“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” - Simone Weil
Mattering — the fundamental human need to feel valued and add value — unlocks purpose, connection, and wellbeing.
As humans, we have a deep desire to know that we belong, that we are needed, and that our community accepts and values who we are.
How can we build cultures of mattering in our homes, schools, and communities?
How do Sudbury schools help to provide a “mattering core”: recognizing impact, being relied on, feeling prioritized, and being truly known and invested in?
This month we are reading Mattering by Jennifer B. Wallace. We also identified a few related articles, videos, and podcasts. As always, the readings are optional, the important thing is the conversation.
Ready for a deep dive? Here are some options for going deeper in Fun and Play.
Paradisi, M., Matera, C. & Nerini, A. Feeling Important, Feeling Well. The Association Between Mattering and Well-being: A Meta-analysis Study. J Happiness Stud 25, 4 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00720-3
Ronald E. Dahl, Emma Armstrong-Carter, Wouter van den Bos,
Wanting to matter and learning to care: A neurodevelopmental window of opportunity for (Pro) social learning?, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Volume 69, 2024, 101430, ISSN 1878-9293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101430
Botero, A., Karamali, R., Frick, A. S., Aguirre, M. E., & Prilleltensky, I. (2025). Experiences of mattering among youth: Implications for prevention and intervention. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 53(4), 592–609. https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2025.2527442
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