Where Research Meets Real-World Parenting.
Life Ingredients™ blends emotional intelligence, neuroscience, and mindfulness into a simple, practical system that helps children build the inner tools they need to thrive — in classrooms, homes, and the world beyond.
42%
Improvement in kids’ emotional & social skills after SEL programs.
(Durlak et al., 2011)
11%
Boost in academic performance when emotional regulation is taught.
(CASEL, 2023)
91%
Of teachers say emotional skills are key to success in school and life.
(Education Week Research Center, 2018)
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters
— and How Kids Learn It
Children are constantly learning how to make sense of the world — and emotional intelligence is the foundation that helps them do it with calm, confidence, and compassion.
Without Emotional Intelligence, Kids Struggle With...
😵💫 Big feelings that feel overwhelming — and no tools to name or regulate them
💥 Impulsive reactions that turn into tantrums, shutdowns, or meltdowns
❌ Misunderstood social cues that lead to conflict or isolation
📚 Focus and learning — because emotional overwhelm blocks the brain’s ability to take in new information
😔 Low self-confidence in handling mistakes or making decisions
🧍 Difficulty building friendships or working in groups
The good news?
Emotional intelligence is a skill.
It’s teachable and it can be learned.
When children are guided in EQ skills early, they become more:
- Resilient in stressful situations
- Focused in learning environments
- Empathetic in social dynamics
- Grounded in their decision-making
How We Turn Science Into Skills Kids Can Use
Life Ingredients™ is built on a foundation of research-backed frameworks that shape how children learn, grow, and regulate themselves. Here’s how we translate science into daily, digestible tools kids actually understand:
Thoughts affect feelings.
Feelings affect behavior.
Children learn how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected — and how to pause and reframe their internal dialogue to support calm, confident responses.
Used worldwide in therapy and education, CBT empowers children to:
- Recognize negative thought patterns
- Reduce impulsive reactions
- Practice self-awareness and problem-solving
(Understanding CBT, Beck Institute, 2021)
Not everyone sees the world
the same way I do.
This helps children understand that others have different thoughts, beliefs, and emotions — even when they’re in the same situation. It’s the seed of empathy.
Building theory of mind supports:
- Perspective-taking
- Social understanding
- Conflict resolution and kindness
(Beaudoin et al., 2020)
My breath can bring me back to calm.
Mindful breathing is woven into every lesson. It helps kids slow down, focus, and reconnect with their bodies — especially in high-stress or overstimulating moments.
Mindfulness has been proven to:
- Lower anxiety
- Improve attention
- Support emotional regulation
(Goldin & Gross, 2010; PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2019)
I can think about what I’m thinking.
Metacognition is the practice of noticing and reflecting on your own thoughts. Kids who learn this become more emotionally agile and academically resilient.
We help children:
- Identify patterns in their thinking
- Strengthen focus and learning
- Regulate emotions in real time
(Fischer, 1998)
My mind, body, and
heart all work together.
Unique to Life Ingredients™, this principle helps kids understand their brain, nervous system, and heart as a connected system — supporting safety, clarity, and calm.
Children explore:
- How their body reacts to stress
- What “fight, flight, freeze” feels like
- How to reset through breath and awareness
(Beer, 2023; Levine, 2018)
CASEL-Aligned & Classroom-Ready
We’ve built Life Ingredients™ with CASEL’s Five Core Competencies in mind
CASEL
Competency
Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social Awareness
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision Making
Life Ingredient
Connection
Calm, Think, Notice
Breathe, Move
Perspective, Gratitude, Empathy
Respect, Communication, Listening
Perspective, Truth
This means your school — or homeschool — can confidently implement Life Ingredients alongside other SEL initiatives.
Built for All Kids, Everywhere
Life Ingredients™ is intentionally inclusive
— in story, visuals, and accessibility.
We’ve created a program that celebrates:
- Neurodiverse learners
- Multi-sensory processing styles
- Diverse cultures and family systems
- All learning environments (home, classroom, or in between)
We believe every child deserves the tools to feel safe, calm, and emotionally strong — no matter who they are or where they learn.
Want to See It in Action?
You don’t need to be a therapist or teacher to help your child grow emotionally.
You just need the right tools — and a calm, confident place to begin.
A GIFT FOR KIDS & KIDS AT HEART