Pre-K–Kindergarten

Early HeartSmarts^® – Ages 3-6

This fun and engaging social and emotional learning program trains teachers to guide and support young children (3–6 years old) in learning emotional self-regulation and key age-appropriate socioemotional competencies, with the goal of facilitating their emotional, social and cognitive development. A soon to be published study found compelling evidence of the efficacy of the Early HeartSmarts^® program in increasing total psychosocial development in social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language development as compared to the control group. Central to the success of Early HeartSmarts is a set of evidence-based self-regulation techniques specially adapted for young children. Children who have the opportunity to practice these techniques become more emotionally flexible and resilient—a cornerstone of emotional intelligence.

Early HeartSmarts teaches children to:

• connect the physical and emotional aspects of the heart
• recognize and understand emotions
• self-regulate emotions
• express love and care to family and others
• become problem-solvers

Working together in small groups, children also learn problem-solving, creativity, and the importance of the heart as Early HeartSmarts eases the transition from the home to the classroom environment.

Read a detailed description or learn about the theoretical basis of Early HeartSmarts.

"In contrast to most other early interventions, Early HeartSmarts focuses not only on the child’s mind and brain but on the child’s body, an essential component of the growing individual’s adaptive capacity to communicate and regulate emotions. The program is solidly based in current developmental neuroscience and optimally targets the neurodevelopmental period of 3 to 4 years, a critical window of growth of the early developing right brain, which for the rest of the lifespan is dominant for essential bodily-based social and emotional functions, including those required for optimizing educational experiences. In addition, this research provides compelling data on the efficacy of the program across various socioeconomic groups and ethnicities." – Allan N. Schore, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist; Author – Affect Regulation and Origin of the Self and Affect Dysregulation and Disorders of the Self; Clinical Faculty of the University of California at Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Wild Ride to the Heart™ – Ages 4 and up

Wild Ride to the Heart™ introduces children to the language and understanding of emotions along with a simple emotion-regulation tool. Active and unpredictable, this game will engage and animate players while facilitating opportunities for heartfelt communication. Initially young children should play the game with an older child or adult. Package includes large game board, surprise cards, markers, a spinner, optional dice, instructions and definitions and examples of 19 emotions.