Patience & self-discipline book for toddlers. A delayed gratification: Waiting habit. Learning to Control Your Impulses and how to be patient.

Teaching kids delayed gratification in their early years of life.

Illustrated audiobook

Mia is learning a delayed gratification

Mia is a young girl who loves to explore and dream. One day, while exploring the Magical Garden, she meets a Wise Owl who gives her a challenge: if she can resist the temptation to eat a lollipop for two days, the Owl will give her the lollipop and a magical reward. Despite the temptation, Mia manages to resist and is rewarded with the secret gift. Through this experience, Mia learns that determination and effort can help her achieve her goals.

The scientific approach

This book was inspired by the findings of the Stanford marshmallow experiment, a psychological study conducted in the 1970s by psychologist Walter Mischel. The study tested the ability of children to delay gratification, or the act of waiting to receive something they want, by offering them a choice between one small reward immediately or two small rewards if they waited for a short period of time. The results of the study found that the children who were able to wait for the larger reward tended to have better life outcomes in terms of academic and professional success later on in life.

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Excerpt from Mia's Habits © Copyright 2023 Michał Stachyra

Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Mia. She was a very curious and creative child with a lot of dreams. One day, Mia was out in the Magical Garden, exploring and looking for adventure.

On her journey, she came across a talking Wise Owl. The Wise Owl said, “Greetings brave explorer! I have a challenge for you. I will give you this sweet lollypop now.

But If you can resist the temptation and you will not eat lollypop for 2 days, then I will give you sweet lollypop and a magical secret reward! Remember, you can not visit Magical Garden during this time. All you have to do is wait 2 days and come back here with lollypop. If you can do that, then I will give you these two gifts.”

Mia was very excited by this challenge and agreed to it. the lollypop looks so tasty! Mia loved sweets and to play in Magical Garden as well. She knew that it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to show the Wise Owl that she could do it and wait for 2 days.

On the first day, Mia woke up early and went about her usual routine. She ate a healthy breakfast and spent the day playing outside with her friends. But as the day went on, Mia couldn't help but think about the sweet lollypop that was waiting for her in the kitchen. She knew she had to resist the temptation, so she kept busy and tried to stay away from the kitchen as much as possible.

As the sun began to set, Mia's stomach started to growl. She knew she needed to eat dinner, but she was worried that the sight or smell of food might make her crave the lollypop even more. So she asked her mom to make her a special meal of vegetables and rice, which she knew wouldn't tempt her as much as other foods might. She also ate an apple, which allowed her to satisfy her need for sweets for a short while.

Despite her best efforts, Mia found it hard to fall asleep that night. She tossed and turned, thinking about the sweet lollypop and wondering if she would be able to resist the temptation for one more days.

On the second and final day, Mia woke up early and went about her routine, trying her best to stay away from the kitchen and keep her mind off the lollypop. But as the afternoon dragged on, Mia began to feel a gnawing sensation in her stomach. She knew she was hungry. She went to the kitchen to see the lollypop.

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