Joy Increases Belonging

Last night, children carried lanterns they made with their own hands, families walked beside them, and the evening ended with a spontaneous dance party that filled The Great Hall with laughter. It felt magical, but the magic wasn’t an accident. Joy increases belonging, and it forms through the kinds of shared experiences that make people feel seen, included, and connected. Joy is one of the strongest builders of community because joy is social.

When people laugh together, sing together, move together, or create something side by side, their nervous systems begin to synchronize. Heart rates soften into a similar rhythm. Breathing tempos align. Even brain patterns begin to mirror one another. All of this creates a deep, instinctive feeling of: “I am part of this group.”

For children, joyful moments help them feel safe and welcomed into community. A child who sings with others or dances beside friends begins to trust the group, its adults, its space, and its rhythms.

For adults, shared joy dissolves the subtle social walls we carry; a conversation at the craft table or a laugh shared during the lantern walk makes it easier to approach one another the next day. Joy opens us.

For older adults, joy dissolves isolation. When grandparents and neighbors join in, holding lanterns, sharing pizza, listening to music, they shift from observers to participants. This sense of purpose, contribution, and connection is essential for dignity and well-being.

This is why the Lantern Walk felt so beautiful. People held light. They walked as one group. They sang in unison. They shared food. They danced in the dark. Every part of that sequence deepened a sense of belonging through joy.

Montessori teaches that community grows through shared activity, creating together, walking together, singing and dancing together. These moments invite joy, and joy strengthens our sense of belonging. Last night affirmed what we know to be true: joy is not just a feeling; it’s how we grow together.

Join us for more shared joy at our next community gathering: the Children’s Fall Farmers Market on Saturday, November 22, 2025.