Social Emotional Learning for Every Child

POP-UP Festival brings social emotional learning to life through fun, hands-on activities designed for children, and just as much for youth, young adults, and grown-ups too, because none of us are separate from the future we’re building together. The more people grow in emotional intelligence, the more children’s futures and rights become supported. Below, we’re sharing a few of our most popular activities, free for anyone to try, no registration required! Try one or two, feel the warmth these simple yet powerful activities can spark, and consider becoming a host yourself.
Look forward to having you in our community as you bring the gift of SEL to every child around you!

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A lot of us adults admire kids’ curiosity; their love of learning and their openness to the unknown. What if we got just as curious about our own hearts? Like taking an X-ray of your feelings? Color Your Heart is one of our most popular activities since 2017. What does your heart look like today? What feelings does it hold right now? Which feeling would you like more of tomorrow? What feelings might help you sleep a little better tonight?

Anxiety is actually a helpful message. It’s our mind’s way of saying, “Pay attention, get ready for what’s coming.” But sometimes that message gets a little too loud, and it can feel hard to quiet back down. What if all we needed was a little buddy to help us breathe through it? Let’s try a little mindfulness breathing with your Breathing Buddy. They will become a gentle reminder to help you feel calm again.

Kindness can run deeper than just “please” and “thank you.” Sometimes it’s the small, quiet things we notice, the moments we almost miss, or even the little things we do so naturally we don’t even realize we’re doing them. Let’s take a little time to notice the acts of kindness around us, and discover how they make us feel. Who in your life has shown you kindness lately? Let’s turn those moments into a flower, and watch a kindness bloom.