Mental Health Literacy for Young Children

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

  • Helps Children Navigate The Difficult Transitions They Will Face in School and Life

  • Provides a Framework for Building Resilience and Fostering Long-Term Mental Health

  • Creates Skills for Empathetic Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Leadership

Course Outline

Elementary Student Lessons (3 Hours)

Short video lessons are followed by workbook activities to reinforce learning and limit screen time.

Part 1 

  1. Your Workbook
  2. Making Balanced Choices
  3. Brain Pathways
  4. Brain Chemicals
  5. Understanding Resilience
  6. The Four S's:
    1. Self
    2. Situation
    3. Supports
    4. Strategies

Part 2 

  • The Ant and its Tools:
    1. Walkie-Talkie
    2. Sleeping Bag
    3. Snacks
    4. Hiking Boots
    5. Map
    6. Binoculars
    7. Merit Badge

  • The Grasshopper:
    1. Ready to Play
    2. Celebrating
    3. Fight, Flight, Freeze

Part 3 

  • REACTS:
    1. Respect
    2. Equity
    3. Alliances
    4. Control
    5. Territory
    6. Similarities

  • The Resilient Mindset Model
  • Mindfulness
  • Making Stress Your Friend
  • What is Trauma?
  • Talking it Out

Instructor(s)

Elementary Instructor Jocelyn Schofield

Mrs. Schofield has been an elementary classroom teacher for 13 years and holds a dual master's degree in early childhood education and special education. She is also the mother of two young children (ages 3 and 6).

Founder of Pathways to Empower Dr. Donna Volpitta

Always an educator, Dr. Volpitta loves finding ways to translate neuroscience so that people can apply it to their own lives. Her work is grounded in the latest research in neurology, psychology, and education. She is the co-author of The Resilience Formula, author of Neuroworld, co-creator of the Nametags Education Program, and is a sought-after speaker. A former classroom teacher (and mother of 4 adolescents!) with experience in both general and special education, Donna holds a doctoral degree in Learning Dis/Abilities from Teachers College, Columbia University.