A video series, based on mental health research, created to make important mental health skills available to preschool children (age 3 to 5).
Why Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Pre-K?
Fully 20% of our kids have a mental health or learning disorder…
And all children face difficult challenges as they grow up.
Learning basic age-appropriate mental health skills at a young age has been proven to help kids thrive.
What does the Project include?
A series of five videos, based on mental health research, plus downloadable print materials that parents and educators can use to help children practice the skills they’re learning. The videos teach kids five skills proven to support mental health:
Understanding Feelings:
Kids will learn to name and accept all feelings while finding healthy ways to deal with them.
Using Your Words:
Kids will learn to use words to say what they need and feel, solve problems, and connect with people.
Having Big Feelings:
Kids will learn how to notice when big feelings happen and how to deal with them, improving self-awareness and decision-making.
Being Brave:
Kids will learn how to face situations that make them feel nervous or scared.
Being a Good Friend:
Kids will learn how skills like listening, sharing, and taking turns can help build strong friendships.
Activity Sheets:
Each video comes with a brief companion resource that summarizes key ideas and includes an activity that can be practiced in school or at home.
How was Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Pre-K created?
Grounded in the Clinical Expertise of the Child Mind Institute
All project resources were developed under the guidance of Dr. Harold Koplewicz, one of the world’s leading child and teen psychiatrists. Content development was led by Dr. David Anderson, PhD in clinical psychology from Columbia University, Dr. Janine Domingues, PhD in child clinical psychology from the University of Connecticut, and Dr. Caroline Mendel, PsyD in clinical psychology from Rutgers University.
Bianca Giaever
Director (English)
Emmy Award winner
Raquel Marvez
Director (Spanish)
Emmy Award winner
Daniel French
Vocalist (of Las Cafeteras)
Denise Carlos
Vocalist (of Las Cafeteras)
Peter Coccoma
Songwriter/Music Producer
Elori Saxl
Songwriter/Music Producer
Rachael Price
Singer (of Lake Street Dive)
Akie Bermiss
Singer/Musician (of Lake Street Dive)
Little Hearts, Big Feelings: Stories Crafted for Pre-K Understanding
Important ideas, taught the way young children learn best: through entertaining, relatable stories set in a vivid, imaginary world. Each video with a memorable song that reinforces the key messages.
Created, from the ground up, in both English and Spanish
English and Spanish language directors worked closely throughout development and production of the series to ensure sensitivity to different cultures. And then our talented cast of actors and musicians brought it to life.
Other Resources
BOLD Beginning!:
www.boldbeginning.ohio.gov
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio:
www.ohioimaginationlibrary.org
