteller and father Joel Leon. In this moving talk, he challenges all parents to play an equal, active role in their children's daily lives, even in a world that often places the weight of sacrifice on mothers alone. Leon encourages nuanced conversations about parenting and reminds us that being a parent isn't a responsibility -- it's an opportunity.
3 things new parents should consider before going back to work | Emily Oster
February 10, 2020 13:43 - 35.2 MB VideoShould you go back to work after having kids? It's an emotional decision, but weighing three factors can make it easier, says author and economist Emily Oster.
How changing your story can change your life | Lori Gottlieb
November 01, 2019 15:00 - 16 minutes - 130 MB VideoStories help you make sense of your life -- but when these narratives are incomplete or misleading, they can keep you stuck instead of providing clarity. In an actionable talk, psychotherapist and advice columnist Lori Gottlieb shows how to break free from the stories you've been telling yourself by becoming your own editor and rewriting your narrative from a different point of view.
The psychological impact of child separation at the US-Mexico border | Luis H. Zayas
October 15, 2019 19:48 - 14 minutes - 116 MB VideoHow does psychological trauma affect children's developing brains? In this powerful talk, social worker Luis H. Zayas discusses his work with refugees and asylum-seeking families at the US-Mexico border. What emerges is a stunning analysis of the long-term impact of the US's controversial detention and child separation policies -- and practical steps for how the country can do better.
An app that helps incarcerated people stay connected to their families | Marcus Bullock
October 15, 2019 16:47 - 15 minutes - 118 MB VideoOver his eight-year prison sentence, Marcus Bullock was sustained by his mother's love -- and by the daily letters and photos she sent of life on the outside. Years later, as an entrepreneur, Bullock asked himself: How can I make it easier for all families to stay connected during incarceration? Enter FlikShop: an app he developed that lets families send quick postcards to loved ones in prison and help keep open a critical line of support.
How we can eliminate child sexual abuse material from the internet | Julie Cordua
October 15, 2019 14:59 - 13 minutes VideoSocial entrepreneur Julie Cordua works on a problem that isn't easy to talk about: the sexual abuse of children in images and videos on the internet. At Thorn, she's building technology to connect the dots between the tech industry, law enforcement and government -- so we can swiftly end the viral distribution of abuse material and rescue children faster. Learn more about how this scalable solution could help dismantle the communities normalizing child sexual abuse around the world t...