# Momentous Institute ## Pages ### Changemakers https://momentousinstitute.org/changemakers/ Shaping the next generation Changemakers Changemakers, our nationally acclaimed classroom curriculum focused on social emotional learning, was developed by mental health professionals and educators for pre-kindergarten 3 through 5th grade. Developed after decades of professional learning and research, our curriculum uses both a mental health and equity lens to build positive learning environments where all students can thrive. What our students know academically matters as much as who they are as people. We emphasize understanding how the brain works, how to manage and control emotions, how to nurture and build strong relationships, and so much more. Mental health matters and we make sure students and staff have opportunities to develop as emotionally thriving people. CASEL Accreditation Changemakers curriculum is accredited by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as an Elementary SELect Program. About changemakers Curriculum Breakdown Through a series of free-standing lessons, mental health is made a priority with the goal of increasing student empathy, kindness, and compassion. 01— Curriculum kits Changemakers curriculum – available as a kit or digitally for pre-kindergarten 3 to fifth grade – contains 25-52 lessons organized into five overarching themes: Safe Relationships, Self-regulation, Awareness of Self, Understanding Others, and Changemaker. Lessons are also broken up into 15 skill-focused units such as Gratitude, Resilience, Empathy, and Hope. Request sample curriculum 02— Grade Levels, Themes, Units and Lessons Units are prefaced with a Teacher Practice section that provides teachers with essential knowledge of topics covered. Additionally, each unit provides an "Equity Lens” and "Mental Health Lens,” giving teachers insight to understand and effectively respond to students' past experiences and unique identities. The lessons are developmentally designed for each grade level and are divided into three sections: Present, Practice, and Process Request sample curriculum 03— Training and Implementation Support Momentous Institute offers one initial implementation for curriculum users and administrators as well, as access to three refresher training courses scheduled throughout the school year. Consultation available for teachers and administrators to support implementation. Speak to us today Pricing Each Changemakers box can be purchased for $850 and includes curriculum for the full school year, 10-15 literature books, implementation training and consultation for educators and administrators. Changemakers Digital Curriculum available for $750 Get Started Rooted in research. Ready to use. Bullying Prevention Guide Developed by educators and mental health experts, the Changemakers Bullying Prevention Guide equips schools with simple, ready-to-go lessons that create lasting change. Rooted in child development and trauma-informed practices, it helps students stand up for others, set healthy boundaries, and build a culture of kindness and belonging. Learn more BULLYING PREVENTION GUIDE Why It's Different The Changemakers Bullying Prevention Guide is a proactive, mental health–informed program. In just 5 weeks, it helps schools create safe, supportive classrooms where every student belongs. Focuses on what kids can do, not just what they shouldn’t Updated in 2024 for today’s students Ready-to-use and easy-to-implement lessons and scripts Builds a whole-school culture of belonging Cost: $95 per classroom, per grade level (digital or physical copy) Purchase Guide Free Lesson Samples from the Bullying Prevention Guide Free download Looking to implement Changemakers in your school? Reach out. Contact us FAQs How much does Changemakers curriculum cost? One box (including the 35+ freestanding lessons, 10-15 reading books and access to our online training) costs $850. Changemakers Digital Curriculum $750 What certifications has Changemakers curriculum received? Changemakers received the highest designation for evidence-based programs from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Changemakers was named a CASEL “SELect” Pre-K and elementary school curriculum. In addition, the curriculum aligns with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards and is a Texas Education Agency’s best practice resource for grief and trauma, as well as building skills and managing emotions. Changemakers CASEL Research Report What is included in a Changemakers curriculum kit? Each box contains 35+ freestanding lessons to last a full school year. Boxes include 10-15 high-quality and age-appropriate read-aloud books as well as visual and reproductive resources. Is training included? Momentous Institute’s training team hosts monthly training classes for teachers and administrators focused on how to implement Changemakers in your school. Is Changemakers curriculum available in Spanish? Yes, pre-kindergarten through kindergarten boxes are available in Spanish. We hope to have the remaining grades translated in the near future. Does Momentous Institute offer additional training? Absolutely. In addition to training services, our team offers personalized implementation training at the school level. Why are equity and trauma lenses included? Our research in classrooms and professional training has found that in order to build safe relationships with students, teachers and educators must have an understanding of trauma and equity. ### Squeeze the Day https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day/ Mental Health Awareness Month Squeeze the Day During Mental Health Awareness Month, Momentous Institute encouraged everyone to "Squeeze the Day," and explore simple, everyday ways to support mental well-being, one mindful moment at a time. With just a few intentional moments each day, meaningful, lasting change was possible. Free Mental Health Guides Squeeze the Day, Momentous Institute's citywide Mental Health Awareness Month campaign, celebrates the small, everyday practices that strengthen mental well-being. Each May, partners bring the campaign to life across North Texas by adding mental health moments to the places where people already live, work, and play. In 2026, Squeeze the Day reached 1.6 million people, and in 2027 we're ready to go even further. Interested in becoming a 2027 partner? INQUIRE NOW Small Moments. Big Impact. Squeeze the Day, Momentous Institute's citywide Mental Health Awareness Month campaign, celebrates the small, everyday practices that strengthen mental well-being. Each May, partners bring the campaign to life across North Texas by adding mental health moments to the places where people already live, work, and play. In 2026, Squeeze the Day reached 1.6 million people, and in 2027 we're ready to go even further. Interested in becoming a 2027 partner? INQUIRE NOW Throughout May, we shared free resources and DFW-based experiences, each designed to help connect, pause, and recharge through movement, nature, nutrition, and community. Prioritizing your mental health is a year-round commitment. Explore our additional resources to learn how to care for your own mental health and support the mental health of those around you. Meet our 2026 Partners We partnered with organizations across DFW to highlight simple, everyday ways individuals and families can support their mental health. Learn more about our partners Show your support for mental health all year long with Squeeze the Day merchandise. Every purchase helps further the mission of Momentous Institute. Learn More Check out our 2026 Squeeze the Day events that supported Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn More Squeeze More Out of your day Check out our free Mental Health Guides designed for Mental Health Awareness Month! We created expert resources to help you bring wellness into your daily life. These free, brain science-backed downloads offer simple strategies to improve mental health, whether you're leading a team, caring for your family, focusing on your well-being, or enjoying the outdoors. Squeeze the Day Guides Squeeze the Day Activities ### Donate Monthly https://momentousinstitute.org/donate-monthly/ MAKE A BIG IMPACT Become a Monthly Donor Donate Monthly Make a BIG impact with a monthly gift today. Monthly donors are a special group of valued partners dedicated to helping Momentous Institute meet the needs of our community. Why donate monthly? Tailored To You Monthly donations fit any budget, and every gift, big or small, makes a significant impact. Hassle-Free Your donation occurs automatically each month. You can change the amount, frequency, or date at any time. Impact All Year Long Monthly donors have a daily impact with ongoing support, allowing us to make strategic investments and launch new projects for our students and communities. Will you make a lasting impact by becoming a monthly donor today? Get Started OUR IMPACT Check out our progress. Learn more about our achievements in our 2024 Annual Report. ### School Leaders https://momentousinstitute.org/school-leaders/ RESOURCES FOR School Leaders The mental health of school leaders is the foundation of resilient leadership. Free Mental Health Guide These resources are designed for principals and school leaders to support their own mental health and extend it to the school community. Interested in looking for ways to bring more mental health practices into your work, classroom, or life? Schedule a FREE Consultation to receive a customized plan for all of your needs. Schedule Here ### Parenting Community https://momentousinstitute.org/parenting-community/ OUR OFFERING Parenting Community With Momentous Institute’s Parenting Community, families gather to discuss and learn about various parenting topics related to child-parent relationships, sibling relationships, anxiety, and so much more. Participants meet once a week for one hour a day to explore and learn about the varying techniques and strategies that can be used at home to strengthen the child-parent relationship. Empower Your Parenting Journey Through Parenting Education, families are equipped with the knowledge and tools to feel motivated, inspired, and empowered as they navigate the intricate journey of parenthood with resilience and confidence. Our programs Parenting Education Parents can connect and learn through our 6-12 week Parenting Courses or join us monthly for Momentous Moments. We also offer community partnerships to bring information and resources to your school or local community. Parenting Courses Momentous Moments Community Partners Parenting Courses We offer a variety of topics to choose from and explore. Our classes are offered both virtually and in-person, meeting once a week for an hour each session Our current topics include: Family Structures Self-care Technology Child Development Course Schedule Momentous Moments Each month, parents are given the opportunity to explore brand new topics related to child-parent relationships, stress, and other areas of interest. Topics are created using Momentous Institute’s Resources. Classes are offered virtually once a month for one hour a day. See below for our Fall 2025 offerings. Fall 2025 Schedule Mindful Parent-Child Connection October 13th and 27th By practicing mindful parenting, we gain a deeper understanding of our own emotions and reactions, allowing us to connect with our children more authentically and respond to their needs in a way that supports their emotional growth. English - 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | REGISTER Spanish - 9:30 AM -10:30 AM | REGISTER Facilitator – Minerva Holmes For questions, please email: mholmes@momentousinstitute.org Gracious Gratitude November 3rd, 10th, 17th Sharing with families the different techniques and strategies they can utilize at home to foster gratitude in their young children and help alleviate the typical holiday power struggles that occur between child and caregiver. English - 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | REGISTER Spanish - 9:30 AM -10:30 AM | REGISTER Facilitator: Minerva Holmes For questions, please email: mholmes@momentousinstitute.org The Gift of Being Present, Not Just Giving Presents December 1st, 8th, 15th Prioritize presence over presents. Having a positive relationship with their parents, where they feel loved, wanted, and valued, is the true gift our children seek English - 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | REGISTER Spanish - 9:30 AM -10:30 AM | REGISTER Facilitator: Minerva Holmes For questions, please email: mholmes@momentousinstitute.org Community Partners Through community partnerships, we connect and deliver valuable information and resources to your school or local community. Interested in learning more? mray@momentousinstitute.org · 214-916-4028 Course Etiquette Parenting Education courses are offered through different mediums such as in-person and via Zoom. These courses are designed to be interactive and engaging through class discussions. These courses are not designed to function as Podcasts or Webinars. To ensure participants are utilizing the Parenting Education resources to their fullest potential, Momentous Institute respectfully requests participants abide by the following guidelines to promote a strong learning environment. Momentous Institute respectfully requests participants take the posture of a student in the following ways: · Arrive promptly to their scheduled class. · Maintain their cameras to ensure their presence and to receive credit for the class. Microphones remain off unless participating in class discussions. · Avoid public spaces (i.e., work environments, doctor offices, etc.) when participating in virtual zoom classes due to confidentiality. · Avoid driving, cooking, or completing other activities when participating in virtual Zoom classes due to safety. Momentous Institutes appreciates your attention and commitment to promoting a strong learning environment. We look forward to seeing you in our classes soon! FAQs How are the classes offered? Classes are offered both in-person and virtually via Zoom. Where are the in-person classes offered? The in-person classes are offered at our Constantine Center and Oak Cliff campuses. When are the classes offered? Virtual and in-person classes are offered Monday through Friday. Class schedules vary. Click here for current schedules. Are the classes free? The virtual community Zoom classes are currently free. The community in-person classes are $5.00 per session. Scholarship opportunities are available for families in need. How long are the series and classes? Series typically range between 6-12 weeks. Participants meet once a week for one hour a class. Do I have to stay for the whole series? While it is most beneficial for participants to stay for the entire series, we understand schedules change and commitment abilities can vary. Participants are welcome to stay for as long as their schedule allows them to participate. Are Momentous Moments topics offered after the scheduled date and time? Momentous Moments topics do not repeat. Participants can find information and resources on each of the topics on our Resources tab. Schools and communities can request previous Momentous Moments topics to be presented at their school or organization. How can schools and agencies receive Parent Education services for their communities and families? Schools and agencies can contact the Parent Education team! mray@momentousinstitute.org 214-916-4028 Please expect a response within 1-2 business days. Are these courses acceptable for CPS and referring agencies? Typically, yes. However, we encourage participants to communicate with their case manager prior to starting the series to be sure they are meeting the requirements of their plan. We are happy to provide you and your case manager with the topics covered in each series. Participants will also receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the series to present to their case manager or referring entity. Is Momentous Institute affiliated with CPS and other referral agencies? No, Momentous Institute is not directly affiliated with CPS and other referral agencies. Can children and teens participate in the courses? No, children and teens are not permitted to participate as these courses are primarily designed for parents, caregivers, and any adult who works or is directly involved in the care of a child. Click here for information on Therapeutic Groups for children and teens. ### Momentous School https://momentousinstitute.org/momentous-school/ where academics and emotions thrive Momentous School At Momentous School, the mental health of our students matters as much as academics. Momentous School Website Why a School Creating real impact Momentous School is a nationally acclaimed laboratory school providing pre-kindergarten 3 through 5th grade education. Using decades of research and smaller classroom settings, our strengths-based approach places academic achievement on par with emotional learning, and the results speak for themselves. What we achieve Successful outcomes 97% of Momentous School alumni graduate high school on time compared to 81% of U.S. low-income students 81% of Momentous School alumni enrolled in college versus 49% of comparable State of Texas peers 3x Momentous Alumni are nearly three times more likely than comparable U.S. peers to attain a bachelor’s degree 92% of parents report feeling a sense of community with other Momentous School families. Accreditations Momentous School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancEd. The three-year-old, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). If you are a classroom teacher, campus administrator, or campus mental health professional, join us for a morning at Momentous School! Tour Momentous School Get in touch Where they learn to count and learn what counts. Want to learn more about Momentous School? ### Professional Training https://momentousinstitute.org/professional-training/ Our Offering Professional Training Momentous Institute equips professionals to create meaningful change in their environments by providing actionable, research-backed tools for mental health and social emotional growth. Whether shaping young minds in classrooms or leading teams in boardrooms, our training inspires participants to build healthier, more connected communities. On-Demand Training Our on-demand training offers a comprehensive suite of courses on social emotional learning, and understanding and supporting children who have experienced trauma. These courses are led by Momentous Institute's credentialed experts in education and mental health. Topics include self-regulation strategies, managing challenging behaviors in the classroom and out-of-school time settings, reducing educator/caregiver stress, and evidence-based strategies for creating healthy connections with and between students. Learn more Social Emotional, Trauma & Mental Health Training (virtual or in-person) Our professional learning sessions provide educators and other professionals with tangible, proven strategies for implementing social emotional learning in schools and in other settings. We offer a variety of virtual or in-person training focused on social emotional health, trauma, and mental health and wellness. Upcoming trainings Training catalog Consultations for School Professionals We understand that a social emotional learning initiative is only as successful as its implementation. Our experienced team can work within your existing framework throughout the process. From conducting initial needs assessments to planning for sustainability our intentional approach targets adult social emotional learning competencies, supportive policies, academic integration, continuous progress monitoring, and family engagement. Speak with us Momentous School Tours If you are a classroom teacher, campus administrator, or campus mental health professional, we’d like to invite you to tour Momentous School! Come experience our SEL focused campus where the academics are just as important as a student’s mental health. See our innovative and researched-backed approaches to a school environment where students and teachers thrive together. Upcoming Tours FAQs Who can benefit from your training? Momentous’ trainings are geared toward professionals who work directly with children and families to develop their social emotional skills and support their mental health/wellbeing. Because schools can play a key role in this process, we offer a wide range of training for educators and school professionals, including social workers and school counselors. However, our training extends broadly to other professionals who work in non-profits, community organizations, and generally any setting where children are being supported. Why should I choose a your training? Our trainings are steeped in the latest neuroscience and mental health research and are largely presented by staff experts representing both the education and mental health disciplines. Our training moves you from theory to practice by helping you integrate social emotional and mental health strategies into your classrooms, campuses, and any setting where you are supporting children and families. How do you provide training? We offer a diversity of training options to fit your professional learning needs. We provide virtual webinars, on-demand, and in-person trainings. We can customize training options that work for you both virtually and in-person. In person trainings are provided based upon trainer availability and scheduling capacity and are primarily offered locally. However, we can consider regional and state-wide in person training requests, and virtual training options without geographic limitations. What do participants say about your training? Our training participants share back their appreciation for a balanced presentation of research -based principles and practical strategies that can be used immediately. Ninety-four percent (94%) of mental health and education professionals who attend training conducted by Momentous Institute staff report an increase in their knowledge and skills, in post training evaluations. What are your training fees and what payment options do you accept for your trainings? Do you offer group rates? Our virtual webinars and on demand training fees are listed on the website with the training descriptions. In-person training is generally a customized professional learning, so fees vary based upon length and type of training. Those fees are discussed during the training request phase. Momentous accepts P.O.s and credit card payments. Most payment arrangements can be made at training registration via our website. We do offer group rates for training. Do you provide CEUs for your training? Yes. Momentous Institute is an approved Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Provider in Texas with TEA (#902-493)and a licensed provider of CEUs in the state of Texas for LPC, LMFT, and LMSW/LCSW. Participants receive CEU credits for attending the entire training and upon completing a training evaluation. Can we tour the Momentous School? Yes! See our upcoming Momentous School tours here ### Piney Woods https://momentousinstitute.org/piney-woods/ Nature-Based Experiences Discover Piney Woods Step into Piney Woods, where nature inspires growth, healing, and connection. Our programs create space for renewal, professional learning, and meaningful gatherings, all rooted in the natural world. Start your nature-based adventure at Piney Woods. Our offerings Why Nature? Spending time outdoors has powerful benefits for emotional and mental well-being. Just 20 minutes outside can lower stress hormones and boost mood Nature-based experiences reduce anxiety, depression, and trauma Guided programs with mental health professionals support regulation, healing, and growth Time in nature strengthens our connection to ourselves, others, and the world around us Our Offerings Training & Coaching For Educators and Mental Health Professionals Gain tools to use nature-based interventions in your therapeutic or educational work. Our professional development offerings help educators and clinicians apply evidence-based strategies that promote successful outcomes for clients and students. Partner Programs For Community Organizations Bring your group to Piney Woods for immersive, nature-based programming. Momentous Institute staff guide activities such as mindfulness, hiking, and reflection, with optional coaching and training. Individual & Family Programs For Individuals and Families "Roots to Renewal" is a three-day, two-night experiential program for teens, parents, or families navigating mental health challenges. Led by licensed mental health professionals, this opportunity utilizes nature, the senses, and carefully curated outdoor spaces to promote insight, connection, and healing. Facility Rental For Retreats and Gatherings Host your next team or organization event in a peaceful, nature-rich setting. Groups may choose to add our customized mindfulness walks, outdoor activities, or reflection sessions to enhance the experience. Come to Piney Woods. Leave More Grounded. Contact us ### Mental Health Services https://momentousinstitute.org/mental-health-services/ Our Offering Mental Health Services Momentous Institute specializes in accessible, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, family-based mental health services for young people and their families. A Holistic Approach Our approach to mental health challenges is through understanding and compassion. We recognize the importance of unearthing and addressing underlying causes and highlighting strengths, rather than simply treating symptoms. Our Services Tell us your story. We're listening. Momentous Institute specializes in accessible, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, family-based mental health services for young people and their families. Our team of over 30 licensed therapists, trainers, and parent educators is deeply committed to delivering holistic care that integrates brain science with a strengths-based approach. Our services are available in both English and Spanish on a sliding scale, ensuring financial barriers never stand in the way of a family’s well-being. We offer mental health services in-person and via telehealth. Therapy for Youth Our licensed therapists specialize in family, individual, play, and group therapy. Because each situation is unique, our therapists utilize a variety of approaches. This might include working individually with a therapist or in one of our group programs. Our team of experts will help provide the best path for healing on a case-by-case basis. Inquire Today Psychiatric Services Momentous Institute offers accessible psychiatric services for children 15 and under, providing families with expert care tailored to their needs. Our approach combines psychotherapy and medication management to address anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and more. With in-person and telehealth options, no zip code restrictions, and a sliding scale fee structure, we break down barriers to quality mental health care. Our trauma-informed approach strengthens families, builds resilience, and fosters healing. Inquire Today Parent Education Momentous Institute provides a variety of in-person and virtual parent education classes. Please contact us for a current list of classes or if you are an organization or school interested in hosting a class at your location. Learn More Nature-Based Services In addition to providing direct services virtually and at our Dallas based facility, Momentous Institute utilizes our 1,400-acre nature-based campus in the Piney Woods region of east Texas. Research shows that time in nature improves communication, problem solving, and reduces stress, depression, and anxiety. Our property, naturally preserved and rich in biodiversity, provides a unique opportunity to combine the outdoors with research-backed mental health approaches. With nature as our co-therapist, children and families visiting can disconnect from real-world distractions and reconnect with themselves and the world around them. Click the button below to speak with a team member and learn more. Learn More Clinical training and internship opportunities for mental health professionals Learn More Our Support Why seek mental health support? Families seek support for a variety of reasons including: Child might be depressed or anxious Concerns of bullying Aggression or disruptive behaviors Impact of a traumatic experience Parenting approaches School behavior Make an Appointment We offer mental health services and parent education classes in-person, online and via telehealth. We believe high-quality mental health services should be accessible to everyone. No one is denied services for an inability to pay. We do not bill insurance but rather determine a fee based on a sliding scale, where families help decide what they can afford to pay. Make an appointment FAQs Who do you work with? We provide services to children ages 0 to 15 and their families. All programming is offered in both English and Spanish and there is no requirement to live in a specific zip code. How much does your services cost? We believe high-quality mental health services should be accessible to everyone. Therefore, no one is denied services for an inability to pay. Momentous Institute does not bill insurance. We determine an appropriate fee based on a sliding scale where families help decide what they can afford to pay. Where do you offer in-person direct services? We offer in-person directs services at our Oak Cliff Campus and Constantin Center. CONSTANTIN CENTER 9705 Harry Hines Boulevard Dallas, TX 75220 OAK CLIFF CAMPUS 106 E Tenth St. Dallas, TX 75203 What’s your approach? Building a safe relationship with clients is our priority. We then work to identify each child and family’s strengths to create meaningful change for both children and their caregivers. Our therapists recognize that each individual has unique experiences, values, and identities. Our hope is to foster an environment in which all clients feel safe and valued. How do you request records? You may request your records by calling the front desk at (214) 916-4000. If you are requesting records for a child and you have shared custody with another parent, an updated custody order must be on file before those records can be released. Please note, it may take up to 14 days to fulfill a request for records. What is your complaint process? We at Momentous Institute strive to provide you with the highest quality services. However, if at any time you have concerns that your provider has not addressed, you may communicate these directly to leadership at Momentous Institute or through the Texas institutions that govern the practice of mental health providers. To file a complaint directly with Momentous Institute, please contact the following individuals: Laura Vogel, Ph.D. Director of Mental Health Services 9705 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75220 lvogel@momentousinstitute.org (214) 916-4000 Jessica Gomez, Psy.D. Executive Director 106 E. Tenth Street, Dallas, Texas 75203 jgomez@momentousinstitute.org 214 916-4000. Dr. Gomez is fluent in both English and Spanish ___________________________________________________________________________________________ The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council is responsible for the licensing and oversight of mental health providers. The council investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, psychological associates, social workers, and licensed specialists in school psychology. Although not every complaint against or dispute with a licensee involves professional misconduct, the Executive Council will provide you with information about how to file a complaint. To file a complaint with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, please contact: 1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300 Austin, Texas 78701 Main Line (512) 305-7700 Investigations/Complaints, toll-free system (800) 821-3205 Email this Complaint Form to Enforcement@bhec.texas.gov ______________________________________________________________________ To file a HIPAA Privacy and Security Complaint, please contact: Secretary of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Ave, S.W. Washington, D.C., 20201 Tel. (202) 619-0257 ### Careers https://momentousinstitute.org/careers/ Careers Join brighter futures. At Momentous Institute, we are committed to the wellbeing of our people and cultivate a culture where everybody thrives. Join Us Great minds feel. Explore our current opportunities. Interested in working with us but don’t see the right listing? Click the ‘Contact Us’ button. Contact Us Mental Health Services Bilingual Licensed Psychologist Research Senior Director of Research & Impact Momentous School Substitute Teacher Finance Accounting Manager Shared Services Employee Benefits and Recruitment Specialist Momentous Institute offers several clinical training opportunities for mental health professionals who are completing their graduate coursework and/or licensure requirements. Learn more Team & Board Say hi to our team. ### Our Impact https://momentousinstitute.org/our-impact/ Our Impact Creating momentum. Momentous Institute is where young people and their families learn to imagine limitless futures. The impact of our work speaks for itself. Moving the world forward On track to strengthen 1,000,000 children. The integrity of our work is critical to delivering effective outcomes. Through a detailed approach, we have developed a comprehensive method to assess impact and measure successes. Through the evaluation of these results, we are confident in our ability to strengthen the lives of 1,000,000 children and families by 2031. How we'll get to a million Mental Health Services Mental Health Services, our longest tenured program, offers individual, group, family, and play therapy. Our team of licensed therapists use a strengths-based approach to support children and families when processing trauma and other adverse experiences. We provide equitable access to all services through a flexible fee structure, no geographical restrictions, no session limits, and services in both English and Spanish. Learn more 2,192 Mental Health Services and Parent Education clients served in 2024. 66% Of families participating in some combination of family and group therapy had at least one family member demonstrate positive, reliable change at some point during treatment. Professional Training Services We provide tangible, proven strategies for implementing social emotional learning to enhance a child's success through virtual and in-person training sessions for educators, mental health professionals, and groups or individuals working with children. Learn more 3,106 Professionals trained in 2024. 86% of intensive trainees reported increased knowledge and skills. Changemakers Changemakers curriculum integrates current mental health best practices into educational frameworks, emphasizing various facets of executive functioning, emotional regulation, interpersonal bonding, and beyond. As a result, Changemakers gives both students and staff alike the opportunity to develop as emotionally thriving people. Learn more 400,000 Individuals have been impacted by Changemakers curriculum since 2021. 207 different organizations across 34 states and 8 countries implement Changemakers. Momentous School Momentous School is a Pre-kindergarten 3 through 5th grade laboratory school located in the Oak Cliff community of Dallas, Texas. Led by mental health experts, teachers, and support staff trained in social emotional learning and teaching practices, we ensure each student has the opportunity to thrive academically and socially. More about our school 97% of Momentous School Alumni graduate High School on time compared to 81% of U.S. low-income students. 79% of Momentous School Alumni enroll in higher education compared to 52% of national low-income students. 54% of Momentous School alumni graduate from College compared to 29% of national low income students. 92% of Momentous School families reported feeling a sense of community. Looking for more info on our research and reports? Try these resources. Explore our resources A Little goes a long way Give a little, change a lot. It’s only with the generous support of partners and donors that we can continue to invest in a better future for young people and families. ### Momentous Institute | Child & Family Mental Health, School and Training in Dallas, TX https://momentousinstitute.org/ Welcome To Momentous Institute A new way of humans being We work at the heart of education and mental health to help young people and families live happier, healthier lives. 3,000 Annually, we train over 3,000 educators, mental health professionals, caregivers, and individuals working with children 1,000,000 With the support of generous partners and sponsors, our team of experts is on track to help 1,000,000 children 2,000 We provide mental health services and parent education to over 2,000 clients annually. Our offering Learn, Heal, Grow We work with young people and families to provide research-backed and evidence-embedded mental health services and education. Mental Health Services Professional Training Momentous School Changemakers Curriculum The teenage years are marked by significant physical, emotional and cognitive changes. Our free guide dives into the world of adolescence and provides tangible strategies to support the teens in your life. Learn More upcoming events Training & Events Momentous School Tours Training & Events Resource library Latest Resources Changemakers curriculum grows young people from the heart. Explore our curriculum ### Our Story https://momentousinstitute.org/our-story/ Our Story Great minds feel alike. We are a team of passionate individuals bound by the belief that the mental health of young people and their families is momentous to their success. Our Mission We are dedicated to innovative mental health services, education, and professional training to strengthen children, families, and communities. Our Vision A world of emotionally thriving people reaching their full potential. Evidence, Embedded Where young minds learn to imagine limitless futures. Research is woven into the tapestry of our organization allowing us to reach farther and wider. Our evidence-based insights allow our work to be embraced and implemented into systems and programs well beyond the people and families we serve directly. More about our impact A long-standing legacy 100 years of impact For more than 100 years, we have worked at the heart of education and mental health to help young people and families live healthier and happier lives. Better together. Founded in 1920, Salesmanship Club of Dallas unites its more than 600 members to strengthen the mental health of children and families. Throughout the year, members focus their efforts to support Momentous Institute which is dedicated to innovative mental health services, education, and professional training to strengthen children, families, and communities. Uniquely, Salesmanship Club of Dallas is the host organization of an official stop on the PGA TOUR, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, which has generated more than $195 million for Momentous Institute. Through Momentous Institute, Salesmanship Club of Dallas is on track to strengthen the lives of 1,000,000 children and families by 2031. More about THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson What we’re known for. As the only Dallas nonprofit offering mental health services and operating an elementary school, Momentous Institute offers a unique synergy between education and mental health that no other school, curriculum, counseling, or professional training program offers. Each year, our research demonstrates that within safe relationships, strong social emotional health can develop through: A focus on building existing strengths of the child, family, and community Meaningful parent engagement and education Brain-based and trauma-informed practices Rigorous research and innovative practices and evaluation These are the core elements of every Momentous Institute program. Learn more about our impact Momentous School Where young people learn themselves by heart. Our nationally-acclaimed laboratory school provides pre-kindergarten 3 through 5th grade education. ### Clinical Training https://momentousinstitute.org/clinical-training/ Great minds feel Clinical Training APA Doctoral Internship Practicum Training Programs Postdoctoral Fellowship We are deeply committed to training the next generation of mental health providers through our APA Accredited Doctoral Internship program and practicum experiences. We offer rich opportunities to develop skills in various interventions emphasizing cultural, societal, and contextual considerations. Why Momentous Institute? We focus on the acquisition of specific competencies of advanced clinical skills and professional identity, strongly guided by the ability to cultivate a posture of self-reflection. Opportunities to develop skills in individual, group, family, and play therapy with children, adolescents, and adults. An emphasis is placed on providing linguistically and trauma-informed psychological assessments, expanding caregivers’ understanding of a child’s strengths and needs. We focus on telling the child’s story through the assessment rather than solely making a diagnosis. Spanish-speaking students wishing to develop clinical competencies in Spanish receive supervision from bi-lingual supervisors focused on developing this important skill. Have questions? Ashley Geerts-Perry, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Associate Training Director for Doctoral Clinical Training aperry@momentousinstitute.org · 214-915-4766 Magela Robinson, LPC-S Licensed Bilingual Clinician and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™ Associate Training Director for Masters Clinical Training mrobinson@momentousinstitute.org · 214-915-4764 ### Our Team and Board https://momentousinstitute.org/our-team-and-board/ Our Team A friendly crew. We are a team committed to strengthening the mental health of children and families. An organization leading the way in making mental health an essential part of how we all live and grow. Work with us Join our team. We’re a collection of experts in the mental health and research space and we’re looking forward to meeting you. ### APA Doctoral Internship https://momentousinstitute.org/apa-doctoral-internships-2/ APA - Accredited Doctoral Internship The APA-Accredited Doctoral Internship at Momentous Institute offers an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Grounded in the belief that knowing our own assumptions, guiding principles and cultural influences ultimately leads to professional growth and change, we strive to create a learning environment that encourages and challenges. Download our brochure Why Momentous Institute? Momentous Institute’s training program was first accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2000 and received a 10-year reaccreditation in 2024. The next site visit isn’t required until 2034. Our program focuses on building advanced clinical skills, professional identity, and a commitment to self-reflection. Trainees gain experience providing individual, group, family, and play therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. We emphasize linguistically and trauma-informed psychological assessments that help caregivers understand a child’s strengths and needs, aiming to tell each child’s story rather than focus only on diagnosis. Spanish-speaking trainees can further develop clinical skills in Spanish through supervision with bilingual supervisors Internship Structure and Activities Therapeutic Skills u003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eIndividual u0026amp; Family Therapyu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://youtu.be/5XUlkCqFNJUu0022 rel=u0022noopener noreferreru0022 target=u0022_blanku0022u003eu003cstrongu003eCLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEOu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eInterns are expected to carry a clinical therapy caseload of 12 - 15 families.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eTypical client concerns include emotional/behavioral dysregulation, acute or complex trauma, school issues, and ruptured family attachment systems. Momentous Institute does not impose session limits with length of treatment being collaboratively identified based on client needs.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eInterns often work from a conjoint individual and family therapy framework to address the unique needs of the system. This approach allows interns to be flexible in treatment and address underlying needs of a family through work with the identified client, the whole family, or various family subsystems (siblings, parent-child, caregivers).u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eWe strive to provide interns with diverse clinical experiences through their therapy caseload and support development of autonomy and independence throughout the training year.u0026nbsp;u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cbru003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eReflecting Teamu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://youtu.be/5XUlkCqFNJUu0022 rel=u0022noopener noreferreru0022 target=u0022_blanku0022u003eu003cstrongu003eCLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEOu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eInterns will participate as clinicians on the Reflecting Team, a family therapy intervention, throughout the full training year. Rooted in systemic and post-modern theories, the Reflecting Team involves two co-therapists conducting a family therapy session, while a u003cemu003eteam u003c/emu003eof therapists observe. Throughout the session, the u003cemu003eteam u003c/emu003eshares thoughtful u003cemu003ereflectionsu003c/emu003e with the family to offer new perspectives, highlight strengths, and invite deeper understanding of their situation and system. During the year, interns act as both the co-therapist and as a member of the reflecting team, with the intention of developing clinical insight, confidence, and therapeutic communication in a collaborative and supportive setting.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cbru003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eGroup Therapyu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://youtu.be/_1FXVjwjSfgu0022 rel=u0022noopener noreferreru0022 target=u0022_blanku0022u003eu003cstrongu003eCLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEOu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eInterns are required to participate in 1 semester of group therapy during the training year. Typically, interns join one of our existing clinical groups as a co-facilitator. These groups include:u003c/pu003eu003cpu003e1)u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;Launch – a child and family oriented group for children aged 3-6. Launch focuses on strengthening attachment systems and supporting both caregiver’s ability to co-regulate and child’s ability to self-regulate.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003e2)u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;Forward Thinkers – a child-oriented group for children aged 7-10. Forward Thinkers is an experiential group that utilizes an ACT framework to develop psychological flexibility, self-regulation, and social skills.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003e3)u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;Huddle Up – an adolescent and family-oriented group for teens aged 11-15. Huddle Up also utilizes experiential and process-based interventions to strengthen communication, support social skills, and enhance self-awareness.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eThere are often additional group therapies offered throughout the year that interns may participate in. Additionally, Interns can choose to develop their own group in collaboration with a supervisor or clinician at Momentous.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eThroughout the training year, interns will also have several opportunities to engage in our nature-based group therapy programs at our Piney Woods Campus located in East Texas.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cbru003eu003c/pu003e Psychological Assessment u003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eComprehensive Psychological Assessmentsu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://youtu.be/8slOPzCwlQ8u0022 rel=u0022noopener noreferreru0022 target=u0022_blanku0022u003eu003cstrongu003eCLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEOu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eInterns are expected to complete 4-6 comprehensive assessments during their training year. The majority of assessment cases are with students (grade Kindergarten through 5u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e) at the Momentous School. Referral questions typically involve concerns about academics, neurodevelopment, and/or socioemotional functioning. However, students at the Momentous School commonly present with dynamic histories, which may include complex traumas, grief and loss, and family stressors. Further, the majority of students that we assess are dual-language learners with rich, cultural backgrounds.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eAt Momentous we strive to provide a collaborative, therapeutic, and culturally-informed assessment experience to children and their families. This approach will develop interns skills with regards to differential diagnosing, examining the role of contextual factors, and using the assessment findings as a therapeutic intervention.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eIntegrated Health Grand Rounds Brief Assessments u003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eInterns will also complete a rotation with the Integrated Health Grand Rounds (IHGR) Team, which includes our psychiatric nurse practitioner and a licensed psychologist. The intern’s role on IHGR is to conduct brief, focused assessments to answer a specific referral question. This assessment can then be used to inform psychiatric treatment, therapeutic treatment goals, and/or to advocate for comprehensive assessment through a child’s school district. The IHGR rotation is meant to develop brief assessment skills, such as measurement selection and focused clinical interviewing, while also supporting consultation skills with members of an interdisciplinary team.u003c/pu003e Supervision/Consultation u003cpu003eTo further develop supervisory competence, interns often have the opportunity to provide supervision to masters level practicum students during their training year. Interns generally oversee a single clinical case and receive support through seminars and supervision of supervision.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eInterns also develop consultation competencies through a monthly consultation meeting with the Momentous School. During this meeting, Interns, in addition to a licensed psychologist, meet with teachers to provide support, resources, and recommendations regarding individual student behaviors and classroom challenges.u003c/pu003e Clinical Seminars/Didactics u003cpu003eInterns receive 3 hours of weekly clinical didactics focused on topics relevant to their work at Momentous Institute. These didactics are intended to provide interns with advanced training and exposure to a variety of theoretical orientations, therapeutic interventions, and relevant psychotherapy and assessment topics including ethics, crisis assessment, culture and diversity, psychopharmacology, evidenced-based practices, diagnosis and treatment planning, etc. We strive to make didactics engaging through experiential activities, active dialogue, and practical applications.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eThroughout the year, interns also have many opportunities to engage in clinical learning alongside Momentous staff during monthly clinical conversations, play therapy consultations, and additional all-staff trainings. Bilingual clinicians are also encouraged to attend our monthly Spanish consultation group.u003c/pu003e Developing the Person-of-the-Therapist We believe who the therapist is deeply shapes the therapeutic process. Our internship emphasizes personal growth alongside professional training, helping interns develop authenticity, empathy, and a strong ethical foundation. Program Focus Build self-awareness and relational style Gain supervision, hands-on learning, and reflection Explore reactions, biases, and dynamics in practice Strengthen professional identity and growth Commit to lifelong reflection and integrity Supervision Model Supervision is a core part of intern development, offering guidance, mentoring, and tailored support that grows with each intern’s skills. Interns receive weekly and monthly individual and group supervision through live observation, feedback, and mentorship from licensed psychologists and other mental health professionals. Supervision Highlights 4+ hrs weekly individual supervision Reflecting team and group supervision Monthly group sessions and mentorship Application u0026 Interview Process Application Requirements u003cul class=u0022wp-block-listu0022u003eu003cliu003eDoctoral student in a professional psychology training program that is accredited by the American Psychological Association or the Canadian Psychological Association. Students from non-accredited programs will not be considered for an interview.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eSuccessful completion of at least four semesters of supervised practicum courses in counseling/psychotherapyu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eCompletion of all graduate coursework by the start of internshipu003c/liu003eu003cliu003ePassing score on qualifying/comprehensive examinations by rank deadlineu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eSuccessfully proposed dissertation by application deadline, with preference for applicants who are nearing completion of dissertation (e.g., completed data collection) by start of internshipu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eMinimum of u003cstrongu003e250 intervention hoursu003c/strongu003e by the application deadlineu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eMinimum of u003cstrongu003e5 integrated assessmentsu003c/strongu003e, 2 of which must be with a child client (under age 15)u003c/liu003eu003c/ulu003eu003cpu003ePer APPIC policies, only clinical services provided to actual patients can be counted in the intervention and assessment categories (simulated patient scenarios should not be captured in these categories).u003c/pu003e Application Materials u003cpu003eDeadline November 10, 2025u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eAll application materials should be uploaded through the APPIC portal using the APPI system. u003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003eu003cul class=u0022wp-block-listu0022u003eu003cliu003eLetter of Interestu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eCVu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eOfficial transcript of all graduate worku003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThree letters of reference, with at least two from individuals who have supervised your counseling or clinical worku003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDe-identified integrated psychological assessment report (child assessment is preferred)u003c/liu003eu003c/ulu003eu003cpu003eAAPIC Directory Page: u003ca href=u0022https://membership.appic.org/directory/display/48u0022 rel=u0022noopener noreferreru0022 target=u0022_blanku0022u003ehttps://membership.appic.org/directory/display/48u003c/au003eu003c/pu003e Open House u003cpu003eMomentous Institute will host 2 virtual open houses for applicants offered an interview to learn more about our program. During the open house, applicants will have opportunities to ask questions of bothu0026nbsp;supervisors and current interns. Zoom links will be sent out with interview offers.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eOption 1: Tuesday, December 16, from 12:00 – 2:00 CSTu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eOption 2: Monday, January 5, from 12:00 – 2:00 CSTu003c/pu003e Interview Process u003cpu003eApplicants will be notified via email about interview offers no later than Friday, December 12.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eAll interviews will be conducted virtually via zoom. Interviewees will participate in an 80-minute interview with members of the Psychology Training Committee. Interview scheduling will be conducted via the NMS Interview System. Additional details will be included in the interview offer email.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003e2026 Interview Datesu003c/strongu003e: January 9, January 12, January 14, January 20, January 22u003c/pu003e FAQs What experiences can APA interns expect to get at the Momentous School? u003cpu003eThe internship is housed in our community mental health services department; however, interns often have many opportunities to gain experience at the Momentous School. During the training year, interns will conduct comprehensive psychological assessments for students at our school. Historically, interns have also run school groups for different grade levels and provided consultation for Momentous school teachers.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eWhile we welcome students from school psychology backgrounds, please note that the structure of our internship cannot guarantee the required hours needed in a school setting for LSSP licensure. Students wishing to seek this specific licensure should consult with the licensure board for the state they intend to practice to determine how our program aligns with necessary licensure requirements.u003c/pu003e Does the APA internship program have specific rotations/tracks? u003cpu003eAt Momentous, we hope to provide generalist training that equips our interns to work with an array of presenting concerns and with individuals from across the developmental spectrum. Thus, we do not offer specific tracks/rotations within our program. However, we guarantee that our interns will gain experience in family therapy, child assessment, and in clinical practice with children, teens, and adults.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eAdditionally, our internship program requires participation in at least 1 group experience during the training year. Typically, interns participate in u003cemu003eHuddle Upu003c/emu003e, our teen program, u003cemu003eForward Thinkersu003c/emu003e, our middle childhood program, or u003cemu003eLaunchu003c/emu003e, our early childhood program. We also have many other group programs that interns may opt to participate in throughout the year (e.g., Nature-Based Therapy, Parent Education, school groups).u003c/pu003e Where do Momentous Institute interns tend to go following internship? u003cpu003eMomentous Institute strives to prepare interns to work in a variety of clinical settings. Historically, our interns have completed postdoctoral fellowships and/or started their careers in hospitals, academic health centers, community mental health settings, school districts, and private practices. u0026nbsp;u0026nbsp;u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cbru003eu003c/pu003e Does Momentous Institute offer a postdoctoral fellowship? u003cpu003eMomentous Institute does offer one postdoctoral fellowship per training year. The postdoctoral fellowship lasts for one year and typically begins in August/September. Our fellowship is not APA-accredited; however, we are considered a substantially equivalent program in Texas under Rule 882.26. For additional information about our postdoctoral fellowship, please contact Dr. Ashley Geerts-Perry at u003ca href=u0022mailto:aperry@momentousinstitute.orgu0022 rel=u0022noopener noreferreru0022u003eaperry@momentousinstitute.orgu003c/au003e.u003c/pu003e The Doctoral internship in Clinical Psychology at Momentous Institute has been fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since March of 2000. In 2024, Momentous Institute was awarded a 10-year reaccreditation by the APA. The next reaccreditation site visit will not be required until 2034. The APA Commission on Accreditation can be reached at: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation Have more questions? Ashley Geerts-Perry, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Associate Training Director - APA Doctoral Internship, Doctoral Practicum, Postdoctoral Fellowship aperry@momentousinstitute.org · 214-915-4766 ### Ways to Give https://momentousinstitute.org/ways-to-give/ Ways to Give. Ways to Make an Impact. Giving Guide There are many ways to support Momentous Institute, from making a one-time or monthly donation to giving in-kind gifts or volunteering your time. Every contribution helps provide mental health services, education, and support for children and families. Make your gift today to be a partner in building a world of emotionally thriving people. Annual and Monthly Giving Annual or monthly giving to support the general operations of Momentous Institute ensures that our work continues to serve children and families across the globe. The Momentous Institute model is unique in the North Texas region, providing comprehensive direct services that focus on the whole child in the classroom and tailored mental health support to individual child clients, along with strong family involvement. Our decades of leadership in mental health, specifically the treatment of complex trauma, inform our educational programming, as well as training and research. Donate Monthly Donate Annually In-Kind Gifts An In-Kind donation is a non-cash gift—such as goods, services, time, or expertise—given to a nonprofit by individuals or organizations. At Momentous Institute, In-Kind donations support Momentous School and our Mental Health Services. In 2024, generous donors provided: A passenger van and a pick-up truck for client transport and camp needs Books for the school library Weighted stuffed animals and board games for therapy and classrooms 183 volunteer hours for support tasks 200 annual Reading Buddies, each reading weekly with K–5 students Interested in giving an In-Kind donation? Contact Us CREATE YOUR LEGACY Legacy Giving and the Red Heart Society The Red Heart Society recognizes individuals and families who have chosen to remember Salesmanship Club of Dallas and Momentous Institute in their legacy planning. It is our way of expressing our heartfelt gratitude to our many generous and visionary donors. Learn More THE CJ CUP Byron nelson Event Sponsorship Hosted by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1968, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson is Momentous Institute’s largest fundraiser, contributing approximately 35% of its annual budget and raising over $190 million to date. Held each May at TPC Craig Ranch, the tournament draws top PGA TOUR players and global attention. Sponsorships offer high visibility and help support the thousands of children and families served by Momentous Institute. THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson Contact Us Corporate/Employer Giving and Gift Matching Many employers offer ways to support nonprofits through matching gifts, donation drives, or employee-nominated grants. Check with your HR department to see what options are available at your company. Interested in partnering with Momentous Institute? Click below to connect with us. We’d be happy to share our mission and explore opportunities with your team. Contact Us Other Ways to Give Family Foundation Giving Do you have a Family Foundation that prioritizes education or mental health? Or perhaps you know of a Family Foundation that focuses on these priority pillars. Each year, Momentous Institute receives gifts and grants from more than 40 Family Foundations across the country. If you, or a member of a foundation board are interested in learning more about Momentous Institute, we would welcome the opportunity for a conversation and/or tour. For more information about giving through a Family Foundation, contact Tania Loenneker, Associate Director of Development, at tloenneker@momentousinstitute.org or 214.915.4758. IRA Distributions The Internal Revenue Service allows IRA owners age 70½ or over to transfer up to $100,000 to a charitable organization like Momentous Institute tax-free each year. Normally, distributions from a traditional IRA are taxable when received. However, when the distribution is made directly from the IRA to an eligible charity it becomes tax-free. For more information on direct IRA transfers to benefit Momentous Institute, contact your financial advisor or Robin Doeden, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships, at rdoeden@momentousinstitute.org or 214.915.4763. Mutual Funds Giving The federal tax code allows you to contribute long-term appreciated securities (that is, those held at least one year) – such as stocks, bonds and mutual fund shares – directly to a charity without paying capital gains tax on the appreciated value, as you would if you sold it first and then contributed cash to the charity. And, when you add up your itemized tax deductions for the year, you can generally deduct the fair market value of the long-term security at the time of the donation, not the lower amount you paid for it originally. (Source: Fidelity) For more information on making a Mutual Funds contribution to Momentous Institute, contact your financial advisor or Robin Doeden, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships, at rdoeden@momentousinstitute.org or 214.915.4763. Donor Advised Funds Giving Giving through a donor-advised fund (DAF) allows time to develop a philanthropic vision. You can typically fund your DAF with a variety of options, including cash, stocks, real estate, or other assets, and you will receive an immediate tax deduction. You can then tailor your philanthropic efforts to meet your goals over time by recommending grants to virtually any IRS-qualified public charity from the funds in your DAF. For more information about Donor Advised Funds, or to connect with an organization that could host your Donor Advised Fund, please contact your financial advisor or Robin Doeden, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships, at rdoeden@momentousinstitute.org or 214.915.4763. Questions? Contact Us Our Development Team at Momentous Institute is ready to partner with you to meet your charitable goals. Get Connected Thank you for your gift. Your support helps build a stronger future through mental health programs that empower people to thrive emotionally. ### Practicum Training https://momentousinstitute.org/practicum-training/ Join Our Practicum Trainings Momentous Institute offers practicum training opportunities for graduate students pursuing degrees in counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, and/or social work. Masters Practicum Doctoral Practicum Masters Practicum Experience Mental Health & Therapeutic Services Our clinical training opportunities are housed within the Mental Health Services department. We offer a comprehensive range of services including: Individual, couple, family, and play therapy. Psychological assessments. Parent education and support groups. Additional mental health and social services for families with children. Therapy Programs & Direct Service Areas Practicum students will be placed in one or more of our core therapeutic service areas: Therapy Services Includes play, individual, couple, family, and group therapy. Huddle Up A therapeutic afterschool and summer program for youth ages 10–14 and their families, focused on emotional regulation, connection, and resilience. Launch A relationship-based therapeutic program for children ages 3–5 experiencing significant emotional dysregulation, using developmentally appropriate approaches. School Based Social Work A hands-on experience in child development, case management, collaboration with educators, and applying social work theory to an education setting. Clinical Training & Supervision We welcome graduate students pursuing degrees in: Counseling Psychology Marriage and Family Therapy Social Work Training highlights include: Primary placement in one of our two intensive therapy programs (Huddle Up or Launch) Additional opportunities to provide individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, and families Weekly supervision from a board-approved clinical supervisor Live supervision and co-therapy opportunities Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, including RPTs, LMFTs, LPs, LCSWs, and LPCs Requirements & Responsibilities Currently enrolled in a Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. Available 20 hours per week for a minimum of 30 weeks. Must be at least 18 years of age and pass a criminal background check. Momentous Institute/Salesmanship Club of Dallas cannot accept trainees who are family members of either current employees or Salesmanship Club of Dallas members. Application Procedures The Graduate Training Team reviews cover letters and resumes starting in February for the summer placement, June for the Fall placement, and October for the Spring placement. Email the following materials to Magela Robinson at n mrobinson@momentousinstitute.org Applicants must pass a criminal background check to train at Momentous Institute Magela Robinson, LPC-S, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™ Licensed Bilingual Clinician and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™ Associate Training Director - Masters Practicum mrobinson@momentousinstitute.org · 214-915-4764 Doctoral Practicum Experience Mental Health & Therapeutic Services Doctoral practicum opportunities are based in our Mental Health Services department, where we provide: Individual and Family Therapy Group Therapy Psychological Assessment Parent Education Nature-Based Services Therapeutic Skills Individual & Family Therapy Doctoral Practicum Students will have opportunities to engage in both individual and family therapy throughout the training year. At Momentous, we often work from a conjoint individual and family therapy framework to address the unique needs of the system. This approach allows interns to be flexible in treatment and address underlying needs of a family through work with the identified client, the whole family, or various family subsystems (siblings, parent-child, caregivers). Typical client concerns include emotional/behavioral dysregulation, acute or complex trauma, school issues, and ruptured family attachment systems. Momentous Institute does not impose session limits with length of treatment being collaboratively identified based on client needs. Our therapy services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and rooted in family systems, experiential, and process-oriented theories. Group Therapy Doctoral Practicum Students may have opportunities to participate in one of our group therapy programs. 1) Launch – a child and family oriented group for children aged 3-6. Launch focuses on strengthening attachment systems and supporting both caregiver’s ability to co-regulate and child’s ability to self-regulate. 2) Forward Thinkers – a child-oriented group for children aged 7-10. Forward Thinkers is an experiential group that utilizes an ACT framework to develop psychological flexibility, self-regulation, and social skills. 3) Huddle Up – an adolescent and family-oriented group for teens aged 11-15. Huddle Up also utilizes experiential and process-based interventions to strengthen communication, support social skills, and enhance self-awareness. There are often additional group therapies offered throughout the year that trainees may participate in. Throughout the training year, trainees will also have several opportunities to engage in our nature-based group therapy programs at our Piney Woods Campus located in East Texas. Psychological Assessment Doctoral Practicum Students may have opportunities to conduct comprehensive assessments during their training year. The majority of assessment cases are with students (grade Kindergarten through 5th) at the Momentous School. Referral questions typically involve concerns about academics, neurodevelopment, and/or socioemotional functioning. However, students at the Momentous School commonly present with dynamic histories, which may include complex traumas, grief and loss, and family stressors. Further, the majority of students that we assess are dual-language learners with rich, cultural backgrounds. At Momentous Institute we strive to provide a collaborative, therapeutic, and culturally-informed assessment experience to children and their families. This approach will develop trainees skills with regards to differential diagnosing, examining the role of contextual factors, and using the assessment findings as a therapeutic intervention. Clinical Training & Supervision We welcome doctoral-level psychology students seeking in-depth, trauma-informed, and developmentally grounded training. Training features include: Experience in a variety of direct service opportunities, including individual and family therapy, assessment, and group programs 1 hour of weekly supervision with a licensed psychologist 1 hour of weekly supervision with a postdoctoral fellow 1 hour of seminar/didactic related to clinical skills, professional development, etc. Live, videotaped, and co-therapy supervision opportunities Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians including Licensed Psychologists, RPTs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCs Requirements & Responsibilities Preferred Qualifications Will be in at least their 3rd year of an APA-accredited doctoral program in Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology while on practicum at Momentous Have completed at least 1 year of practicum experience working directly with clients Have practical experience administering assessments, especially cognitive and achievement measures Received formal education on child assessment measures, with preference for applicants who have experience administering assessments with children Applicants bilingual in English and Spanish are encouraged to apply given the high proportion of Spanish speaking clients we serve. Momentous Practicum Requirements 1-year practicum, usually starting in July/August and ending no earlier than May On-site a minimum of 20 hours per week, generally split between 2-3 days Available to provide clinical services two evenings/week as this is when the majority of our clients are able to attend sessions Application Procedures The Doctoral Practicum Position will remain open until filled. Typically, we begin reviewing applications in early Spring and conduct interviews from February - April. Email the following materials to Dr. Ashley Geerts-Perry atn aperry@momentousinstitute.org Applicants must pass a criminal background check to train at Momentous Institute Ashley Geerts-Perry, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Associate Training Director - APA Doctoral Internship, Doctoral Practicum, Postdoctoral Fellowship aperry@momentousinstitute.org · 214-915-4766 ### School Tours https://momentousinstitute.org/school-tours/ School Tours ### Upcoming Training & Events https://momentousinstitute.org/events/ Upcoming Training & Events ### Donate https://momentousinstitute.org/donate/ Donate Today Give together, change a lot. Strong social emotional health is the foundation for children to have well-being and academic success. Your gift allows us to work with children, families and communities to create lasting transformational change. Moving the world forward Learn more about our impact. Momentous Institute is where young people and their families learn to imagine limitless futures. The impact of our work speaks for itself. ### Momentous Institute x Golf https://momentousinstitute.org/mentalhealthforeall/ Ready, Steady, Swing Mental Health Fore All The current mental health crisis needs our attention now. What if golf could be the solution? Ready, Steady, Swing Mental Health Fore All The current mental health crisis needs our attention now. What if golf could be the solution? Ready, Steady, Swing Mental Health Fore All The current mental health crisis needs our attention now. What if golf could be the solution? Link text The Problem. 21% 50 Million American are experiencing a mental illness 55% of adults with a mental illness have note received any treatment 42% reported no affordable care options 1 in 10 youth in the U.S. are experiencing depression that is severely impairing their ability to function at school or work, at home, with family or in their social life 59.8% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment 350 to 1 In the U.S., there are an estimated 350 individuals for every 1 mental health provider. The Solution: The Golf and Mental Health Connection Nature's Influence Spending time in green spaces has been linked to reduced stress levels, improved mood and enhanced overall well-being. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research found that exposure to green environments, like golf courses, can positively impact mental health by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Physical Activity & Mindfulness Golf involves walking, moderate physical activity, and concentration on each shot. This combination of physical movement and mental focus can promote mindfulness, enhance cognitive function, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine highlighted the mental health benefits of playing golf, citing increased self-esteem and reduced anxiety among golfers. Social Interaction Golf often involves social interaction, fostering connections, and a sense of community among players. Engaging in social activities, like those common on golf courses, can contribute to improved mental-wellbeing by reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Stress Reduction The pace of the game, coupled with the serene and scenic surroundings of many golf courses, can provide a relacing and stress-reducing environment. This can contribute to decreased levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and overall feelings of relaxation. Your title here Example title goes here Example content goes here The Solution: The Golf and Mental Health Connection Nature's Influence Physical Activity & Mindfullness Stress Reduction Social Interaction visit our shop Tools and strategies for thriving young minds Custom resources created for educators, parents, and mental health professionals who are on a mission to strengthen the social and emotional health of young people and families. ### Contact Us https://momentousinstitute.org/contact-us/ Contact Us Say hi, get in touch. Email Our friendly team is here to help. info@momentousinstitute.org Phone Mon-Fri from 8am to 5pm. 214-915-4700 Oak Cliff Campus Home to the Momentous School 106. E Tenth Street Dallas, Texas 75203 Constantin Center Our Mental Health Services HQ 9705 Harry Hines Boulevard Dallas, Texas 75220 Media Inquiries media@momentousinstitute.org ### Legacy Giving https://momentousinstitute.org/legacy-giving/ Create Your Legacy Legacy Giving and the Red Heart Society The Red Heart Society recognizes individuals and families who have chosen to remember Salesmanship Club of Dallas and Momentous Institute in their legacy planning. It is our way of expressing our heartfelt gratitude to our many generous and visionary donors. “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you will not get to sit.” - Nelson Henderson Ways to Create Your Legacy Bequests Through Your Will Add one line to your will: “I bequeath _____________ (either $_____, _____%, or ‘the residue’) of my estate to the Salesmanship Club Foundation, to support the work of Momentous Institute, for _________________________.” Fill in the blanks based on your wishes: • Specify an amount, percentage, or residue. • Choose “for their unrestricted use” or designate a program, like Momentous School or Mental Health Services, with a clause that allows unrestricted use if the program no longer exists. Life Insurance Beneficiary There are three ways to remember Momentous Institute through a gift of Life Insurance: 1. Name the Salesmanship Club Foundation as the beneficiary of your policy. Specify: 2. “to the Salesmanship Club Foundation for _____________________.” 3. Transfer ownership of a paid-up policy to the Salesmanship Club Foundation. 4. Open a NEW policy and name the Salesmanship Club Foundation as the owner. During your lifetime, you will receive an annual tax deduction for making a gift to Salesmanship Club of Dallas in the amount of the annual premium. And upon your death, the Foundation will receive the death benefit of the policy as a donation. Retirement Account Beneficiary Name the Salesmanship Club of Dallas as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), Keogh, or 403(b). By doing so, you can avoid significant tax penalties while supporting critical mental health initiatives. Looking for something else? Your attorney and financial advisors will be able to recommend a legacy giving vehicle that is best for you. We can also provide you with a list of professionals that can assist you through the process. For more information, contact Robin Doeden, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships, at rdoeden@momentousinstitute.org or 214.915.4763. ### Privacy Policy https://momentousinstitute.org/privacy-policy/ Privacy Policy Momentous Institute Privacy Policy Effective as of June 29, 2020 Momentous Institute (collectively, "Momentous," "we," "us" or "our") recognizes the importance of protecting the personal information collected from users in the operation of its services and taking reasonable steps to maintain the security, integrity and privacy of any information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. By submitting your information to Momentous Institute you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you are less than 18 years of age, then you must first seek the consent of your parent or guardian prior to submitting any personal information. This Privacy Policy applies only to Momentous Institute. 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Contacting Us If you would like to contact us for any reason regarding our privacy practices, please write to us at the following address: Momentous Institute Attention: Human Resources Dept. 106 E. 10th St., Dallas, Texas 75203 ### Search https://momentousinstitute.org/search/ Search ### Resource Library https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/ Resource Library ### Press https://momentousinstitute.org/press/ Press ### Squeeze the Day Events https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-events/ Squeeze the Day Events ### Squeeze the Day Partners https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/ Squeeze the Day Partners ## Resources ### Download Our Free Election Guide https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/download-our-free-election-guide/ Free Download It’s election season, and for some people, that means excitement and anticipation. For others, it means stress, uncertainty and anxiety. High-profile elections, such as the US Presidential election, can become all-consuming, seeping into every corner of our lives. This saturation of news may leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed or hopeless. Shifting our focus and strengthening our mental health will help us navigate the ups and downs of the season. In this guide, you’ll find strategies to support your mental health leading up to the election, on election day, and in the hours and days following. Click here to access this free download! ### A Guide to Managing the Election for Leaders https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/a-guide-to-managing-the-election-for-leaders/ Free Download Election season can be a time of anticipation, stress, and conflict. High-profile elections can become all-consuming, seeping into every corner of our lives. As workplace leaders, it is important to prepare for the election to set you, your team and your organization up for success in navigating this time. In this guide, you’ll find considerations and strategies to support your team before, during and after the election. It is designed to promote reflection, and we encourage you to adapt the considerations into your own context. Click here to access this free download! ### A Step-By-Step Guide For Talking With Children About School Shootings https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/a-step-by-step-guide-for-talking-with-children-about-school-shootings/ It’s the conversation no parent ever wants to have. But still, in today's world, parents continue to face the agonizing task of explaining violence and tragedy to children. When school shootings happen, conversations between parents/caretakers and children are critical. If adults don’t initiate the conversation, children will hear about the details on the playground, from the news playing in the background, at their places of worship, in their afterschool program or countless other places where these conversations are happening. And those details can often be limited, or simply wrong. It is important to give children the facts and the space to process through their emotions. School shootings are an especially challenging conversation to have with children because it hits so close to home for them. They go to school, they practice active shooter drills, they’ve all been taught what to do if someone with a gun enters their school, and they’ve all thought about it. So when it happens, even hundreds or thousands of miles from their home, they can often see it in their mind and create a picture of the scene. Understanding this context is important for parents and caretakers who are working to process through this with children. What follows is a step-by-step guide to having this difficult conversation. Always trust your instincts when it comes to children and allow the child to take the lead. Step One: Regulate Yourself All of us cycle through many emotions after school shootings, whether they're close to home or across the country – grief, anger, sadness, heartbreak and more. But parents/caregivers are also layering in fear and anxiety around sending kids back to school, concern for safety and even heightened levels of all those other emotions. This is normal. We all should be feeling this way after a tragedy. To the extent possible, we should attempt to regulate ourselves before having a conversation. What does that mean? This isn’t to say that we can’t show emotion! It is perfectly reasonable for children to see an adult cry while talking about a school shooting, but we want to create a space for the child to lead the conversation and feel comforted and supported by the adult. Being calm and regulated is important. Take a deep breath. Find a comfortable place to sit. Consider holding something in your hands and plant your feet firmly on the floor to physically ground yourself. These things may seem trivial but focusing on your own physical regulation will set you up for a more regulated conversation. Step Two: Ask what they already know. This can sound like, “Something big happened this week at a school in ___. Have you heard anything about that? What did you hear?” This step is important because kids often have misinformation. A child may have heard the true facts but may have heard wildly inaccurate information. Playground conversation can be like that old game of Telephone where, by the time the last child gets the message, it can be completely distorted. Step Three: State Facts and Omit Violent Details Start with just the facts. In the case of a school shooting, you might say something like, “This week, in _____, someone brought a gun to a school and a lot of people died.” Do not share details of the violence. Anything graphic can be very disturbing for children, especially those who are highly visual. Instead, keep the facts high-level and gloss over any graphic details. Step Four: Check for Feelings After stating the facts, you can ask your child, “How do you feel?” Then you can validate the child’s feeling. For example, if a child says, “I feel sad,” you might say, “This is very tragic. I feel so sad about it, too.” If they say, “I feel scared,” you might say, “I understand that. I feel scared, too.” Some children may say they are okay, or not respond at all. This is perfectly reasonable. Not all children process through their emotions immediately. If a child doesn’t show a lot of emotion, that is not necessarily cause for concern. If a child doesn’t respond, you can say, “You might have some questions or emotions later. I’m here to talk about it at any time.” Step Five: Reiterate Safety The first question many kids will have is, “Will something like this happen to me?” You can get ahead of that conversation by reiterating all the ways we, as adults, work to keep children safe. This might sound like, “I know it is so hard to hear about a shooting at a school. I just want to remind you of all the ways that we work to keep you safe at school. At your school, remember that the doors are locked unless someone at the front desk buzzes you in. Also, remember how you practice drills, so you know what to do in case something like this happens? We can’t ever know when or if something like this can happen, but I can tell you there are so many adults in your life who care about you and are doing everything we can to make sure you are safe.” Step Six: Open Up for Questions Create space for children to ask any questions they may have. Sometimes questions will be about motive (“Why did they do it?”) or about safety (“How did they get into the school? Could they get into my school like that?”) or about details (“Did kids get shot?”). Answer questions in the most general way possible, while still providing comfort. Again, children do not need to know violent details, even if they ask. Instead, focus on general answers that lead to a sense of comfort. For example, if a child asks, “Did kids get shot?” You can answer, “Yes, children died.” This is an honest answer, but not graphic. We send our support to everyone navigating these difficult conversations, with hope for a more peaceful world for all. ### How to Talk about School Violence at Your School https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-talk-about-school-violence-at-your-school/ By Diane Boehm, LPC, RPT, Momentous School Mental Health Professional The reality of today’s world is that schools no longer feel like a safe space. With school shootings happening across the country, teachers, school staff, parents and children are living in a state of heightened awareness and growing anxiety. People in school leadership positions are faced with a nearly impossible task of creating a sense of safety, supporting teachers and staff, responding to parents and supporting children. And on top of it, managing their own mental health. Here are four actions school leaders can put in place after yet another act of school violence hits the news. 1. Lead with Humanness The first thing isn’t so much something to do, but rather something to be. When leaders show up authentically and display empathic leadership, it has a powerful trickle-down effect. This can be done by communicating, verbally and nonverbally, messages like, “I’m here for you. This news is hard.” It is important to remember that everyone responds to trauma and crisis differently. Some may be eager to process it while others may prefer to compartmentalize and get back to work. A strong leader identifies that everyone’s needs differ, but that at the very foundation, everyone needs to be seen and treated as a human. 2. Acknowledge the Event and Share Resources It is important that leaders speak out. Yes, unfortunately, there have been numerous mass shootings and school incidents this year. Yes, that means that there might be numerous times in the year – even the week – where the leader needs to reach out to their team and acknowledge the event. This can be done in the way that makes the most sense and is consistent with how the school team typically operates. Some leaders will send an email, others may go room to room to check in, and others may call a team meeting. The format isn’t as important as the message, which is to say, “I’m here for you. We are all responding in different ways. We are in this together. This work is hard. Please tell me how I can best support you.” Resources to share might be talking points or links to articles about talking with children about violence, a scheduled meeting with school families, or links, hotlines or resources with more information. 3. Equip Staff to Have Conversations with Families Teachers and other school staff are fielding questions from students and their families. Do they have what they need to navigate this? Providing staff with the appropriate resources can include things like a reminder of school safety procedures and what to say and not say with children. It is not easy (or natural) for teachers to be in the position of navigating these conversations with families and effective school leaders give tools the resources they need to navigate this, including stepping in and fielding the conversations as appropriate. 4. Support Teachers in Taking Care of Themselves People tend to overlook the importance of self-care in a time of crisis. How can we possibly care for ourselves during a time like this? But if teachers are not well, they will not be able to teach or care for children well. If a teacher is experiencing trauma or stress as a result of an incident of violence in schools, they can and should use personal time off to care for themselves. Of course, taking time off as an educator isn’t always easy, but teachers need to be emotionally and mentally healthy in order to show up for students. Educators and school leaders can practice simple mental health practices such as talking to someone about their emotions. Whether its processing with a teaching partner or a loved one outside of school, being able to get thoughts out in safe ways prevents it from spilling out in less safe and healthy places, such as in front of children or families. Lastly – therapy! If there are barriers to therapy, leaders can support teachers by finding options through insurance or other affordable options. Therapy is a gift that can support sustainability in this taxing profession. Of course, this is the gold standard for how school leaders could respond. Not all campuses will get all four of these points right. We’re all only human. What to do if your school doesn’t quite hit the mark on one or more of these points? It’s not fair to put the burden of managing this on top of the work educators are already doing to show up every single day. But there are still things every educator can do to manage their own mental health and maybe even make the campus a better place for their colleagues. Focus on the circle of control. While an individual person can’t control the events of the world, the way a district or campus responds, or the way coworkers show up in the face of crisis, they can control their own responses. They can show up with kindness and empathy and you can choose to take on only what fits within their circle of control. Center empathy and compassion. Everyone is navigating this complex reality in a different way. It is important to have empathy for those who show up differently, compassion for school leaders, families and children who each bring their own experiences and mental health into the conversation, and most importantly, self-compassion for the way emotions and responses show up. Lean on each other. Educators are often siloed, not able to spend much time during the day connecting with each other. But in times of crisis, educators can lean on each other. It is important to remember the incredible power of just checking in. After all, we are humans – we are wired for connection! Lastly, it is important to remember that this is all relatively new. Most educators and school leaders didn’t come into the field of education trained on how to navigate this particular brand of crisis. Across the country, school professionals are still learning the best ways to respond and manage conversations around gun violence in schools. So ultimately, it’s important to be patient, to have compassion when mistakes are made and, above all, to lead with humanness. ### Managing Emotions Around School Violence: A Guide For Educators https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/managing-emotions-around-school-violence-a-guide-for-educators/ By Alina Ramirez, PhD, LCSW-S, Clinical Director As news of another school shooting spreads across the country, many educators are facing a variety of emotions. And while educators are often tasked with supporting the mental and social emotional needs of students during a time of crisis, fewer people are paying attention to the needs of the educators themselves. What should educators, faced with the fear of school violence do with their emotions? Here are a few things to keep in mind. Acknowledge what you feel. Crisis and trauma can bring up different feelings for different people, whether the crisis is in our own community or across the country. Some people will feel worried, grief, uncertainty or loss – loss of life, loss of security. It is important to sit with the feeling and acknowledge that it is there. If we skip this step, we won’t know how to manage the feeling. How we respond to anxiety may be different from how we respond to grief, so sitting with and acknowledging feelings is the first step. Validate the feelings. Whatever feelings surface, know that they are okay. It’s okay to be angry, to feel helpless, to be afraid to go to work, to grieve a life of someone you’ve never met, to be sad for your students, or any other number of emotions. They’re all valid. Work to Prevent Feelings from Taking Over Sometimes we get caught up in an experience or problem and the connected emotions and it feels like the emotions may be taking over. Ideally, we want to manage emotions in a way that does not hurt us or, in instances of trauma, does not retraumatize. I recently heard it described as “not being in your feelings, but being with your feelings.” Let’s say, for example, that the primary emotions I feel when I hear about an act of violence in a school are worry and uncertainty. A less-healthy way to manage these emotions is to let them take over and control my choices and my actions. I may choose not to go to new places for fear that something could go wrong. I may struggle to make choices because neither option feels really secure. But of course, it’s not possible for me to live without uncertainty in life. So rather than allow this emotion to control me, another option is to manage this emotion in more adaptive ways. This is to say, yes, worry is here. It visits me and I have to manage it. But I also have to allow myself to feel worried without letting it take over everything I do. Know when you need extra help. If, despite your best efforts to manage emotions, it still feels as if they’re taking over, you may need additional support. Teachers working in a system where acts of violence continue to happen may also be susceptible to something called vicarious trauma. This is the experience of trauma that people feel as a result of hearing about or witnessing trauma. It can have the same effect as experiencing trauma yourself – especially if the experiences are repeated. Know that it is okay to need extra support – not just in thinking about how to keep yourself safe physically, but also how to protect your mental health. Connect to your body. Many people have experience understanding the link between their body and their emotions. For many of us, we know that a headache or a tense jaw correlates to stress, or stomachaches signal the onset of anxiety. When we are paying attention, our bodies can alert us even before we have an emotional response. Take time to reflect on the connection between your brain and body. What does it look and feel like in your body when you feel sad, anxious or worried? Notice your behavior, too. When our bodies aren’t the clue, sometimes our behaviors can be. When we feel overwhelmed with a big emotion, it can surface in different ways. If you find yourself easily snapping at others, extra tired, wanting to withdraw or having trouble sleeping… these may be a sign that you are having an emotional response before you even notice it. So, what to do? Try grounding exercises. If we feel emotions in our body, we can also use our body to help manage our emotions. There are many ways to ground ourselves and bring ourselves back to the present. I like activities that use all five senses – so focusing on one thing you hear, one thing you feel, one thing you smell, one thing you taste and one thing you see. Why does this work? The science of a grounding exercise is that it reminds our body that we are safe and present in this moment. When our body understands that it is here in this space, with its feet on this solid ground, it knows that it is not in danger. When the body knows, the brain can also understand this and we can begin to find a sense of calm. Fuel your body. Notice what you feel in your body and respond. Feel tense? Try a muscle relaxation exercise. Feeling lethargic? Try walking to the teachers’ lounge instead of eating in your classroom. Talk to someone. Whether you talk with a professional or a colleague, a family member or another loved one, talking to people helps us make sense of our emotions. We are humans wired to connect with others, and when we talk, we make sense of our thoughts, and we often feel less alone. Be compassionate with others and yourself. Managing gun violence in schools is a relatively new phenomenon. As a student, I was worried about earthquakes, not active shooters. Most educators today grew up in a time without the risk of guns on campus, and so most educators are navigating this new territory with limited guidance. Be patient when it isn’t handled perfectly, and be compassionate with yourself when you experience emotions around this topic. As we all grieve the tragic loss of lives to so many school shootings, educators are tasked with the extra challenge of creating a sense of safety for children in their care. Remember to care for yourself as well so that you can continue to support those who need you in the years to come. ### Building Classroom Community: Morning Meetings and Relationship-Building Routines https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-and-why-to-start-each-day-with-a-classroom-morning-meeting-this-fall/ At Momentous Institute, we prioritize belonging with children and families. Belonging is a person’s ability to feel a sense of safety, acceptance and community, and it is an integral part of mental health. This sense of belonging is evident in the way we set up classrooms and engage with children every single day. Helping students feel safe and connected starts from day one. This begins by getting to know one another and helping students understand their role and the role of the teacher in the classroom. From there, incorporating daily routines like Morning Meetings help strengthen that bond throughout the school year. Let’s explore a few key ways we prioritize community and relationships in the classroom. How to Create Relationship-Building Routines in the Classroom There is nothing more important to a successful school year than building safe relationships. Safe relationships are essential, whether it’s the student-adult relationship or the relationships between students. If you do nothing else at the start of the school year, spend your energy on building safe relationships. Here’s how to set the stage for safe relationships from the first week of school. Day One: All About Your Teacher On the first day of school, give students the opportunity to get to know their teacher as someone who is there to help, guide, encourage and protect them. For some students, especially those in younger grades, this may be their first year in a structured school environment. And all of them will be experiencing you and your classroom for the first time. Clarifying the teacher's role is essential to children’s sense of security in the classroom. What should you tell students? Create a slide or write on a whiteboard or chart paper the role of the teacher. Include things like: My job as your teacher is to... Keep you safe Listen to you Be kind and care about you Help you learn In addition to this, give students some information about you. Again, make a slide or poster with photos or other details you want to share with students. Consider including: A personal introduction Something special about me Something I love/ something that brings me joy What I want my students to know about me Give students the opportunity to ask questions. Be sure to limit the number of questions students can ask. You might say, “I have just enough time for three questions. What are you wondering about? What else would you like to know?” Day Two: All About You Remind students about your introduction as teacher and tell them that you’ll be talking about their role as students next. Create a slide or write on the whiteboard or chart paper the role of students. Examples include: Your job as students is to... Come ready to learn Listen to the teacher and each other Work hard Ask for help when needed Next, remind students about what you shared with the class about yourself. Tell them that you’d like to know all about them as well. Give each student an “All About Me” worksheet and ask them to complete it, either in class or at home with their families. Collect these and read them privately. These are an opportunity for students to communicate directly with you and let you know details about their lives. Let students know that these will not be shared so they feel comfortable writing what they want to communicate. Throughout the year, and especially throughout the first week, try to find a way to connect with each child over something they shared on their sheet. You may want to take a quick peek at a child’s sheet before a planned interaction or pull students aside one at a time to go through the sheet together, asking them to tell you any additional details. Day Three: All About Us In addition to learning more about each student, you will want to create opportunities for students to learn about each other. This can be done by allowing students to share a little about themselves during whole-group time. This may spread over more than one day, depending on the timing. To plan for this, send each student home with a paper lunch bag with their name written on it. Ask students to put one item that is special to them inside the bag and return it the next day. Prepare your own bag as well. Set aside a large basket or box to collect the bags as students bring them in. Introduce the sharing by reminding students about the previous introductions from day one and two. Next, you’ll all want to get to know each other so that everyone is comfortable in the classroom every day. One way to get to know each other is through sharing about something special. Create a process for sharing the items in the bags. Remember that this should be a pleasant experience, allowing students to get to know each other better. Students should feel valued when they share. To ensure this is the case, select only a few students to share in one sitting. When students start to seem restless and inattentive, switch to a new activity and resume sharing later. Have the student who is sharing hold up the item from their bag and talk about why it is special to them. He or she can walk around the circle holding it so that everyone gets a chance to see the item up close. Create a system for asking questions. Set a limit to how many are asked and have a process for determining which students ask the questions. These three components of relationship building help set a tone for learning where students feel safe and comfortable in their classroom environment. But the community building doesn’t end after the first week. One way to continue to deepen connections in the classroom is by including Morning Meetings as part of the daily routine. This is implemented starting on the first day of school, and it connects to these broader routines. Morning Meeting Every day at Momentous School starts with a Morning Meeting. This routine builds on the relationships established during the first week of school by creating a time at the beginning of each day for welcoming students and making them feel important and valued. A morning meeting starts the day off on the right foot. It's an opportunity for connection and strengthening relationships with your students. They don’t need to last long – it’s difficult for young children to sit more than 10 minutes at a time. Spending a few minutes together in the morning is a great social emotional health practice and has a profound impact on the day – keeping students engaged and forming connections with the teacher and other students in the classroom. A Morning Meeting is used to greet students, allow students to share, prepare for learning, and then discuss anything coming up during the day. Let’s talk about what a Morning Meeting looks like in four simple steps: Greeting, Sharing, Breathing and Schedule. 1. Greeting: This is where students greet one another around a circle. Each student turns to the person next to them, greets them by name and shakes their hand. Teachers praise the students as they greet one another, emphasizing the use of each other’s names and the importance of looking at one another during the greeting. 2. Sharing: In this section, students are asked to share a response to a prompt provided by the teacher. Using a talking stick or stuffed animal to pass around, students take turns speaking while the others practice their listening skills. Sharing is a chance for students to get to know each other better. They can also practice responding to each other with respectful, caring language. Questions for sharing can include: Where is your favorite place? What is your favorite thing to do outside? If you could have any pet in the world, what would you choose? What is the best thing that happened to you yesterday? What are you looking forward to today? What is something you’ve always wondered about? If you could have a superpower, what would it be? If you could make a wish – for someone else – what would it be? If you had to eat only one food for a week, what would it be? Who is your favorite book character and why? 3. Breathing: Next, the teacher leads the class in a breathing exercise. This can be something as simple as taking three slow breaths together. Breathing is a helpful tool that allows us to control strong emotions and focus our attention for learning. 4. Schedule: We close out Morning Meetings by sharing the schedule for the day. This gives students an overview of what to expect during the day, making them feel safe and secure in the classroom. Download our Guide on Building Relationships with Students To learn more about how to build classroom community at your school by implementing Morning Meeting and other relationship-building routines, check out our download on Building Relationships with Students. FREE DOWNLOAD Building Relationships with Students Learn more about building classroom community at your school. ### Download our Teen Mental Health Toolkit https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/download-our-teen-mental-health-toolkit/ Download During adolescence, teens are beginning to establish their personal identity separate from their families, explore friendships and romantic relationships, experience the world more broadly, question their values and beliefs and examine their role in society. Each of these experiences can be accompanied by both challenge and joy. In this free guide, we dive into the brain and body of a teenager, milestones of adolescent development, the state of teen mental health today, and finally, strategies to support mental wellness for the teens in your life. Get started today by downloading this free guide. FREE DOWNLOAD Teen Mental Health Toolkit Download Now ### Your Brain on Tech: A Free Workbook for Teens https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/your-brain-on-tech-a-free-workbook-for-teens/ Have you ever told a teen to put their phone down only to be met with an eye roll or a look of disdain? Adults tell teens to do a lot of things, often without giving a reason. Sometimes, there isn't a reason other than: "Because I said so", but when it comes to putting down the phone, that isn't the case. There are a few things that happen in the brain when we use our phones that make it necessary that we develop healthy habits around phone usage. The Your Brain on Tech workbook combines information and activities to explain to teens what happens in the brain when they use their phones. The workbook highlights information about dopamine, the reward system and stress responses. It also includes several activities that allow teens to process the information they are learning and reflect on how they use their devices. A Free Workbook for Teens Your Brain on Tech Download ### Self-Care Bingo for Educators https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/self-care-bingo-for-educators/ Self-Care Bingo for Educators Share Download PDF Activity Self-Care Bingo for Educators Calling all educators! Check out our self-care bingo card for ideas on how to take care of YOU this summer. In this article ↑ Back to top What you will learn Why self-care matters The school halls are quiet, final grades have been submitted, and you’ve finished those last few days of staff development. Summer break is finally here, and that means it’s time to really focus on self-care. Wait! Don’t click away. We know that you are constantly told to focus on self-care. At this point, even hearing the word "self-care" can start to feel overwhelming. When we think about practicing self-care, it can feel like yet another task to mark off the to-do list. What self-care can look like It is true that practicing self-care requires intention, action and effort. At its core, self-care is about taking care of our own needs. Self-care is also about recovery, stress management and nurturing our brain and body. When we practice self-care, it is important that we take actions that support and nurture different areas of our lives, including our physical health, mental health, social connections and even those small practical things that help us manage our daily needs. For instance, calling a loved one can nurture our social self, while scheduling a meeting with a financial advisor can support our practical self. These self-care actions also help us manage our stress levels and care for our brain and body. Calling that loved one helps us feel connected and can flood our brain with feel-good hormones, reducing stress. Scheduling the meeting with the financial advisor can remove a task off the to-do list and help you feel more secure and less stressed about your financial future. So yes, self-care can be a mix of fun treats that perk us up, or can mean checking off literal tasks on the to-do list. However, practicing self-care doesn’t have to feel like a daunting, never-ending task. Try the self-care bingo card To make practicing self-care this summer a little more fun, we’ve created a bingo card (who doesn’t love a bingo card?) with 24 self-care actions that can nurture different areas of your life, including: emotional, professional, practical, physical, mental, social and spiritual areas. This summer, try to get a bingo by focusing on these aspects of self-care. But if you can’t hit them all? Just doing one or two things on the card means you’ve taken actions that support your mental health and overall wellness. Free Download Self-Care Bingo Card Download A few more answers Frequently asked questions Words to know Glossary Select an underlined word in the article for its meaning. Related reads ### 6 Ways to Keep Your Mental Health Strong Over Summer https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/6-ways-to-keep-your-mental-health-strong-over-summer/ 6 Ways to Keep Your Mental Health Strong Over Summer Share Download PDF Article 6 Ways to Keep Your Mental Health Strong Over Summer Here are six ways to keep you and your kids' mental health strong as summer settles in. In this article ↑ Back to top What you will learn We all love the feeling of freedom that comes with summer. There are pool parties and vacations and longer days filled with sunshine. But sometimes, the lack of routine and structure that comes along with the summer months can take a toll. The good news is, there are things we can do to take care of ourselves during these less structured months. Here are six ways to help maintain your mental health as summer settles in. Create Routines for Home and Stick to Them Without the school day to keep things structured, it can be easy for parents and kids to fall out of their usual habits. Keeping up with regular routines at home around sleep, meals and screentime will help you stay grounded. No alarm clock might mean you stay up later or sleep more than you otherwise would. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s important to be consistent. Try maintaining a regular bedtime and aiming for at least eight hours of sleep, even when you don’t have to be up early the next day. Healthy eating habits are equally important for our emotional wellbeing. When we’re spending long days traveling or out by the pool, we can forget to eat or opt for snacking over sitting down for a meal. But maintaining regular meal routines and getting the nutrients our bodies need supports both our physical and our mental health. Extra free time can also easily slip into extra screen time. Monitor how much time you and your kids are scrolling or streaming on those hot days when you’re stuck inside. Try to balance screen time with family activities that promote movement and connection. Set Summer Goals and Things to Look Forward To Setting goals can create some structure for both you and your kids. Talk to your kids about what they’d like to accomplish while they're out of school. Helping kids set summer goals provides them, and you, with something to look forward to. Maybe there’s something you could do together. Take an art class, learn a new skill together, or complete our Changemaker’s Summer Reading Challenge along with your kids. Looking forward to a positive experience is another way to keep that momentum going during the slower season. Plan a vacation, or take a trip somewhere close by that you’ve never been, even if that means just visiting a new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. Novelty helps spark creativity and boosts your mood. Stay Moving and Active It might be tempting to spend the summer inside on the couch binge-watching your favorite shows, but staying active is an important part of supporting our mental health. Exercise releases endorphins that help reduce stress and promote a greater sense of welling. So, take a walk as a family, go for a swim, or have a picnic. And, if it’s too hot to go outside, you can still find ways to move indoors. Practice yoga or dance around your living room. Even small moments of movement can affect your mental health in a positive way. The easiest way to incorporate more movement into your day is to do things you truly enjoy doing. That way, it doesn’t feel like work, but like you’re taking time to add more fun and play into your day. Spend Time with Nature (Even Indoors) Speaking of going outside, this is one of the best ways to experience the benefits of nature on your mental health. Even when it’s hot, try to find ways to engage with the outdoors while staying cool. Hit the pool or go to a splash pad. We know there may be times when it truly is too hot to go outside. But don’t worry, there are lots of ways to get the benefits of nature indoors. Incorporating natural light, plants, outdoor sounds, and even a quiet moment by a window can lower stress, improve focus, and give us a break from the constant stimulation of everyday life. Stay Connected with Friends and Family It might be tempting to stay alone inside to avoid the heat, but staying connected with friends and family is fundamental to keeping our mental health strong. Move things inside if possible and try to keep scheduled engagements, even when it’s hot outside, to maintain your regular routines and avoid social isolation. This is especially true for children who are used to spending so much time with their peers during the school day. Kids need activities to keep those social connections strong throughout the summer, so consider enrolling them in a camp, participating in a community activity, or scheduling a playdate. This will keep them entertained and keep you from hearing them say “I’m bored” all summer long. Don’t Forget to Really Rest One of the best things we can do for our mental health is to prioritize rest. And often, summertime gives us the perfect opportunity. It’s an excuse to slow down and enjoy doing less. See a movie, read a book or spend a quiet afternoon at home as a family. Taking time to recharge and rest gives our brains and bodies time to recover from life’s daily demands. A few more answers Frequently asked questions Words to know Glossary Select an underlined word in the article for its meaning. Related reads ### Momentous Closing Circle https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/momentous-school-morning-meeting/ ### Momentous Institute Annual Report https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/momentous-institute-annual-report/ 2025 Annual Report 2024 Annual Report 2023 Annual Report 2022 Annual Report 2021 Annual Report ### FREE April Downloads https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/free-april-downloads/ Celebrate spring with our FREE April downloads! Designed for caregivers and educators, these nature-focused activities help build social-emotional skills and strengthen connections through the power of the outdoors. Here is what's included: 1. Learning and Growing Just like flowers in spring, you are learning and growing every day. This activity helps kids take time to think about what they’ve learned and can help them see how much they’ve learned! 2. Nature Show and Tell Who doesn’t love a classic show and tell? It’s fun to share something you love with friends. A nature show and tell takes that fun outside. In this simple activity, children can explore nature and still leave the treasures they find in their natural environment. 3. Growing Kindness and Responsibility Growing Kindness and Responsibility teaches children kindness through recycling and responsibility by caring for plants. They create planters from recycled containers, then plant and care for flowers, learning to nurture both the environment and their sense of stewardship. 4. Weather Mood Journal Have you ever felt yucky on a rainy day or cheerful on a sunny day? That's because the weather can affect your mood. In the activity, we invite you to take a few minutes each day to draw a picture of the weather and write about how it makes you feel. FREE Downloads April Activities Download ### FREE February Downloads https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/free-february-downloads/ February is all about connection! Celebrate with our FREE downloads, designed to support kids’ mental health and social-emotional growth. Whether at home or in the classroom, these engaging resources help build skills, spread kindness, and strengthen relationships. Download now and share the love! Here is what's included: 1. Kindness Kangaroo Turn acts of kindness into a class project with this free download. This kindness kangaroo puzzle offers a unique way to help students learn how to practice kindness. 2. Heroes of History This free lesson plan, Heroes of History, helps teach resilience to students and can be adapted to fit any elementary or middle school classroom. Age it up or down with your choice of books and vocabulary! 3. My Friend's Favorite Thing Building connections in the classroom is essential for creating a welcoming and supportive learning environment. Whether students are meeting for the first time or strengthening existing relationships, opportunities to get to know one another help foster a sense of belonging. This activity is a simple and engaging way to encourage meaningful interactions among students. It includes two versions—one for younger students and one for older elementary students—making it easy to adapt for different age groups. 4. Move Your Mood Did you know that moving your body can boost your mood? If you are feeling bored or down, getting up and moving your body for even a few minutes will give your brain a feel-good boost. Try this activity out on a dreary February day when you can't play outside or in between lessons! FREE Downloads February Activities Download ### FREE March Downloads https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/free-march-downloads/ Start March with our FREE downloads! Designed for caregivers and educators, these engaging resources support social-emotional growth at home and in the classroom. From skill-building tools to fun activities that foster connection, our March downloads bring fresh opportunities to nurture well-being all month long. Here is what's included: 1. Changemaker Chronicles This free lesson plan, Changemaker Chronicle, introduces students to what it means to be a changemaker and can be adapted to fit any elementary or middle school classroom. Age it up or down with your choice of books and vocabulary! 2. Grit in Nature When children learn about grit, they learn that they can keep going even when faced with challenges. Nature can teach many lessons about grit. 3. Hula Hoop Children can learn many valuable lessons from nature, but they often don't get a chance to slow down and reflect on what nature has to offer. This activity turns a common hula hoop into one such opportunity. 4. Nature Senses Journal Try this strategy to practice mindfulness, engage with nature, and improve your mood. FREE Downloads March Activities Download ### Back To School: Six Ways To Build Emotional Safety This School Year https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/back-to-school-six-ways-to-build-emotional-safety-this-school-year/ ### 5 Mental Health Strategies Every Youth Sports Coach Should Know https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/5-mental-health-strategies-every-youth-sports-coach-should-know/ Youth sports coaches have a unique opportunity to positively impact a child’s physical and mental health. This season, try these five high-impact strategies that can set your season up for success. 1. Be Intentional about Building Your Team It can be tempting to jump straight in, but taking time to form a team will pay off in the long run. Start your season strong by playing games to help everyone learn names, and introduce a quick mental health moment at the start of each practice. 2. Establish Expectations Children need clear expectations and repeated opportunities to practice them. Set consistent routines, teach expectations explicitly, and model what success looks like. When expectations are predictable, children's behavior often becomes more predictable too. 3. Manage Big Feelings Big feelings are part of childhood, and definitely part of youth sports! It is important to notice big feelings and respond in a mental health informed way. 4. Foster Good Sportsmanship Good sportsmanship is about acting with respect and kindness, whether winning or losing. Build good sports by modeling what you want to see and practicing healthy responses. 5. Celebrate Effort and Growth Sports is about more than winning and losing. Celebrating effort and growth with kids builds their resilience and confidence. Rather than focusing solely on the scoreboard, paying attention to progress helps them develop skills they will use throughout their lives. To go deeper on each of these strategies, download our guide, "More than a Game: Mental Health Essentials for Youth Sports Coaches". FREE DOWNLOAD More than a Game Mental Health Essentials for Youth Sports Coaches Get Your Copy ### How to Get the Benefits of Nature Indoors https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-get-the-benefits-of-nature-indoors/ By Matthew Leahy, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Director of Child and Adolescent Group Programming, Momentous Institute There are many benefits to spending time in nature. It’s been proven to lower stress, improve focus and boost our moods. Throughout our day, our brains are constantly filtering out information: notifications, traffic, schedules, conversations and countless decisions. Nature gives us a chance to recover from this constant stimulation of everyday life. It makes it easier to slow down, notice what’s around us, how we’re feeling, and to stay curious rather than judgmental. But since we can’t always be outside in nature, here are six simple ways to get the benefits of nature when we’re stuck indoors. Create a “Notice Nature” Ritual One low-cost, easy change anyone can make to bring the mental health benefits of nature indoors is to create a five-minute daily "Notice Nature" ritual. Leave your phone behind and sit quietly by a window. Watch the clouds for a minute. Feel the sun on your skin. Pay attention to the birds, the changing light, your breathing, and how you feel. Let In Some Natural Light Natural light regulates our body clocks, which improves our sleep and energy levels. Try setting up your space to get the most sunlight throughout the day. Open your curtains or blinds every morning to let the light fill your space. If you work from home, try moving your desk closer to the window. If you don’t have a window in your personal workspace, take daily breaks in areas that do have natural light. Incorporate Visuals of Nature If you don’t have direct access to views of nature, you can still bring the outdoors into your space by putting up a landscape photo where you can see it every day. Choose something that naturally draws your attention, like a colorful field of flowers, a forest of trees or a view of the ocean. If there’s no space to hang artwork, try rotating images of nature on your screensaver. Incorporating these small visual reminders throughout your day can help create that calming feeling you get when looking out onto a natural setting. Listen to Nature Sounds What we listen to can affect our mood. One easy way to feel like you’re connecting with the outside world even when you’re stuck inside is to listen to nature sounds. Swap out your usual playlist for bird songs or ocean waves while you work. If possible, open a window and let the outside noises fill the room. Bringing these natural sounds inside can help you relax and reduce stress. Surround Yourself with Objects from Nature Incorporate more nature into your space with houseplants. Plants help us feel calm and connected to the natural world. If you’re new to houseplants, try starting with more hardy varieties like pothos or snake plants. And if you don’t have a green thumb, you can still bring nature indoors by keeping a favorite object from nature at your desk. A beautiful rock from a hike or a seashell from your favorite beach is a great reminder of how you feel in those spaces. Make Awe a Part of Your Daily Routine At Momentous Institute, we’ve found that there’s another layer to spending time with nature. It allows us to cultivate awe. Standing beneath a giant magnolia tree, watching a sunset, or listening to the wind through the trees reminds us that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. We can also experience that sense of awe indoors by bringing nature into our daily routine, no matter where we are. Incorporating houseplants, outdoor sounds, or just a quiet moment by the window gives us a chance to stop and notice the beauty of nature all around us. ### Summer Reading Challenge https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/summer-reading-challenge/ Free download Summer Reading Challenge Download ### How to Help Kids Set Summer Goals https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-help-kids-set-summer-goals/ Free Download Summer Goal Setting Worksheet Download ### Squeeze the Day Family Fun Activities https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/squeeze-the-day-family-fun-activities/ May is Mental Health Awareness Month! That means there will be lemons popping up all over Dallas, inviting you to Squeeze the Day. Before you go exploring to find them at all of our participating partner locations, download our free Squeeze the Day scavenger hunt and coloring sheets. Once you’ve found all the lemons in the scavenger hunt, download our lemon tree and lemon bowl coloring sheets to keep track of all the ways you’ve practiced mental health strategies this week. These free, mental health-informed activities are a great way to spend time with the whole family while taking care of your wellbeing. Check them out today to join in the fun! Free Downloads Lemon Scavenger Hunt & Coloring Sheets Download ### Squeeze the Day for Mental Health https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/squeeze-the-day-for-mental-health/ We've created expert resources to help you bring wellness into your daily life. These free, brain science-backed downloads offer simple strategies to improve mental health—whether you're leading a team, caring for your family, focusing on your well-being, or enjoying the outdoors. Here's what's included: Squeeze the Work Day: A free guide to help facilitate Mental Health Awareness Month plans for the workplace Squeeze the School Day: A free guide for implementing Mental Health Awareness Month across your school - Plus! Squeeze the Day for Family Engagement: A guide for leading a Mental Health Month plan with families Activities for Families: Five nature-based activities to do with your family this spring Time in Nature Tracker: A free worksheet to track your time in nature every day for a month Lemon Breathing: A simple lemon-inspired breathing activity Scavenger Hunt: Find lemons at our Squeeze the Day partner locations and practice strategies to support your mental health Lemon Drawing Activities: Free coloring worksheets to keep track of how you care for your mental health And don't forget to check out all the Squeeze the Day events happening around town this month! ### How to Set the Right Tone on Test Day https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-set-the-right-tone-on-test-day/ ### Tips for Test Taking Anxiety https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/tips-for-test-taking-anxiety/ It’s that time of year again. Everyone is gearing up for test-taking and all the emotions that go along with it. Test anxiety happens. There’s no avoiding it. The good news is, there are ways to manage these feelings before and during the test to help students feel prepared, focused and ready to do their best. Tips for Before the Test Talk about it with students. Start by asking students what they are worried about. Naming what we’re afraid of often makes it feel more manageable. Preparation is key to increasing students’ confidence when it comes to the test. Reviewing material in advance and breaking it up into bite-sized chunks will help students feel less overwhelmed. Practice some visualization techniques. Have students imagine themselves on test day, feeling relaxed and ready to go. Engage in breathing exercises to help students practice self-regulation skills. These will help them stay calm during the exam. Remind students that it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s all a part of the learning process. Going in with a positive mindset will help build confidence. Tips for Test Day Remind students to focus on themselves. Everyone reacts differently on test day. Encourage students to pay attention to how they feel rather than compare themselves to others. Invite students to incorporate small movement to give themselves a reset. After answering a handful of questions, students can quietly shake their wrists under the desk to get the oxygen flowing to their brains. If students feel like they need some grounding, try the 321 strategy: Name 3 things you can see, 2 things you can hear, and 1 thing you can smell. This will calm their brains and help them focus back on the test. Once the test is over, encourage students to let it go. Close their books, hand in their tests and move on to the next thing. Remind students that a test score is only a small snapshot of everything they’ve learned throughout the year. Tests are just one of the many ways to measure learning. There are also a lot of things that tests don’t measure. Maybe a student is naturally musical, artistic or creative. Remind students that there are so many things that make them unique and talented. The most important thing to remember is that this test does not define them. ### A to Z Coping Skills for Students https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/a-to-z-coping-skills-for-students/ Check out our wall of coping skills for students from A to Z! Coping skills help students regulate their emotions and provide strategies for managing difficult moments. Creating an A to Z coping skills wall can serve as a reminder to students that they have the tools they need to stay calm and focused throughout the day. Want to make your own version for your school? Download our free guide to get started! ### Free St. Patrick’s Day Downloads https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/free-st-patricks-day-downloads/ This St. Patrick's Day, try these two free downloads with fun activities that support social emotional and mental health. Try Shamrock Breathing, an easy breathing activity that helps kids slow down, focus, and return to calm. Use Be a Golden Friend to help kids practice positive social behaviors. Once they've colored in the rainbow for each prompt, they can fill in the golden coins to celebrate their success! Click here to download these free activities today. ### 4 Reasons Why Mental Health Matters in Schools https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/4-reasons-why-mental-health-matters-in-schools/ You might know that mental health matters if you want to live your best life. But why does it matter in schools? At Momentous Institute, we believe every student can benefit from a mental health informed education. This starts with teaching students important life skills, but it’s also about creating an environment that supports the mental health of the whole school community. Prioritizing mental health in schools means setting up classroom spaces to promote wellbeing, helping students build strong relationships with their teachers and peers, and building a community of support. Let’s explore what a mental health informed school actually looks like and why it matters. 1. Mental Health Informed schools provide a safe environment for students to learn and grow. A mental health informed classroom starts with the physical environment. This includes providing flexible seating and lighting options, and offering a variety of spaces, like a calm down area where students can go when they’re feeling overwhelmed. It also means displaying student work and giving them responsibilities in the classroom, which gives them a sense of ownership and belonging in the space. All of these intentional efforts can make a big difference in how comfortable kids feel at school. It’s not just about the students, though. Schools that prioritize mental health know that teachers need support, too. When schools give teachers the resources they need to take care of themselves, it allows them to create the best environment for their students, too. When met with challenging behavior, these teachers can lead with empathy, assume positive intent and chase the why to get to what’s really going on when a student is acting out. This leads to better learning for all students. 2. Mental Health Informed schools help students build strong relationships with others. Safe relationships are the foundation for learning skills that lead to better mental health. Teachers at a mental health informed school understand this. And they can be a model for students of what a trusted adult looks like. For some students, this may be one of the few, or sometimes only, examples of a safe relationship in their lives. When students understand what a healthy relationship looks like, it also helps them connect better with one another. They can learn how to manage their actions and reactions, control their impulses, and start to understand different perspectives and show empathy toward others. These are skills that can benefit them throughout their lives. 3. Mental Health informed schools provide a community of support. Schools act as an important gateway to a broader community of support around mental health needs. Beyond the classroom, mental health informed schools offer mental health services that benefit the entire family. Along with in-school counseling, they can help connect families with other mental health resources and professionals within their community. When students and their families feel supported by the school in this way, it has a ripple effect. This leads to better student behavior and participation in the classroom. This is a win for everyone in the student's life: their families, their peers and their teacher. 4. Mental Health informed schools lead to more academic success. Supporting mental health in schools benefits everyone involved. Stronger mental health can improve student behavior, increase engagement and build better relationships. On top of greater wellbeing, this also leads to more academic success. Prioritizing mental health in schools isn’t just good for students, it’s good for the entire school community. When schools support student wellbeing, they create a place where learning can flourish. Equipping students with the skills they need to face challenges, maintain healthy relationships and thrive long after they’ve left the classroom. ### What is Mental Health? https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/what-is-mental-health-2/ ### 6 Ways to Integrate Mental Health into Physical Education https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/6-ways-to-integrate-mental-health-into-physical-education/ You may think Physical Education is all fun and games. And you're right! But the fun and games are also part of a powerful tool that supports both our physical and mental health! Many students today face incredible amounts of stress and anxiety. But in PE, they get to move, play and just be themselves—important elements of mental health. With an explicit focus on mental health, PE can be a safe place for all children to thrive. We sat down with Momentous Institute’s Coach Lauren Carr to learn how she integrates mental health into her PE class every day. Here are some practical, easy-to-implement tools she shared that can be used in any school or sports setting. Create Opportunities for Every Student to Feel Successful Kids build confidence when they experience the feeling of success. Coach Carr creates stations and activities that allow every kid to try things in the way that best works for them. There’s no “this way or no way” mentality in her class. For example, a 5th-grade class was recently playing basketball. Instead of teaching the traditional method, which only a few kids can achieve, she created options. Students could shoot through the net or from a hula hoop hung from the rim. “It doesn’t matter if it wasn’t in the basketball hoop. It’s still a hoop,” Coach Carr explains. “My goal is that every student leaves the gym feeling like they accomplished something.” Create Spaces for Calm and Focus P.E. is often much louder than a traditional classroom, which can be dysregulating or overwhelming for some kids. Designated spaces and clear messaging let students know they can take a break when they feel overwhelmed and how to ask for help when they need it. Coach Carr gives students a sense of comfort and ownership of the space by: Teaching breathing techniques for self-regulation. Using a “Stop. Speak. Get Help.” poster to normalize asking for help. Giving each student their own numbered spot on the floor where they can take a break and have a place to go when it’s time to calm down and focus. Integrate Mental Resets Through Movement Transitions can be challenging for kids, as they move from the structure of the classroom to the PE space. Coach Carr uses simple movement-based strategies to help students transition their minds and bodies from the classroom to the gym, including: Practicing instant warm-ups. Playing games like tag. Walking and talking to serve as a quick release. Another quick tool: Coach Carr also meets students in the hallway outside the gym rather than having them enter on their own. This makes her part of the transition from the moment they arrive. Provide Opportunities to Develop Grit and Resilience During PE, students often learn brand-new skills, which can at times lead to frustration. Coach Carr saw this firsthand when her students were learning to play basketball. They struggled with dribbling, keeping their eyes on the ball, and scoring. But they didn’t stop trying. Coach Carr says they learned to stay focused, let their emotions settle, stay on target, and keep practicing. “They kept pushing, kept going, and they didn’t give up." Students learned that improvement comes through practice and perseverance. These types of experiences help build resilience beyond the gym. When she spots it, she names it. Coach Carr uses the opportunity to praise students, not just when they make a basket or score a goal, but when they persevere and overcome obstacles. Build Confidence and Core Memories PE allows students to shine in ways the classroom environment does not. For students who find it difficult to sit still in the classroom, PE serves as a much-needed outlet. It’s also an opportunity to provide lasting memories that create positive associations with school. To do this in her class, Coach Carr uses something she calls “Scooter School,” where students earn their scooter licenses through mastering certain skills. And those licenses become keepsakes even after they graduate from Momentous, creating a positive core memory that they can look back on. Tie PE into Academics Physical Education goes way beyond the traditional games and activities we associate with time spent in the gym. Coach Carr integrates math, vocabulary, and language acquisition into activities, helping students understand the purpose behind what they’re doing. When she asks the kids why they do the obstacle course, they tell her, because it’s fun. But it’s much more than that. “It’s to work on different skills like agility, hand-eye coordination and balance,” she says. “It’s fun, but it has other benefits, too. So, I try to point those out.” Physical Education supports both the body and mind. And when students feel regulated and confident, learning in the classroom improves, too—making PE essential for students’ overall wellbeing. You may think Physical Education is all fun and games. And it is! But the fun and games are also part of a powerful tool that supports both our physical and mental health! Many students today face incredible amounts of stress and anxiety. But in PE, they get to move, play and just be themselves—important elements of mental health. With an explicit focus on mental health, PE can be a safe place for all children to thrive. To find out more about the benefits of PE on student mental health, we sat down with Momentous Institute’s Coach Lauren Carr to learn how she integrates it into her PE class every day. Here are some practical, easy-to-implement tools she shared that can be used in any school or sports setting. Create Opportunities for Every Student to Feel Successful Kids build confidence when they experience the feeling of success. Coach Carr creates stations and activities that allow every kid to try things in the way that best works for them. There’s no “this way or no way” mentality in her class. For example, a 5th-grade class was recently playing basketball. Instead of teaching the traditional method, which only a few kids can achieve, she created options. Students could shoot through the net or from a hula hoop hung from the rim. “It doesn’t matter if it wasn’t in the basketball hoop. It’s still a hoop,” Coach Carr explains. “My goal is that every student leaves the gym feeling like they accomplished something.” Create Spaces for Calm and Focus P.E. is often much louder than a traditional classroom, which can be dysregulating or overwhelming for some kids. Designated spaces and clear messaging let students know they can take a break when they feel overwhelmed and how to ask for help when they need it. Coach Carr gives students a sense of comfort and ownership of the space by: Teaching breathing techniques for self-regulation. Using a “Stop. Speak. Get Help.” poster to normalize asking for help. Giving each student their own numbered spot on the floor where they can take a break and have a place to go when it’s time to calm down and focus. Integrate Mental Resets Through Movement Transitions can be challenging for kids, as they move from the structure of the classroom to the PE space. Coach Carr uses simple movement-based strategies to help students transition their minds and bodies from the classroom to the gym, including: Practicing instant warm-ups. Playing games like tag. Walking and talking to serve as a quick release. Another quick tool: Coach Carr also meets students in the hallway outside the gym rather than having them enter on their own. This makes her part of the transition from the moment they arrive. Provide Opportunities to Develop Grit and Resilience During PE, students often learn brand-new skills, which can at times lead to frustration. Coach Carr saw this firsthand when her students were learning to play basketball. They struggled with dribbling, keeping their eyes on the ball, and scoring. But they didn’t stop trying. Coach Carr says they learned to stay focused, let their emotions settle, stay on target, and keep practicing. “They kept pushing, kept going, and they didn’t give up,” she says. Students learned that improvement comes through practice and perseverance. These types of experiences help build resilience beyond the gym. When she spots it, she names it. Coach Carr uses the opportunity to praise students, not just when they make a basket or score a goal, but when they persevere and overcome obstacles. Build Confidence and Core Memories PE allows students to shine in ways the classroom environment does not. For students who find it difficult to sit still in the classroom, PE serves as a much-needed outlet. It’s also an opportunity to provide lasting memories that create positive associations with school. To do this in her class, Coach Carr uses something she calls “Scooter School,” where students earn their scooter licenses through mastering certain skills. And those licenses become keepsakes even after they graduate from Momentous, creating a positive core memory that they can look back on. Tie PE into Academics Physical Education goes way beyond the traditional games and activities we associate with time spent in the gym. Coach Carr integrates math, vocabulary, and language acquisition into activities, helping students understand the purpose behind what they’re doing. When she asks the kids why they do the obstacle course, they tell her, because it’s fun. But it’s much more than that. “It’s to work on different skills like agility, hand-eye coordination and balance,” she says. “It’s fun, but it has other benefits, too. So, I try to point those out.” Physical Education supports both the body and mind. And when students feel regulated and confident, learning in the classroom improves, too—making PE essential for students’ overall wellbeing. ### Three Ways to Focus on Love this Week https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/three-ways-to-focus-on-love-this-week/ Love doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It shows up in our daily lives in lots of ways. And we can help to nurture it. This week, try these three simple strategies to help spread the love. Use a Love Lens We tend to navigate the world in two ways: either by moving away from what we fear or by moving toward what we love. Our bodies can tell us the difference. Fear makes our bodies tense; love helps them relax. This week, try to pay attention to those signals. Notice when you’re running away from something out of fear and try to move toward love instead. Be as Kind to Yourself as You Would to Others It can be easier to show compassion to others than to ourselves. Self-compassion means showing ourselves the same care and acceptance we show to our loved ones. It takes practice, but we can do this by speaking to ourselves with warmth and encouragement, like we would to a good friend. This week, give yourself that gift by extending the same compassion to yourself that you give to others. Send Loving Kindness Sending loving kindness means intentionally directing goodwill toward yourself and others. We start with well-wishes for ourselves, like good health and happiness: “May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be well.” Then we extend those same wishes to others. First to our friends and family, then to our acquaintances, and even to people we don’t know. Love is all around us. By moving toward love, being kind to ourselves and sending well wishes into the world, we can remind ourselves that love isn’t something we have to wait for, but something we can cultivate through practice. ### Winter Olympics Bingo https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/winter-olympics-bingo/ The Winter Olympics are here, and that means many of us are glued to our TVs, watching our favorite figure skaters, speed skaters, skiers and snowboarders. As kids watch these incredible athletes on the screen, they're witnessing more than just sports. They're seeing the mental health skills the athletes have endured to get them there, and the skills they use to perform at this prestigious event. Download this Olympics BINGO sheet and open up a new conversation with kids about the mental health skills on display. Can they get a BINGO? ### Healing in Community when the News is Distressing https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/healing-in-community-when-the-news-is-distressing/ News headlines can often be filled with stories of violence, uncertainty and polarization. Constant exposure to this information can overwhelm our nervous system, leaving us feeling anxious, disconnected and distressed. During times like these, healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in community. Community offers us a place to ground ourselves when the world feels unstable. Through connection, we find strength and healing. Our communities are made up of people who share our values, hopes, and dreams. Our communities encourage us to be our best selves and show up for us during moments of challenge and change. Community is not just nice to have – it is essential to our mental and physical health. The human brain is a social brain. It is wired to connect with others, making community a basic human need. Here are a few ways to find healing through community. Identify your community. Take time to reflect on the people and spaces where you feel safe, seen, and understood. This may include friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, or affinity groups. Community doesn’t have to be large; it needs to feel safe. Recognize your community’s strengths. Every community has qualities that help it survive and thrive. Notice where your community shines, whether through resilience, creativity, passion, or resourcefulness. Naming these strengths helps reinforce confidence and hope. Show up for your community. Pay attention to the challenges your community is facing and look for ways to offer support. This might be through listening, empathy, mutual aid, advocacy, or simply being present. Small acts of care can have a powerful impact. Find alignment with others. Look for opportunities to connect with individuals or groups working toward shared goals. Partnering, volunteering, donating, or collaborating expands your circle of care and increases collective impact. This reminds us that healing is amplified when we work together. In uncertain times, community is not just a system of support, it is a pathway to healing. ### 5 Ways to Reframe Resolutions this Year https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/5-ways-to-reframe-resolutions-this-year/ By Matthew Leahy, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Director of Group Programming, Momentous Institute It’s easy to set resolutions at the beginning of the year, but we all know how hard it can be to keep them going. That’s because most of us set goals based on outcomes instead of tying them to our values. Keeping resolutions isn’t about willpower or discipline; it’s about alignment. When we connect change to who we want to become, keep goals small, and respond to setbacks with self-compassion, results will follow. Here’s how to rethink your resolutions for lasting change. Lead with Values Values are what get you out of bed in the morning. Resolutions can fail when they’re only focused on outcomes, such as losing a few pounds or spending less money. They stick when they’re based on what you truly care about and are aligned with how you want to live, like being healthy or having financial freedom. Instead of “I want to exercise every day,” try an intention based on your values: “I value my physical health and want to feel strong and energized.” When goals align with our values, they feel meaningful rather than something we feel obligated to do. Change Starts with Identity When resolutions fail, it’s usually because we’ve fallen back to our familiar patterns. Our brains naturally push back on behaviors that don’t fit with how we see ourselves. That’s why resolutions work best when they’re identity-based, not task-based. Instead of focusing on what you’re doing, focus on who you want to become. Rather than saying, “I’m trying to quit eating sugar,” try reframing it as, “I’m becoming someone who eats to feel energized.” When resolutions align with identity, change feels natural, not forced. Practice Self-Compassion Harsh self-talk makes people give up on their goals sooner. Shame activates the brain’s threat system, which usually leads to avoidance rather than growth. On the other hand, self-compassion increases persistence after setbacks. Try talking to yourself the way you’d talk to a friend. Reframe negative thinking, like, “I messed up, what’s wrong with me?” to positive self-talk, like, “This is hard, but I’m learning. I can try again.” Consistency comes from kindness, not punishment. Start Small Start with an easy goal based on the habit you want to develop. If it feels hard, it’s too big. Commitment grows from small, repeatable actions aligned with your values. Instead of all-or-nothing thinking like, “It’s not worth doing if I only have two minutes,” practice progressive thinking: “Two minutes is enough to create a habit and keep it alive.” Motivation comes from taking action, not the other way around. Over time, small actions lead to real change. Redefine Success Measure success by showing up, not by results. Progress isn’t always linear, and setbacks are a natural part of the process. If you fall off, just start back up. Every time we start again, we build resilience. This year, when you think about resolutions, strive for alignment over perfection. Start small, stay kind to yourself and keep showing up. That’s how New Year’s resolutions lead to change that lasts. ### 5 Ways to Form Connections with People in an AI World https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/5-ways-to-form-connections-with-people-in-an-ai-world/ Our brains are wired to connect with other people. Through relationships, we develop important skills like empathy, conflict resolution and perspective taking. But it can be hard to form connections with others! Download this quick resource for a kid in your life. It contains five simple strategies and reflection questions for forming connections with others - beyond the screen. FREE DOWNLOAD 5 Ways to Form Connections in an AI World Download Now ### AI Reflection Questions for Kids https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/ai-reflection-questions-for-kids/ Many kids are using AI tools not just for research or homework, but for real-life issues as well. Sometimes these AI tools can be very helpful. But they can’t replace a real human connection. Is a child in your life turning to AI for advice, answers or support? Download this quick free guide with reflection questions that can support how the engage with this technology. FREE DOWNLOAD AI Reflection Questions Download ### What You Need to Know about Brain Pruning and AI https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/what-you-need-to-know-about-brain-pruning-and-ai/ Spending more time chatting with AI than with people could change the way our brains develop. If kids turn to AI to navigate life’s difficult moments, they miss out on the opportunity to strengthen important social skills, which could hinder their emotional growth. This is because of how interacting with AI affects a process our brains go through called synaptic pruning. What is Pruning? At birth, our brains have almost all of the neurons they will ever have. Through time and experience, children’s brains develop millions of synaptic connections, and this changes the brain by increasing its density. But if a connection isn’t used, or if it becomes irrelevant in our daily lives, it gets cut out. This pruning process is especially active from late childhood to early adolescence. It's like our brains go through a renovation where certain underused areas get shut down. We keep the connections we use the most and get rid of the ones we don’t. It helps the brain stay efficient and reduces the amount of unnecessary information. This process is designed to sharpen our thinking, social skills and decision-making as we develop into adults. But what if, instead, our brains start pruning out the connections that help us gain these skills? How AI Affects Brain Pruning Think about a garden. Pruning helps it thrive. Now imagine if you didn’t just prune the weeds in your garden, but your flowers, too. You’d be cutting out the parts of the garden that you want to keep. When kids start using AI to perform tasks that require problem-solving and critical thinking, or they spend more time chatting with a bot than with their friends, they could be increasing brain pruning in the same way. The emerging concern is that neglecting to practice these skills at a time when the brain is weeding things out could potentially lead to the loss of neural connections. These connections are essential to helping us understand how others are thinking or feeling by reading their facial expressions and body language. They strengthen our social awareness and empathy. When we prune these skills out, it can cause us to experience things like anxiety and depression, and it can weaken our ability to solve problems or connect with others. The good news is, these skills can still be developed throughout our lives thanks to the power of neuroplasticity, our brain’s ability to change in response to experience. With effort and repetition, relearning these skills is possible, but our brain’s overall plasticity declines with age. That’s why it’s so important for us to be mindful of the potential connection between AI use and synaptic pruning as kids continue to incorporate AI more and more into their daily lives. AI can be a tool for inspiration or gathering information, but it isn’t a substitute for interacting with other people. During the important pruning years of adolescence, kids need real-world experiences to help build the connections in the brain that allow us to solve problems and understand others. Every potential challenge, conversation or interaction is a chance to strengthen these connections that help us thrive as adults. Click here to access this free download! AI Downloads Free Download Download ### AI Safety Tips for Parents https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/ai-safety-tips-for-parents/ Kids are turning to AI tools for mental health support. While these tools can be helpful at times, like with all new technology, it is important that parents and caregivers understand them and can set healthy guidelines. Download this quick sheet for safety tips to protect your child’s emotional and mental wellbeing while using AI tools. FREE DOWNLOAD AI Safety Tips for Parents Download ### Understanding the Difference Between Human Co-Regulation and Chatbot Validation https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/understanding-the-difference-between-human-co-regulation-and-chatbot-validation/ Has this happened to you? It’s late, but you can’t sleep because your mind won’t stop replaying a tough conversation from earlier in the day. You need reassurance, but no one’s awake, so you open up an AI chat for a little late-night support. Or maybe you’re navigating a tricky situation with a friend and turn to AI for help with sorting out what to say. Sometimes, the responses we get from those chatbots can feel surprisingly comforting. They can put words to our feelings and even provide a little relief when we’re stressed. This kind of validation can be helpful, but it isn’t the same as co-regulation, which only happens through real human connection. What Exactly is Co-Regulation? Co-regulation is a back-and-forth process between two people that helps restore emotional balance. It’s not just about words. It includes things like tone of voice, facial expressions, body language and physical presence. If you’ve ever seen a mom soothing her crying toddler with a soft touch and calming voice, that’s co-regulation. This is how our brains first learn to regulate emotions, and it doesn’t stop there. Co-regulation can happen between friends, family members, co-workers and even a kind stranger. The power of co-regulation is that it impacts both our minds and our bodies. When we feel seen and safe with another person, our breath and heartbeat slow down, our muscles relax and we feel at ease. This is our nervous system literally syncing up with the other person's, and a chatbot can’t replicate this physical reaction. How is that Different from AI Validation? When we interact with AI, it can mimic empathy by offering supportive statements. This can be exactly what we need sometimes. It can make us feel seen and understood. It gives us a chance to slow down and reflect on what’s happening. But here’s the thing: those responses are based on complex algorithms and learned behavior, not genuine feelings. It’s more of a one-way street, with AI offering information and validation, but no real emotional exchange happening beneath the surface. On the other hand, when we’re able to co-regulate with another person who is calm and present, our brain and body can actually begin to mirror that behavior. Why it Matters Many of us are turning to AI in moments of dysregulation. This can be a helpful tool, but it can’t replace the co-regulating that happens with another human. AI can’t hold us, breathe with us, laugh or cry with us. It doesn’t have a heartbeat or a nervous system that can sync with ours. So, while AI can be useful in the right situation, as a late-night listener or a quick problem solver, it’s not a substitute for human interaction. When we need true connection and perspective, we have to remember to reach out to our people, too. Click here to learn more and access our free download! AI Downloads Free Download Download ### FREE Download for October https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/free-downloads-october/ Our free Halloween activity downloads are packed with festive fun, and as an added bonus, they help kids practice important mental health skills. Whether in the classroom or at home, these easy-to-use resources are a perfect way to sprinkle a little extra magic into your Halloween while fostering emotional growth. Download yours today and make this season both exciting and meaningful! What's Included? 1. Straw The Scarecrow While kids can feel scared any time, we thought since spooky season is here, it would be a good time to talk to kids about feelings scared. Thinking about being scared can be, yes, scary. This is why we've created a fun workbook that features Straw, a scarecrow who is scared of a lot of things. Even though he is scared a lot, Straw knows that it is normal to feel scared and wants to help kids understand that everyone feels scared sometimes. It is important that students learn how to manage strong emotions. Feeling scared is a strong emotion that can feel overwhelming and everlasting. The 'Straw the Scared Scarecrow' workbook is designed to help students understand that it is normal to feel scared sometimes and that feeling scared is only temporary. The workbook also teaches students that their brain works to protect them in times when they feel scared. When students are able to understand what emotions they are experiencing and how those emotions affect them, they are better able to self-regulate. The activities in the student workbook can be used to supplement the learning or can be given to students at any time as part of your social emotional learning classroom toolkit. 2. No Tricks, Just Treats of Kindness Activity The Halloween season is here which means pumpkins, costumes and trick-or-treating. To celebrate the Halloween season, we've created a fun way for kids to learn about kindness. This is a social emotional learning take on trick-or-treat: No Tricks, Only Treats of Kindness. Kindness can be expressed in many ways through words and actions, and practicing kindness allows children to develop kindness as a skill. This activity is designed to help children practice kindness with intention. 3. Make a Friendly Monster In school and in life, students will find that they need to work with a partner or as a member of a group or team. Being able to collaborate is a skill that students will need throughout their lives, but it is also a skill that needs to be taught and strengthened through intentional practice. Learning how to be a good partner and collaborator will set students up to be successful when they need to work with others. This lesson, Make a Friendly Monster, can be adapted to fit any elementary or middle school classroom. Age it up or down with your choice of books and vocabulary! FREE Halloween Themed Activities Free Download Spooky season is here, and so are our free Halloween downloads! Download ### The Mental Health Case for the Return of the Landline https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/the-mental-health-case-for-the-return-of-the-landline/ There’s a growing trend for some parents who hope to delay cell phones: the home phone is back. This return to a simpler form of communication reflects years of research on the effects of cell phones on young brains. Can the landline be a solution to a few of these challenges? Let’s explore three mental health benefits of delaying cell phones in exchange for a home phone. 1. It still grants kids access to communication. Communication is important, and as children get older, it is developmentally appropriate for them to have their own relationship with friends and family members. The home phone allows them to talk to friends they don’t see daily, schedule meetups, and maintain relationships with far-away family members. This is an important part of adolescence that could be lost with a strict “no phones” rule but can be maintained in a healthy way with a landline. 2. It doesn’t provide the same dopamine hits and withdrawals of cell phones. Dopamine is a “feel-good” hormone in the brain that spikes when we engage in pleasurable activity, such as eating a favorite food, or from technology, like a text alert, a funny video, or a notification that someone liked your post. But too much technology-produced dopamine can cause the brain to produce less of it, forcing us to do more to feel joy. This makes withdrawals even more significant as the brain recalibrates around the dopamine hits. A landline has much less stimuli and so it offers less dramatic dopamine hits and withdrawals. A person may have a healthy dopamine spike when it rings or while talking to a friend, but without the damaging levels that can cause withdrawal symptoms. The Effect of Cell Phones on Dopamine in the Brain Learn more 3. There’s no social media. When kids have access to a smartphone, it’s generally only a matter of time before they begin to ask for social media. Research states that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression. Yet the average daily use for adolescents is 4.8 hours. Delaying access to social media is an important safety measure that adults can take to protect children from exposure to violence and sensitive material, increase sleep and other health measures, and improve social connection. Surgeon General Calls for Warning Labels on Social Media Learn more As parents continue to find ways to keep their children safe, healthy and thriving in today’s world, the move to a landline is one of many tools that can support a child’s mental health and wellbeing. ### 3 Ways Social Interactions Help the Brain that AI Can’t Replicate https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/3-ways-social-interactions-help-the-brain-that-ai-cant-replicate/ The brain is a social organ wired to connect with others. It rewards us for social interactions that play an important role in shaping how we learn, feel, and grow. Here are three ways that socializing helps the brain in ways that AI can’t replicate. The Social Brain & Neuroplasticity Spending time with other people isn’t just fun, it also supports our brain development and mental health. When we socialize, we activate the part of the brain that helps us with emotional processing, called the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The mPFC lights up when we notice people’s facial expressions, tone of voice and body language. All the things that help us understand what others are thinking and feeling. And the more we engage socially, the more we strengthen our brain’s neuroplasticity, allowing it to change and adapt. This can boost our cognitive skills, emotional regulation and resilience. Mirror Neurons & Empathy Development Have you ever noticed how yawns are contagious? Or have you smiled when you saw someone else smiling? That’s thanks to a group of brain cells called mirror neurons. These are activated when we witness other people’s behavior. That includes everything from facial expressions, gestures, speech patterns and even feelings. This is how we naturally learn empathy, and it happens through face-to-face interactions, where we are able to see and experience someone else’s feelings as our own. Interacting with AI doesn’t trigger these mirror neurons in the same way because it doesn’t feel or respond the way a human does. Release of Feel-Good Chemicals Warm, caring interactions with another human being, like a hug, smile or comforting voice, trigger our brains to release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. This happens when we help a friend or spend time with loved ones, and they don’t just feel good in the moment. The positive vibes we get from these experiences can actually build lasting connections and memories in our brains, and that encourages us to repeat this positive behavior in the future. Engaging in social interactions is essential for our overall well-being. While AI might be able to simulate a conversation, it can’t create the same rewarding brain activity that comes from genuine human connection. Click here to learn more and access our free download. AI Downloads Free Download Download ### Your Brain Isn’t Scary https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/your-brain-isnt-scary/ Brains are squishy, jiggly, and may seem a little spooky. This Halloween, kids can learn some brain facts that show how brains aren't scary, they're AMAZING! Start this activity by reading the Brains Aren't Scary poem together. Then have kids complete the activity sheet. Brains Aren't Scary Brains! Ewww! Wait a minute, brains aren’t scary! Brains are amazing! Did you know, your brain is pink, like a pig? And weighs three pounds like a small pumpkin? Did you know your brain never stops working… even when you’re asleep? Your brain sends messages to your body… To blink… And jump… And run! Your brain helps you learn… And make good choices! Your brain makes you YOU! BRAINS AREN'T SCARY Activity Sheet ### Recognizing Glimmers: Small Moments That Spark Wellbeing https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/recognizing-glimmers-small-moments-that-spark-wellbeing/ You may already be familiar with the word trigger. A trigger is a cue that activates a distressing emotional reaction, often associated with a past negative experience or trauma. Triggers can lead to feelings of fear, anger, sadness, or anxiety, and may cause us to react in a way that feels out of proportion to the current situation. But have you ever heard of a glimmer? A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. It is a small moment that sparks a sense of safety, calm or connection. Triggers pull us away from regulation. Glimmers return us to it. Glimmers are more than just noticing a nice moment. Recognizing and savoring glimmers can: Reduce stress and anxiety Increase emotional resilience Strengthen connection with yourself and others Build habits that support mental health So, what exactly are glimmers and how do we find more of them? Glimmers differ for every person, depending on what sparks a sense of joy, calm and safety. Common examples include: A smile from a stranger Warm sunlight on your skin Your favorite song on the radio The smell of fresh coffee Laughter with a friend The feel of a light breeze on your face The sound of birds singing in the morning Accomplishing a task that makes you feel organized and prepared A song on the radio that reminds you of a great moment from your past Sounds of the ocean Glimmers can happen all the time, every day. But it takes intention to recognize and savor them, in order to reap the benefits. Here are four quick ways to spot your own glimmers. 1. Pause and Notice Any time you need a glimmer, take a breathe and look around for something that feels comforting. It doesn’t have to be something big; you can almost always find one small glimmer in any moment. 2. Use Your Senses What sights, sounds, smells, tastes or touches feel good to your body in this moment? Or what sense can you activate with something that provides comfort? Maybe you need to take a sip of something sweet, sniff a familiar fragrance or go for a walk to spot something that brings you a sense of calm. 3. Share About Your Glimmers Talk about your glimmers with those around you. Text an image of a glimmer to a friend, incorporate the sharing of glimmers into the dinner table conversation or a team meeting. Find small ways to share about your glimmers and invite others to do the same. This reinforces positivity and encourages you to keep focusing on glimmers. 4. Track Your Glimmers Use this free download to keep track of your glimmers throughout the day and week. Writing them down and reflecting on them adds an additional layer that can help you gain even more benefit from glimmers. FREE DOWNLOAD Triggers and Glimmers Use this guide to track your triggers and glimmers, noticing what they can teach you. Download Now While our bodies are wired to detect triggers as a means of self-protection, glimmers often pass by unnoticed. Just as we’ve learned to respond to what feels unsafe, we can also train ourselves to notice what feels safe, soothing, and connecting. Recognizing glimmers is an intentional practice, one that helps rewire our brains for resilience, balance, and emotional well-being. When we teach ourselves to pause and acknowledge even the smallest moments of warmth or calm, we begin to expand our capacity for joy, connection, and healing. ### Five Common Types of Bullying and How to Spot Them https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/five-common-types-of-bullying-and-how-to-spot-them/ What is Bullying? Classic portrayals of bullying usually involve a student shoving another kid in the hallway or pushing a peer into a locker. While these are certainly examples of bullying behavior, bullying can take many forms, each of which is damaging in its own way and can often overlap with one another. Here are five common types of bullying to be aware of and how to identify them. 1. Physical Bullying Physical bullying is what often comes to mind when we talk about bullying. It refers to physical harm. This includes hitting, kicking, pushing, or damaging someone's belongings. 2. Verbal Bullying Verbal bullying includes the use of hurtful words or language through teasing, name-calling, threatening, or making inappropriate comments. 3. Social/Relational Bullying Social or relational bullying involves someone's reputation or relationships, such as spreading rumors, encouraging social exclusion, or public humiliation. 4. Written Bullying This type of bullying uses written words to cause harm. This includes notes, graffiti and defamatory or hurtful comments in written materials. 5. Technological Bullying or Cyberbullying Technological or Cyberbullying involves using digital platforms to harass or intimidate, such as sending threatening messages, spreading false information online, or creating fake profiles to target someone. This is a form of bullying that can often be done anonymously. Why It’s Important to Recognize Different Types of Bullying Bullying is a complicated issue that doesn’t always look the way we might think. By understanding these common types of bullying, we can more adequately recognize and respond to bullying when it happens. Regardless of whether a student has been excluded from a group or sent a hurtful message online, every form of bullying makes a lasting impression. Being aware of how bullying happens and seeing the signs is the first step to handling it in the present and preventing it in the future. Want to learn more? Email us at curriculum@momentousinstitute.org or visit our Changemakers site to get started today. ### Stop, Speak, Get Help: A Bullying Prevention Lesson https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/stop-speak-get-help-a-bullying-prevention-lesson/ Bullying is a common concern among administrators, educators, families and students. When schools adopt a bullying prevention approach, they are better able to understand and manage bullying behavior. The Changemakers Guide to Bullying Prevention prevents a framework for a schoolwide approach, along with lessons for each elementary grade level. In this free download, you’ll find a modified version of one of the lessons: Stop, Speak, Get Help. The Stop, Speak, Get Help strategy is a structured approach for students to follow when they encounter difficult social situations, including bullying. Step One: STOP Students pause and think before reacting impulsively in a challenging or emotional situation. The step aims to engage the prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making and problem-solving) while calming the amygdala, which triggers fight, flight, or freeze responses during stress or conflict. STOP in Action When a student feels hurt or threatened, they STOP, take a deep breath and ground themselves so that they can focus on the present and avoid reacting out of anger or fear. Step Two: SPEAK Students use assertive communication to express their feelings and set boundaries. Speaking up in a respectful yet firm way helps students take control of the situation while advocating for themselves. SPEAK in Action After they pause and feel more calm, a student uses an “I statement”, such as “I feel upset when you tease me”, to express their emotions and establish boundaries. Step Three: GET HELP If speaking up doesn’t resolve the situation and the bullying or conflict continues, students get help. This step encourages students to seek support from a trusted adult, such as a teacher, school counselor or parent, to address the issue. GET HELP in Action If a students boundaries are ignored, they seek out a trusted adult for help knowing that the adult will listen and provide support. Download this free lesson plan to introduce the Stop, Speak, Get Help method to students. FREE DOWNLOAD Stop, Speak, Get Help Lesson Plan Download this free lesson plan today! Download Now Want to learn more? Email us at curriculum@momentousinstitute.org or visit our Changemakers Site to get started today. ### Build Your School’s Definition of Bullying: Free Download https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/build-your-schools-definition-of-bullying-free-download/ Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior where one person or a group harms or intimidates another person, often someone perceived as weaker or more vulnerable. While some examples of bullying may be clear, others may be a bit harder to identify. There is no one official definition of bullying, though many use much of the same general concepts, including: Intention: the harmful actions are deliberate, not accidental. Repetition: the behavior is repeated over time, not an isolated incident An imbalance of power: there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the two parties. This could be due to differences in physical strength, social status, access to information or other factors. Additionally, each state has a legal definition of bullying which schools are required to follow. Children and families may have their own views on what constitutes bullying. Each of these factors should be considered when building your school’s definition. A clear definition of bullying helps everyone get on the same page, accurately respond to reports, manage behavior, and create a bullying prevention plan. Use this free excerpt from Changemakers Guide to Bullying Prevention to help build your school’s approach to bullying. FREE DOWNLOAD Guide for Building Your School's Definition of Bullying Get started today! Download Now Want to learn more? Email us at curriculum@momentousinstitute.org or visit our Changemakers site to get started today. ### Tattling vs. Reporting: A Free Lesson Plan https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/tattling-vs-reporting-a-free-lesson-plan/ Anyone who has spent time with young children knows that tattling can be an annoyance. No, we don’t need you to tell us that Johnny is sitting in the wrong spot, that Jenna isn’t doing her work, or that Jamie has candy in his lunchbox. Adults spend a lot of time helping kids understand when to – and when not to – tell them about an incident. By the time children reach upper elementary school, they may have heard, “Don’t tattle” hundreds of times. However, it’s important that adults teach children that there are times when an adult should be notified. If we tell children not to tattle too many times, they may not know when to report something important. Reporting is not the same as tattling. Reporting is what we hope children will do when they witness something unsafe or the problem is something they can’t solve on their own. Reporting is an important component of bullying prevention. When students understand how to respond when they witness unsafe behavior, they create a safer classroom culture where bullying behaviors are stopped before they escalate. So how do we teach kids the difference between tattling and reporting? This free download is an excerpt from the Changemakers Guide to Bullying Prevention. It has been modified to fit any elementary classroom. Download the free lesson plan below. FREE DOWNLOAD Tattling vs. Reporting Lesson Plan Download this free lesson plan today! Download Now Want to learn more? Email us at curriculum@momentousinstitute.org or visit our Changemakers site to get started today. ### What You Need to Know about Bullying: Definition, Effects and Impact on Children https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/what-you-need-to-know-about-bullying-definition-effects-and-impact-on-children/ What is Bullying? Bullying involves aggressive, intentional behavior where an individual or group repeatedly causes harm or distress to another person—often someone who is perceived to be weaker or more vulnerable. The Core Components of Bullying To better understand and recognize bullying when it happens, it’s important to know the three defining characteristics of bullying. These components separate bullying from other conflicts or disagreements that might occur between students. They include: Intention: The action is deliberate and meant to harm, not accidental. Repetition: The behavior is repeated over time, not an isolated incident An imbalance of power: there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the two parties. This could be due to differences in physical strength, social status, access to information or other factors. For more information on how to define what bullying is, check out our resource on building your school’s definition of bullying. Effects of Bullying on Children Who Are Bullied Bullying can cause lasting harm to all parties involved. Many people who experienced bullying in childhood remember it as a difficult period of their life, often still recalling the impact it had on them many years later. For a person being bullied, bullying can lead to emotional distress, low self-esteem and academic problems. They can also experience anxiety and depression, and in some cases experience long-term psychological issues. In extreme cases bullying can lead to self-harm or suicidal ideation. Effects of Bullying on Children Who Bully Others While it is widely acknowledged that those who experience bullying will be negatively impacted, we don’t always talk about the effects bullying has on the student causing harm or the students who witness bullying behavior. Those who bully others are at a higher risk of engaging in delinquent behavior, substance use and violence later in life. Effects on Children Who Witness Bullying Students who witness bullying can experience fear and stress and become unable to trust that their school environment is safe. They may also develop feelings of guilt or helplessness if they do not intervene when they witness bullying behavior. Every child’s reaction to bullying will be different, depending on the child’s life experiences, temperament, support system and history. What we do know is that children who do not experience bullying have greater mental health and are better able to learn and thrive. [1] Bullying affects everyone. Whether your child is being bullied, witnessing the bullying, or engaging in bullying behavior, understanding how to identify it and recognizing the underlying causes is the first step toward preventing it in the future. [1] Klomeck, Anat Brunstein, Andre Sourander, and Henrik Elonheimo. “Bullying by peers in childhood and effects on psychopathology, suicidality, and criminality in adulthood.” The Lancet Psychiatry 2.10 (2015): 930-941. Want to learn more? Email us at curriculum@momentousinstitute.org or visit our Changemakers site to get started today. ### How to Recognize and Support a Child Who is Displaying Bullying Behavior https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-recognize-and-support-a-child-who-is-displaying-bullying-behavior/ If we want to prevent bullying in schools, we must not only help those who are being bullied, but also support students who are displaying bullying behavior. By working to understand the underlying causes of bullying, we can help these students become more connected, empathetic and kind individuals—thereby breaking the cycle of bullying behavior. Chase the Why to Form Connections All children desire connection and longing. Students who display bullying behavior are often seeking connection. One thing educators can do is help them understand safe ways to connect and teach them how to build better relationships with others. How to help: Approach these students with curiosity and offer them support. Assure them that you are a safe adult and that they can count on you. Then help them identify other safe relationships in their life so they know that they have people they can turn to and trust. Practice Impulse Control & Self-Regulation Learning how to stop harmful behavior in the moment can be difficult. This is especially true for students who may have limited impulse control. Helping students understand and practice stopping immediately is essential to building this skill. It’s not always easy, but impulse control and self-regulation are skills that can be cultivated. How to help: One way to practice this with the whole class is through games like red light, green light. Remember, when children can honor another child’s request to stop harmful behavior, it increases their ability to connect and form relationships with others. Label the Behavior, Not the Child When a child’s behavior has been reported, this child may be more likely to be frustrated or feel a sense of injustice. They may, in turn, engage in more harmful behavior as a response to the report. How to help: Make sure the child understands that what they did is different from who they are as a person. In other words, the child isn’t bad, but their behavior is harmful. This can be communicated by letting them know that their behavior is not safe, but that they are still valued and important. Build Self-Awareness and Empathy Students who bully may struggle to empathize with others and often don’t understand the impact of their actions. It is essential to work with these students on recognizing how their behavior impacts others and teach them how to respect boundaries while still expressing themselves effectively. How to help: Use role-playing or stories that help children recognize and practice empathy. Present different scenarios and ask questions about how they think someone might feel. How would they feel if the same thing happened to them? Promote Acts of Kindness Showing acts of kindness may not come naturally to some students. This isn’t because they’re unkind or less capable of kindness, but because they may not have been on the receiving end of kindness throughout their life. How to help: Provide these students with additional support. Work with them one-on-one to come up with kind words or actions and help them practice how they’ll implement them. Every child is capable of growth and change. With the right guidance, students who once displayed bullying behavior can become more compassionate, connected members of their school community. Want to learn more? Email us at curriculum@momentousinstitute.org or visit our Changemakers site to get started today. ### Momentous School Brainomics Case Study https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/momentous-school-brainomics-case-study/ Case Study Findings The Brainomics® team at Center for BrainHealth and the Momentous Institute research team explored the long-term benefits of teaching children about mental health and brain-based skills starting at age three. The study followed 73 alumni from Momentous School six years after high school graduation, revealing impressive outcomes compared to national low-income students: 97% of Momentous School alumni graduated high school (vs. 78% of their peers) 79% of Momentous School alumni pursued higher education (vs. 43% of their peers) 48% of Momentous School alumni earned a college degree (vs. 12% of their peers) Beyond academics, the group's lifetime earnings are projected to reach $157 million, delivering a remarkable return on investment of up to 24-to-1 compared to students from low-income schools. These projected student earnings are: 26% more than students from low-income schools in the U.S. 15% more than average-income students in the U.S. 9% more than students from high-income schools in the U.S. "Graduates of Momentous School are achieving far above expectations," explained Dr. Jessica Gomez, Executive Director and psychologist of Momentous Institute. "We know that academic success translates into significant economic impact, and the results show Momentous School Alumni are projected to earn 15% more than the national average students. This demonstrates that our model is successful because we focus on the whole person and integrate neuroscience with all aspects of mental health and wellbeing. No one regrets, or forgets, learning about how their brain works and how mental health is critical to overall health." Notably, the study shows that Momentous School's curriculum achieves these outcomes at a per-student cost comparable to the average cost of public education in Texas, proving that their educational model does not require a higher baseline investment to implement. Further, the school is deeply committed to each student's long-term success, investing in everything from daily essentials like nutritious meals to future opportunities such as college scholarships. On average, this comprehensive support adds up to an estimated $19,200 investment per student. "The numbers are quite extraordinary, confirming that investing early in brain health pays off and delivers both education and economic returns," said Dr. Andrew S. Nevin, inaugural director of the Brainomics Venture at Center for BrainHealth. "Our analysis shows that Momentous School alumni are not only more likely to graduate from high school and earn college degrees, but also to achieve higher lifetime earnings compared to their peers." The findings highlight the profound impact of incorporating mental health informed brain strategies into education at an early stage. By adopting a curriculum rooted in mental health and neuroscience, Momentous School is equipping students with the tools to achieve measurable, lifelong success. Report Methodology To understand the long-term economic implications of this kind of early investment in brain and mental health, the Brainomics and Momentous Institute team analyzed academic achievement six years after high school graduation for 73 alumni from Momentous School's 2016-2018 graduating cohorts. Researchers then projected their lifetime earnings and compared outcomes to three comparison groups1: Students from low-income schools in the U.S. (representing the likely alternative path for Momentous School alumni) Students from average-income schools Students from high-income schools in the U.S. ### Worried About the Cell Phone Ban in Schools? Here are 3 Ways Parents Can Cope with Anxiety https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/worried-about-the-cell-phone-ban-in-schools-here-are-3-ways-parents-can-cope-with-anxiety/ Many parents are feeling a wave of anxiety over the ban on cell phones in schools. This is understandable as cell phones offer us a sense of security that we can reach our children at any time. Losing that instant ability to connect can feel unsettling. But while we may feel uncertain about this new reality, we can also learn from it, adapting our communication habits and shifting our perspective to focus on the positive potential outcomes. If you’re feeling anxious about this transition, you’re not alone. Here are three ways to help ease your concerns and better prepare for a phone-free school year. 1. Address Concerns with Communication Let's start by naming what anxiety is. Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear about an unknown or potential event. Because it has to do with the unknown, it's not always based on reality. Without cell phones and the ability to instantly reach our children, how will we know they’re safe? The first step to easing these concerns is to become informed. Most schools already have long-standing emergency protocols in place, and they’ve been trained in them for years. Understanding the various policies and procedures around communicating with our children can help us feel more prepared and reassured. To make sure you’re in the know, consider the following: What information has the school sent out about communication in light of the cell phone ban? Review any letters, emails or other communication that have already been sent. Are the policies and procedures clear? If you still have questions, reach out to the school to learn how you’ll be notified in case of an emergency and whether the school has specific communication tools like newsletters, apps or an alert system. Is your contact information up to date? Check with the school to make sure they have the correct information so they can quickly reach you if needed. How will you communicate with the school in non-emergency situations? Request information about how students can contact parents during the school day and vice versa. Ask for a list of contacts and if they prefer to be reached by phone or email. Once all this information has been gathered, discuss it with your kids and make a plan together so they know how to reach you for any reason. This sudden change in how we communicate may feel jarring at first, but it’s also a chance to create more intentional communication habits. You might find that some of these habits even translate to how children and parents connect with each other at home. 2. Shift Your Perspective Shifting how we think about the way we communicate with our kids is just one of the potential outcomes of the cell phone ban. While there are many reasons to feel anxious, it’s helpful to focus on some of the potentially positive outcomes that could come from the ban as well. Try reframing the situation. The cell phone ban has the power to lead to better learning outcomes, social interactions and increased mental health. Whatever we shine a light on is what we’re going to see clearly. Talk to your kids about the cell phone ban and ask them questions: What could be some positive outcomes? Are there any positive effects that they are already seeing? How might the ban help them academically? What are the social implications? How might limiting cell phone use benefit their mental health? We know that the primary purpose of school is for children to learn. Allowing cell phones in the classroom has been shown to interfere with this learning. One benefit of the ban could be a decrease in distractions that lead to better focus. A phone-free environment could also encourage kids to have more face-to-face interactions with their peers, improving their social skills. The reduced screen time and exposure to things like social media, cyberbullying and comparison culture could also have a positive effect on students' overall mental health. 3. Practice Self-Care and Model Resilience Remember, children look to us to model behavior. If we focus on the positive aspects of the cell phone ban, it will help them approach the change more positively, too. Start with self-talk. Notice if the messages you’re giving yourself are rooted in reality or fear. When we pay attention to the way we talk to ourselves and understand where our anxiety is coming from, we can shift our perspective toward the things we can control, like staying informed, focusing on the positive outcomes and supporting our children through uncertainty. It can also be helpful to talk about our concerns. Connect with other parents, friends and family members who are going through the same thing. Find activities to participate in that help you relax and stay grounded. When we find ourselves focusing on what could go wrong, mindful breathing exercises can help manage anxiety. And if you’re still finding it hard to cope, consider reaching out to a mental health professional to help guide you through this new normal. While it may be challenging, we are capable of adapting and cultivating new skills. With the advent of cell phones and advances in technology, we learned how to communicate in a world that is constantly connected. Now we can also adapt to this new reality of sending our kids to school without their devices. Change is never easy, especially when it involves something as important as communicating with our children. But by staying informed, having a positive outlook and taking care of ourselves, we can ease our anxiety and better help our children through this transition. ### Download our Back-to-School Guide for Managing Expectatoins https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/download-our-back-to-school-guide-for-managing-expectatoins/ As you start the new year, take a moment to imagine the kind of classroom environment you hope to create for you and your students. How can you turn that vision into reality? One way to help get you there is by setting up clear expectations from the very beginning. Expectations are the set of guides for how students and teachers will show up in the classroom. Clear expectations set the stage for learning and healthy relationships throughout the year. Shared expectations, where both students and adults co-create the classroom norms, help create a sense of belonging in the classroom. Like all of us, students perform better when they clearly understand what’s expected of them. It also helps when they have a voice in shaping those expectations, as opposed to simply being given a set of guidelines to follow. When students help define the rules, they feel more invested in following them, and when they feel their voices are valued, they’re more likely to be engaged. Shared expectations also help reduce anxiety and uncertainty, making students feel safe and supported in the classroom. When everyone is clear about what their responsibilities are, it creates a stronger classroom community. That’s why we’ve put together a plan to help you co-create expectations with your students. In this lesson, you'll reflect on your best school experiences and use those insights to build a set of classroom expectations together. Download our Back-to-School guide to access this free lesson plan now and help everyone thrive in the classroom this year! ### Download our Back-to-School Guide for Establishing Routines and Procedures https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/download-our-back-to-school-guide-for-establishing-routines-and-procedures/ You know that fresh-start feeling at the beginning of the school year? Everything is new and full of promise—the supplies are sparkling, the room is arranged just right, and the students are wide-eyed and ready to learn. This is the time to set the stage for success. Every teacher knows that one of the best ways to maintain a calm and productive classroom setting is by establishing routines and procedures for students to follow throughout the year. Of course, these things don’t just happen. They need to be planned and implemented from the very beginning. And once you’ve introduced your routines, it’s important to practice, practice, practice! Repetition is key to building strong habits and helping both you and your students form lasting memory pathways in the brain. That said, figuring out which routines and procedures you’ll need throughout the year—and how to implement them—can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you think through everything you’ll need to get these systems in place now. Download our free Back-to-School guide and help start the year off right by setting up routines and procedures that support you and your students all year long! ### Download our Back-to-School Guide for https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/download-our-back-to-school-guide-for-transitions/ Picture this: you’ve just picked up your students from P.E. and are headed back to the classroom for math. As they walk through the hallway, full of physical energy and excitement, you’re hoping they’ll be able to enter a state of calm and be focused and engaged by the time they reach their desks. But you know, this is no small feat. This is just one of many transitions that you might be up against in a single day! Any educator knows that these transitions can be chaotic, time-consuming and stressful. But they don’t have to be. We have a plan to help you tackle these moments so that they don’t derail your day. Download our Back-to-School guide to make sure every transition runs smoothly. In this free guide, we’ve created a simple, practical template to help you map out the many transitions your students experience—from one activity, subject or learning space to the next. It's designed to help you think ahead, be consistent and make the classroom a place where learning can thrive. Click the download button to access the guide and start planning your transitions today! ### Four Spaces to Include in Your SEL-Informed Classroom https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/four-spaces-to-include-in-your-sel-informed-classroom/ As you head back into the classroom this school year, now’s the time to think about how the environment you create can help support social emotional learning. A thoughtful classroom set up creates a sense of belonging, connection and independence for students. To get you started, we’ve highlighted four essential spaces that every SEL classroom should include—plus, specific examples from our own classrooms at Momentous School. Take a look! A Large Group Space This is an area where the whole class can come together for community-building activities like morning circle, breathing exercises and mindful warmups. Typically marked by a large rug near the whiteboard or smartboard, each student should have a designated seat that is clearly identified. You can do this by using built-in markers from the rug—like the smiley faces or colorful squares found on the rugs in some of our classrooms—or by providing carpet squares or cushioned mats. Teachers should also have a spot within the circle to show they are part of the group. In practice, this space could serve as a spot to begin and end the day or be used as a place to transition students to the next class activity. Spaces for Collaboration Collaborative spaces are designed for students to work together in smaller groups, encouraging peer learning and teamwork. These areas might include the classroom library, writing stations and hands-on exploration corners. For example, a low table offers flexible seating and a place to collaborate. A couch in the corner creates a cozy area to serve as a space for collaborative reading and discussion. Be sure to keep these areas fully stocked or set up routines so students are prepared with the materials they need before gathering in this space. An Independent Work Space This is a place where students can focus quietly and work at their own pace. Think of these as distraction-free spots, such as a desk or chair in a quiet corner. These areas should never be used for discipline but instead allow students to choose the environment that supports their learning. Independent work space could also include a designated spot with each student's name on it, a cubby or a desk basket for their individual materials. This helps give them a feeling of ownership in the shared classroom environment, creating autonomy and a sense of belonging. A Calm Down Space A calm down space supports emotional regulation by offering a setting where students can process their feelings. This is sometimes called a Safe Space or Brain Space. Whatever you call it, this area could include things like a beanbag, pillows, blankets and something soft to cuddle like a collection of Squishmallows. You could also include a sign with a calming slogan or mantra, a calm down box or basket, and soft, yellow lighting. A calm down space is essential for helping children recognize, name and manage their emotions, turning behavioral challenges into opportunities for self-regulation. Every classroom needs spaces that meet the emotional and developmental needs of students. By incorporating areas for whole-group learning, small collaboration, independent work and emotional regulation, you can foster an environment where students feel safe, supported and empowered. We hope this list has given you some ideas of how to create meaningful spaces in your own classroom this year! Download our Back-to-School guide to learn more about how to set up your classroom today. ### A Mental Health Approach to School Safety https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/a-mental-health-approach-to-school-safety/ The urgency to keep children safe at school has never been greater. Metal detectors, locked doors, armed officers, and lockdown drills have become the norm at campuses around the country. But as schools comply with physical safety protocols, a question remains: at what emotional cost? These safety measures, while critically important, can cause stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns for some students and adults. A 2024 study showed that active shooter drills in schools are associated with increases in depression (39%), stress and anxiety (42%), and physiological health problems (23%) overall, including children from as young as five years old up to high schoolers, their parents, and teachers. While we can’t, and shouldn’t, remove school safety measures, we can ensure that students feel safe at school – both physically and emotionally. This is where a mental health approach comes in. Download this simple sheet to learn simple strategies to support student and adult mental health, before, during and after a drill or event. When we create a sense of emotional safety, we also ensure the physical safety of all involved. ### Download our Back-to-School Guide https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/download-our-back-to-school-guide/ We know heading back to school can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. To help you get started, we’ve put together a guide with all the tools you’ll need to create a mental health-informed classroom. This free guide offers valuable tips on setting up your classroom with social emotional learning in mind, establishing helpful routines and procedures, managing transitions effectively and co-creating clear expectations with your students. Help set both you and your students up for success this school year by downloading our Back-to-School guide today! ### How I Reset my Mornings for Success at the Beginning of the Year https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-i-reset-my-mornings-for-success-at-the-beginning-of-the-year/ As an educator, it was important for me to use my breaks to relax and renew my mind for the upcoming year. However, I noticed that it was often difficult to transition back to the more structured schedule of the school year. After some time in the classroom, I discovered that I needed to create routines to help support my own wellbeing. I found that if I took some time to plan out my morning and evening schedules, I could build a routine to support my mental health. This was especially important after becoming a mom. The practice below helped me to identify when I had time for myself and when to be with my family. I now do this every August and January to reset my goals for the new semester. About a week before the new year begins, I set aside an hour or two to be alone. I know, I know, that can be hard to do! I call on family or friends to watch my daughter for that time so I can prioritize myself. I often go to a coffee shop because it is away from my house and all the distractions that are constantly calling my name. I tend to need the right ambience to start a task, so I make sure to have a journal and colorful pens as well as headphones with music to help me focus. Of course, I also make sure to have a signature coffee or tea to set the mood. These are the steps I take to set myself up for a strong start. 1. Create a list of typical tasks each morning: Coffee Stretch Exercise for 30 min Shower Get dressed and put on make-up Make lunches Eat breakfast 2. Write down the following questions: What slows me down or distracts me from what is important? What do I want to add, remove or change to support my wellbeing? What will make my mornings easier? 3. Then, just sit. Stare into space, drink coffee, listen to music, and consider the questions. I write down anything that pops up, even if it doesn’t quite answer the question. Here are some of my own responses: What slows me down or distracts me from what is important? Scrolling on my phone Dishes Making lunches Deciding what to eat for breakfast What do I want to add, remove or change to support my wellbeing? Add a mindfulness practice: deep breathing, meditation app, yoga, journal Stop scrolling on my phone when I wake up Pre-plan lunch and/or breakfast What will make my mornings easier? Use an app for mindful practice, includes a timer and tracker for motivation Leave my phone on the charger until after getting dressed Wake up 10 minutes earlier Go to bed 10 minutes earlier - Set an evening timer Make a grab and go breakfast on Sundays Automate a timer to go off for reminders - 10 min before leaving, bedtime 4. Decide what can reasonably be done to make this work. Don’t try to tackle it all at once. Write a routine down with time stamps and try it out for a week, then adjust as needed. For example: 5:00-5:15 - Wake up, drink water, restroom, and make coffee 5:15-5:45 - Exercise (video/walk/bike/strength) 5:45-5:55 - Stretch + Mindful Breathing (use timer on app) 5:55-6:20 - Shower and Get Dressed 6:20-6:25 - Wake up family 6:25-6:45 - Hair, Makeup, Check in on family 6:45-7:00 - Eat or pack breakfast, Gather bags 7:00- 7:04 - Walk out the door Please remember, this is just an example of how I prioritized my time in the morning with my family and my specific schedule. You may find that you would like to add some steps to your evening routine rather than the morning routine. Make this your own and remember, routines will change as our lives change. The two most important tips are: Start small: Choose one or two reasonable things to change. Give yourself grace: If it doesn’t work, that’s okay! That happens to everyone. You can decide to try again or pivot to a different goal or plan of action. When I first began this practice, I prioritized two things: two minutes of deep breathing or mindful practice and 30 minutes of exercise daily. Over the years, my routine has changed each time I sit down to do this because my life and family needs are constantly changing. When you reset your routine, make it fit your needs and decide what will support your wellbeing the most right now. For tips on mental health strategies to include in your day, check out this article or download our free guide with a morning routine template. Brianna Sanford is a former teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal with 20 years of experience in schools. She continues her work in education at Momentous Institute by sharing evidence-based strategies that promote mental health for all. ### Mental Health for Teachers…What’s that? https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/mental-health-for-teachers-whats-that/ It’s that time again. You just finished the school year, you’re barely getting used to sleeping in, and as you walk through the store for groceries, you see it: the back-to-school section. You feel a flutter in your chest. Is that excitement? Or anxiety? Maybe it’s a bit of both? These feelings are normal for all educators. Summer is the perfect time to listen to your body and support your own mental health. Establishing healthy mental health habits in summer sets you up to continue them as you head back to school in the fall. Mental health is described as a state of wellbeing in which we can cope with stressors, work towards goals and contribute to our community. Below are a few easy strategies you can do to support your own wellbeing as you enjoy the last few weeks of summer break. Acknowledge the Feelings without Judgment Those flutters you may have had in the back-to-school aisle are your body’s signal to you. Take a moment to focus on that feeling. What is it? Acknowledge it. You can even journal about what you feel. When we name our feelings, we begin to understand our body’s reactions to certain situations. If these feelings arise again, take a breath and notice them. Feelings come and go. We can learn from them if we take a moment to we listen to our body. Create a Mental Health Routine Remember, mental health means we can cope with stressors and work towards a goal. A few key factors for mental wellbeing are sleep, nutrition, movement and social connection. Aim for goals such as: Getting a good night’s sleep Staying hydrated Eating well-balanced meals Moving your body Having positive social interactions Start small! You don’t have to accomplish all of these things at once. Select just one area to focus on between now and the beginning of the school year. Do you want to prioritize sleep? Nutrition? Movement? Social connection? Something else that can positively impact your mental health? Now, set one goal and write it down. For example: Set a reasonable bedtime for one week Read a book instead of look at screens for one hour before bed every day for one week Set a goal for how much water to drink in a day Make a meal plan for dinners for one week Prep a healthy breakfast the night before Go for a 20-minute walk every morning for a week Join a workout class Schedule at least one social interaction with a friend or family member How will you set up a routine to help you stay consistent with your goal? Who or what can help support you? (Friends, accountability partners, reminders, apps, etc.) A well-planned goal might look like this: “I will aim to sleep at least seven hours each night this week. To do that, I will set a timer for 30 minutes before I need to get to bed each night. I will turn the tv off and dim the lights to prepare myself for sleep.” Be Kind to Yourself If you miss a day or lose sight of the goal, give yourself grace. You’re human. We all do this. You can always pick it up again or choose a different strategy to move forward. Don’t give up! Looking for a template? We got you! Our free back-to-school guide includes a morning routine for educators worksheet so you can get started today. Free Download Mental Health Toolkit Download Now Sub title goes here Your title goes here Link text Sub title goes here Your title goes here Link text ### Flood https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/for-those-affected-by-floods-in-the-texas-hill-country/ What is Grief? Grief is more than just sadness. It's the natural response to losing something of value. It's a complex emotional response to loss that can affect us in many different ways. This resource offers a clear, compassionate explanation of what grief looks like and how it can show up differently for each person. Learn more What is Mourning? While grief is the internal experience of loss, mourning is the task of processing grief. In other words, grief is what we feel when we lose something. Mourning is the work we do to come out on the other side of the pain. Mourning is a task. It requires work. And it does not happen on its own. This resource explores how mourning helps us process loss. Learn more Working Through the Four Tasks of Mourning Mourning is an active process and task of working through grief. But how do we mourn? And what does this process entail? This resource outlines four essential tasks in the mourning process: accepting the loss, experiencing the pain, adjusting to a new reality, and finding ways to carry the memory forward. Learn more How Parents Can Manage Anxiety and Helplessness After a Tragedy Any tragedy involving children causes significant emotional distress, and parents often feel an even greater weight. When tragedy strikes, parents are reminded of a harsh reality – that they can’t always protect their children from harm. This can often lead to anxiety and worry, leaving parents afraid to let their children out of their sight. It can also lead to a sense of helplessness. This resource offers a few ways to manage this anxiety in the face of tragedy. Learn more How to Talk to Kids About Natural Disasters Natural disasters can be frightening for children, even if they weren’t directly impacted. Seeing other kids hurt or displaced—whether in person, on the news, or online—can make the event feel personal and distressing. This resource offers guidance on how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations that help kids feel safe, supported, and reassured in uncertain times. Learn more Understanding and Coping with Collective Grief When tragedy strikes on a large scale, it’s common to feel a deep, aching sadness, even if we’re not personally involved. This emotional response is known as collective grief, a shared sense of mourning that arises when communities or entire societies experience loss together. It is a reflection of our humanity, our capacity to care, and our instinct to connect in the face of sorrow. This resource aims to break down the concept of collective grief and help us navigate these painful moments with compassion. Learn more ### Understanding and Coping with Collective Grief https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/collective-grief/ When the world experiences a tragedy, through natural disasters, war, illness or loss of a public figure, it’s natural to feel sad, anxious or overwhelmed. This feeling is what psychologists refer to as collective grief. This type of emotional response is often felt during a shared loss or trauma. This can happen even if we aren’t directly affected and don’t personally know anyone involved in the event. In times of collective grief, people come together because we are all mourning the same loss. Collective grief can show up in our lives through a range of symptoms. We may feel emotionally drained, helpless, or overwhelmed by what is happening. When we’re experiencing symptoms of collective grief, we can take steps to care for ourselves and others. Consider these steps to working through grief. Notice and Name it Acknowledging what we are feeling is a good first step toward coping with collective grief. We may benefit from sharing what we’re experiencing with trusted friends and family members. Noticing what we are feeling, naming it, and saying it out loud or writing in a journal can help us understand and manage what we are going through. Practice self-care It’s important to take care of ourselves during these times of increased stress. There are many small ways to practice self-care in these moments. This can mean something as simple as going for a short walk, spending five minutes in nature, doing a short meditation or listening to a favorite song. Even micro moments of regulation can help. Exercise Compassion for Others We can practice compassion for others who are suffering by donating funds, supplies or time to local relief efforts. We can also share words of support and compassion with those who are directly impacted. Reaching out to others can foster a sense of connection and hope during these hard times. If you’re feeling the weight of collective grief, remember that this is part of being human. It shows that you care. Periods of collective grief connect us to our common humanity and remind us of what is important. Taking action by turning our grief into compassion can help us begin to cope after a tragedy. ### What is Grief? https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/what-is-grief/ During hard times, many of us experience a wide range of emotions – sadness, fear, disappointment, anger, pain, anxiety or numbness. But often underneath these emotions there is something more difficult to name and understand: grief. Grief is the natural response to losing something of value. Most of us think of grief as death of a loved one, but it can also come from loss of a job, the end of a relationship, the loss of safety or security after a frightening incident, or the loss that accompanies major life changes. When we lose something valuable (either tangible or intangible), our bodies and behaviors respond naturally. For some, our bodies respond to grief by becoming numb or detached from the world. Some of us respond to grief by keeping busier than usual, working around the clock to avoid feeling what’s happening in the body. Others cope with humor. For many, grief can manifest in the body as poor concentration, poor sleeping habits, a non-existent diet, or a desire to not do anything pleasurable at all. We do not tell our bodies to grieve. This process happens naturally as a response to loss. This is why the first step to managing grief is to acknowledge it. Grief is often accompanied by a range of emotions, including sadness, numbness, anger, confusion or anxiety. There are no right or wrong emotions when it comes to grief, but it is important to notice the accompanying emotions and allow ourselves to feel them in order to heal. After you’ve acknowledged the grief, you can begin the process of mourning, which is the task of processing through the grief. For more on mourning, click here. ### What is Mourning? https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/what-is-mourning/ This is part two on understanding grief and mourning. To read the first post, click here. Grief is the natural response to losing something of value. Mourning is the task of processing grief. In other words – grief is what we feel when we lose something. Mourning is the work we do to come out on the other side of the pain. Mourning is a task. It requires work. And it does not happen on its own. The goal of mourning is not to “get over” grief. The goal of mourning is to process grief and arrive in a place of understanding, to accept that grief is a part of your story and write a new future, one that embraces your new reality while still maintaining a connection to what was lost. When bad things happen, there’s no re-writing the story. The pain and loss is real and won’t go away on its own. The process of mourning is to acknowledge the pain and adjust to life after the loss in a new way. Think of a rocket ship being launched into outer space. Standing on Earth, you see the rocket shrink smaller and smaller until it disappears into darkness. This is the grief. The pain of grief can feel almost unbearable at times, and in many cases, it feels as though you’re propelling rapidly into dark, unfamiliar territory. This journey is necessary. These emotions – often intense – are part of the process. Feeling them, rather than diminishing them or trying to escape them, takes courage. And yet, we can’t stop there. We can’t allow ourselves to get stuck on this one-way rocket away from Earth. Through a healthy mourning process, we can stay on that rocket as it continues its path through the darkness and eventually emerges back into view, coming back to Earth until it is planted firmly on the ground. The world may never look the same again to someone who has left Earth’s atmosphere and seen it from another viewpoint, and the world may never look the same again after the pain of loss. But if we allow ourselves to feel the sadness and mourn what was lost, we too can once again stand on solid footing as we walk into the next, new chapter of our lives. Learn more about the four tasks of mourning here. ### Working Through the Four Tasks of Mourning https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/working-through-the-four-tasks-of-mourning/ Mourning is an active process and task of working through grief. But how do we mourn? And what does this process entail? Psychologist J. William Worden provided a framework for the four tasks of mourning in the book Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy. They include: 1. Accept the reality of the loss An important component of mourning is acknowledging the loss. Sometimes this comes naturally, such as with the death of a loved on. In other cases, such as the loss of a sense of peace after a violating incident, grief may not be the first thing that comes to mind. It may take additional emotional processing to recognize that grief is an underlying presence. 2. Process the grief and pain In order to properly mourn, a person must take the time to move through the pain. Depending on the type and circumstances of the loss, this may mean days, months or longer of difficult emotions and tears. In this step of the journey, it’s important to process these emotions in a healthy way, whether that means journaling, talking with a trusted friend, colleague, faith leader or mentor, or seeking professional help through a mental health professional. 3. Adjust to life after the loss Life after loss can sometimes feel impossible. But one of the tasks of mourning is finding out how to keep moving. Part of this process involves identifying what you miss about the “before” and figuring out how to fill that void in a healthy and constructive way. 4. Maintain a connection while embracing the new Ultimately, someone who has worked through the tasks of mourning will be able to maintain a connection to what was lost and also embrace the new. This task is the act of finding out what you want to keep alive from the loss, and in what ways you want to move forward into this new territory. These tasks are not necessarily linear, and someone may move from one to another and back to the first one. There is also not a set timeline for this process. Each person manages their grief in a different way, based on their personality, the nature of the grief, their life circumstances and their own experiences. During times of grief and mourning, it can be natural to think, “Something bad happened, and it will happen again.” This is the root of hopelessness, the idea that bad things can and will happen. But the antidote to this is to remember that the opposite is true as well. It is helpful to remind ourselves that “something good has happened and will happen again.” Focusing on what has worked can help us regain a sense of hope, even after significant loss. ### How Parents Can Manage Anxiety After a Tragedy https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-parents-can-manage-anxiety-after-a-tragedy/ Any tragedy involving children causes significant emotional distress, and parents often feel an even greater weight. When tragedy strikes, parents are reminded of a harsh reality – that they can’t always protect their children from harm. This can often lead to anxiety and worry, leaving parents afraid to let their children out of their sight. It can also lead to a sense of helplessness. Here are a few ways to manage this anxiety in the face of tragedy. Make Room for Grief It is important to acknowledge the grief that accompanies a tragedy, even if parents are fortunate to not have been directly impacted. The feelings that come with seeing other children suffer are real and painful and offer a stark reminder that there is much beyond a parent’s control. When these feelings aren’t addressed, they can build up until they accidentally explode. Instead, it’s important that parents acknowledge their feelings, express them through crying, journaling, talking with friends or seeing a mental health professional. Identify a Support Network Connecting with others is one of the most important ways to navigate difficult situations. Parents can identify others who can listen to their worries without judgement. This may be other parents, friends, family members, faith leaders or community members. While it can be helpful to talk about emotions with children, it’s important for adults to process deep, complex emotions with other adults to avoid placing this burden on children. Take a Step Back Parenting in the best of times is a lot of work. Many parents are at nearly full capacity all the time. During a time of stress, it doesn’t take much for the load to overflow. Managing this period may require parents to temporarily step back from certain obligations in order to function. They may skip a child’s practice, heat up leftovers or order groceries online just to make it through. Parents can identify how to reduce the load for a few days or weeks, until they have the capacity to handle it again. Find Micro Moments of Regulation In moments of extreme stress, regulating the brain and body is no small feat. While a person may typically engage in an hour-long yoga class or meditate throughout the day, during a time of stress, micro moments of regulation may be more realistic, and more important. Parents can find tiny acts of regulation, such as stepping out in the sun, listening to a soothing song, engaging in a 30-second breathing exercise or taking a short walk. These tiny moments can help the brain and body return to a state of calm as it manages the ongoing stress. Check in On the Nervous System In addition to small moments of regulation, it’s helpful to check in on the nervous system throughout the day. This is an internal check. Parents can ask: What am I feeling right now? What is one thing I need? These small proactive moments can prevent emotional buildup and allow parents to care for themselves in small ways throughout the day. Prioritize Gratitude When something big happens, it can be helpful to spend a week or two focusing on gratitude. At the end of the day, parents can name three good things that happened that day for themselves. They can then extend it to their families, which helps everyone remember that good things are still happening, and create a sense of safety. Say “Right Now” When a person feels helpless, it can create a spiral where they begin to feel they don’t have any control. It can be helpful to use the phrase “right now”. For example, “Right now, my children are safe.” Or “Right now, we have what we need.” This simple shift in language can help the brain regain a sense of safety and control. Ultimately, there is no shortcut through the emotional grief of a senseless tragedy. When parents take the time to process their emotions, they’re better able to show up for themselves and their children from a regulated state, rather than out of fear or anxiety. ### How to Talk to Kids About Natural Disasters https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-natural-disasters/ How to Talk to Kids About Natural Disasters Natural disasters can be terrifying for children and families. They are often unexpected, unpredictable, and difficult to control, leaving behind not only physical destruction, but emotional distress as well. The impact can feel even more intense for children when they see that other children have been hurt, displaced, or affected. Seeing peers in distress can make the situation feel more real and personal. Children may begin to wonder, “What if that happened to me?” Even if a child wasn’t directly involved, they can still be deeply affected by the event. Images on the news or social media, especially those showing other kids, can stay in their minds. Children also hear about these events from friends, siblings, or online. It is important not to assume a child is unaffected just because they weren’t there. Here are a few ways you can support a child who has experienced or heard about a natural disaster: Regulate Yourself First During and after a natural disaster, we will often experience a range of emotions, such as grief, anger, sadness, relief, heartbreak and more. This is normal. Before talking with a child, try to regulate your own emotions as best you can. Children look to adults to understand how they should respond. This doesn't mean that we can’t show emotion, but it's important that the child feels comforted and supported by the adult. It means showing up in a way that helps the child feel supported and safe. Take a deep breath. Find a comfortable place to sit. Consider holding something in your hands and plant your feet firmly on the floor to physically ground yourself. These things may seem trivial but focusing on your own physical regulation will set you up for a more regulated conversation. Check for Feelings Ask the child how they are feeling and not make assumptions. They may feel sad, scared, angry, relieved, grateful, terrified, or a combination of emotions. They may also say they feel fine. Whatever their response, it is important to validate it. The best response to their feelings is simply validation, such as "I understand why you feel that way. I would feel the same." Some children may say they are okay or not respond at all. That is perfectly normal. Not every child is ready to talk about their feelings right away. You might say, “You might have some questions or emotions later. I’m here to talk about it at any time." Share Honest and Age Appropriate Details When starting the conversation, stick with simple facts, avoiding graphic details that can upset children, especially visual learners. Let their age and curiosity guide how much you share. A 6-year-old needs a different approach than a 16-year-old. Keep answers honest but brief, and trust your instincts to know when to pause or go deeper. Reassure Their Safety After something scary happens, many children worry about whether they are still safe. You can reassure them by reminding them of all the ways adults work to protect them at home, in school, and in the community. Even though no one can guarantee that bad things will never happen, it helps to talk about what safety plans are in place and what went well during the event. If a child experiences significant emotional distress, consider seeking the support of a mental health professional. Look for signs such as changes in mood or behavior, diet, sleep patterns, hygiene or appearance, focus or emotional stability. If you recognize any of these changes, reach out to a licensed professional or contact Momentous Institute for additional resources and support. ### Try This for Your Next School Movie Night https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/try-this-for-your-next-school-movie-night/ School movie nights are easy, free, and fun ways to bring the school community together. And we have an idea that can take your school movie night to the next level! Try this: Step One Pick the movie Inside Out 2. It’s full of important lessons about the role of emotions, the way our emotions change over time, and what it’s like when our emotions take over. It lends itself to amazing conversations with kids. Step Two Set up a craft station. Gather pipe cleaners in a variety of colors that align to the emotions in the movie: Red for Anger Orange for Anxiety Yellow for Joy Green for Disgust Blue for Sadness Indigo for Ennui Teal for Envy Purple for Fear Pink for Embarrassment You can narrow these down to the top 5-6 but try to include a mix of emotions that kids will most likely relate to. (We recommend keeping joy, embarrassment, sadness and anxiety!) Make small signs with the name and picture of the character. (You can find downloads online or make your own.) Place the pipe cleaner for each color in front of the corresponding sign. Step Three Encourage students and families to select a color (or more than one) that represents how they feel now, or an emotion they have had in the past. They select the pipe cleaner(s) and twist the ends into a bracelet. Step Four Engage in conversation! Here are a few things you can discuss as students make their bracelets. What are you feeling now? What is your body telling you? When have you experienced that emotion? How did you know that’s what you were feeling? I see you have two colors on your bracelet. It’s true that you can feel more than one emotion at a time! What did that feel like for you? How do you help yourself when you have a big feeling? What did you do when you felt ____ ? That’s it! We love this simple activity that is a big hit with kids and encourages healthy important conversation about emotions. Give it a shot and let us know how it goes at your school! ### How to Support Teen Mental Health – Before Any Signs of Struggle https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-support-teen-mental-health-before-any-signs-of-struggle/ The teen years are marked by significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes including moods and behavior, sleep patterns, changing interests and more. Understanding the markers of adolescence helps us work with teens in a proactive and productive way, setting them up for strong mental health as they enter adulthood. Here are a few factors affecting teens. Hormones and Chemicals in the Brain Dopamine is a feel-good neurotransmitter that is released when we engage in pleasurable activities. In the adolescent brain, the baseline level of dopamine is lower than in childhood and adulthood but the dopamine release is higher when engaged in a pleasurable or exciting activity. The Changing Body The body of an adolescent undergoes significant changes as it enters puberty including hair growth, breast development, voice changes, menstruation, growth spurts, body odor and acne. It also comes with emotional changes including mood swings, silence and/or emotional intensity. The Search for Novelty Teens often search for new and exciting experiences. They may begin to engage in activities with a lot of passion. They may also seek out risky activities, even when they logically understand the pros and cons of a situation. Important Social Relationships Adolescence is a transitional time when teens begin to rely less on adults and lean more into peer relationships. These relationships can be deep and meaningful as they find others who relate to their life stage and experiences but can often be challenging when they don’t have adult insight or support. Mood Swings and Emotional Intensity During adolescence, the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain, is developing rapidly while the prefrontal cortex, the logic and reasoning part of the brain, is still under construction. This can leave teens with high emotional intensity and mood swings that shift by the minute. Changes in Sleep Gone are the early bedtimes and early morning wakeups of childhood. Teens are notorious for late nights and sleeping all day on the weekends. Access to Technology Teens today have almost limitless access to technology. This comes with social interactions, through social media, video games, messaging apps and more. Many teens use technology as their primary source of communication and entertainment. So what can we do with this information? Consider these few tips. Find Healthy Sources of Dopamine Because teens seek novelty and reward, adults can respond with healthy options that will increase their dopamine levels in a safe and constructive way, such as: · Physical movement, sports and exercise · New activities, experiences or places · Acts of service · One-on-one attention from a safe adult · Creative activities, art, music or expression Encourage Healthy Sleep Habits Most teens need 8-10 hours of sleep per night to keep their brain and body healthy. Help support this by creating healthy sleep habits, such as: · Keep screens out of the bedroom · Manage the workload · Get exposure to natural light · Get plenty of exercise Foster In-Person Relationships While many teens have relationships with peers through technology, it’s also important to foster in-person communication. Encourage them to take relationships from digital to face-to-face by meeting up with a friend, joining a club or visiting a public space. We don’t need to wait for a problem before supporting teens with their mental health. There are things we can do proactively to help them practice and learn to manage their own mental health. These skills will serve them throughout their whole life as they continue to experience new joys and challenges into adulthood. FREE DOWNLOAD Teen Mental Health Toolkit Download Now ### How to Know if a Teen is Struggling https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-know-if-a-teen-is-struggling/ Teens experience an incredible amount of growth and development in a short period of time. This can leave adults – and teens – scratching their heads. It’s hard to know what is normal and what might be an issue. To support teen mental health, there are many practices we can take proactively to support teens. But there may still be times when a child needs additional support. Here are a few things to look for. Changes in Mood or Behavior Mood swings are normal – but a significant increase in irritability, anger or sadness is not. If mood or behavior changes are constant and don’t return to a baseline level, it may be time for additional support. Withdrawal Isolation and loneliness is a significant concern for young people. If a teen begins to withdraw from social situations, friends, family or activities they used to enjoy, they may be struggling with their mental health. Changes in Sleep or Nutrition Sleep naturally changes as kids age, but pay attention if a teen is experiencing insomnia, sleep walking, oversleeping to the point that it is interfering with activities, or waking frequently. Nutrition may also raise warning flags if a child’s diet changes dramatically and they either eat significantly less or more than their normal diet. Decline in Hygiene or Appearance Occasional neglect of personal hygiene can be normal, but a serious change in hygiene practices or personal appearance may be a warning sign. Consistent neglect may include not participating in hygiene tasks such as teeth brushing, showering, or hair maintenance. Appearance can also include clothes, such as if a teen changes the style or the fit of their clothing dramatically in a short period of time. Increased Risk Taking Risk taking is a normal part of adolescence, but it can be dangerous when not done in a productive or safe environment. Increasingly dangerous behaviors such as substance use, unsafe sexual activity, self harm or sneaking out of the house may be indicators of mental health struggles. Changes in Academics For some teens, the first sign of struggle is a change in grades or school performance. It’s important to notice if a child loses interest in subjects they once cared about, seem to struggle with tasks that were once easy, have a negative opinion of all or many teachers, or show an overall decline in grades or performance. Some kids may even begin to avoid school, skip classes, arrive late or have truancy issues. Other Signs Some teens will be open about challenges they may experience that are harder to spot from the outside. This can include things like persistent anxiety, intrusive thoughts, obsession or hyper fixation, worry or fear. What to Do If you notice these signs in a teen, it’s important to take action and seek help. Here are a few resources. If you are concerned that a child may have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, it is important to get help immediately. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a 24-hour free resource that can be accessed by calling or texting 988. Start a Conversation with the Child Let the child know that you’ve noticed behavior changes and that you’re there to support them. Start with validation before attempting to fix the issue. This might sound like, “It makes sense that you’re overwhelmed/angry/frustrated.” Then, you can share what you’ve noticed without judgement or criticism. This might sound like, “I see you’ve started dressing differently.” Or “Your math teacher called me to talk about your grades. Is there anything going on that you want to talk about?” Be available for them to talk with you but prepared that they may not want to right away. Support Healthy Habits Teens’ bodies and brains are rapidly changing and it’s important to care for them to support overall mental health. This means daily exercise or movement, a good night’s sleep, and a nutritious diet, which all support their current mental health and help them build healthy habits for the future. Get Additional Support Mental health care is health care. Most adults know the importance of taking children to the pediatrician for checkups and specialists for other medical needs. Mental health is no different. Teens may need the support of a licensed mental health professional to help them navigate this period of life. For more on getting a mental health diagnosis for kids, read this four-part series. Care for your own Mental Health Caretaking for children is no small task even under the best of circumstances. When a child is struggling, the adults in their life also struggle. Remember to care for your own mental health by caring for your brain and body and getting additional support as needed. How to Find the Right Therapist For You Learn more Want to further support teen mental health? Download our free mental health toolkit and get started today. FREE DOWNLOAD Teen Mental Health Toolkit Download Now ### Help! My Teen Won’t Talk to Me. Should I Be Worried? https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/help-my-teen-wont-talk-to-me-should-i-be-worried/ The teen years are a beautiful and challenging period of life as young people begin to establish their own identity, explore relationships and question their values and beliefs. This period of adolescence is formative and important, but it can also come with a few bumps in the road. If you have a teen in your life, you may have noticed one of the biggest milestones of adolescence: leaving behind childhood (and adults) and stepping into adulthood (and peer relationships). As kids develop into teenagers, they begin to lean more into their peer relationships and away from family and other adult relationships. While this is developmentally appropriate, it doesn’t make it any easier. It can be challenging for parents when their precious children shed some of their childhood qualities and step into their new, evolving identities – especially when part of that process means wanting nothing to do with their parents. If you’re experiencing a teen who doesn’t seem interested in anything you have to say, consider these tips. Pause and Reflect Take a moment to think about your own teen years. Who did you feel safe and comfortable around? Where did you feel you could best express yourself? How did you view adults and their behavior? Reflecting on our own teen years helps us remember how tumultuous this period of life can be, and reminds us that it’s perfectly normal to shift our focus from adults to peers. This doesn’t mean we should stop trying to connect, but it allows us to have more empathy for teens as they navigate this complex age. Start with Empathy Teenagers are navigating relationships and social pressures with changing bodies, an overactive amygdala, an increase in pleasure hormones, and an under-developed prefrontal cortex. With all that going on… mood swings, annoyance or irritability with parents may be less about the parents and more about any number of those other factors. When interacting with teens, it’s important to remember that their development can be exciting but also comes with a flurry of emotions. Consider Yourself a Stable Home Base In our earliest years of life, our community consists of those in our immediate surroundings such as family and close family friends. As we age, we interact with wider groups and our communities expand. As teens begin to experience greater levels of independence, their communities grow and may include people such as classmates, teammates, teachers, coaches and more. By adolescence, the community of influence becomes much broader and includes awareness of public figures and state, national, and world issues. Social media enhances this awareness. Teens today have access to many more individuals who influence their thinking than teens of generations past. As this field of influence grows, it’s doesn’t make families less important. In fact, it makes them even more important. What teenagers need from parents is a stable home base. With all the changes in their world, a stable, consistent, safe adult who loves them is the most important thing you can provide for them. As they go out and explore the world, having a stable base to come back to gives them the chance to safely navigate the complexity of the teenage years. Be Physically Present Teens often don’t interact with adults they way they did just a few years earlier. If you’re missing the lengthy recaps of the day you got from a third grader, you may be wondering why your teen won’t talk to you anymore. This is normal. Teens may want more privacy and may be less chatty than younger children. But when adults are physically present, they can often spend valuable quality time with their teens. This means being in the same room, off devices and away from distractions. If a child is playing video games, ask them to demonstrate how they work. If they’re making videos on their phone, have them show you. Have them teach you their favorite songs or dance moves. Take evening walks, grab coffee on Saturday afternoons or sit in the backyard after dinner with no distractions. During these times of presence, avoid coming in with an agenda and try not to dig for follow-up information if the teen doesn’t provide it. Just be present and take what they share with you as a gift. They may not open up every time, but they may start to feel more comfortable talking to you when they feel you’re present and there for them. Minimize Criticism Teenagers are very sensitive to criticism and anything that seems critical might cause them to shut down. Comments about their clothes, body, friends or anything else that feels like a reflection of who they are can be very damaging. Teens who have a sense that their parents are critical of their choices or worse, their identity, are less likely to open up with their parents. In the end, parents can keep their eyes on the prize. The goal is to build and maintain a safe, stable home base as teenagers go through life’s changes. If they seem to want nothing to do with you in the meantime, stay the course. They’ll come back around. For more on supporting teens, download our free Teen Mental Health Toolkit at the link below. FREE DOWNLOAD Teen Mental Health Toolkit Download Now ### Summer Reading Challenge to Curb Boredom and Promote the Love of Reading https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/summer-reading-challenge-to-curb-boredom-and-promote-the-love-of-reading/ The start of summer break is an exciting time for children and families, a break from the morning hustle and routines of the school year. But it's often not long before kids' faces are buried in a screen or you hear that dreaded phrase: "I'm bored!" This is why we've created a fun, FREE, summer reading challenge. In this guide, your kid will find prompts to help them read a variety of books. Choose from adventures, books about friendship or books with a joyful cover. Or read with a friend or out loud to someone! Students can track their progress, reflect on their reading, and play fun book-related games along the way. Keep your kids from being bored and help spark the love of reading by downloading this free guide today. Happy summer! FREE DOWNLOAD Changemaker Reading Challenge Read more ### Making Mud Pies https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/making-mud-pies/ Mud pies aren’t just a mess. They give children a chance to boost sensory development while enjoying the benefits of connecting with the natural world. What You Need A dish you don’t mind getting dirty or a recycled container. Dirt Water Items from nature (leaves, flowers, twigs, pebbles, etc.) What to Prepare Head outside and find a good patch of dirt to dig up. Have your water and a container ready to mix in. Now gather your treasures from nature to use as decoration for your pie. The more colors and textures the better. What to Do Toss a few handfuls of dirt into your dish. Gradually add water until it reaches a moldable consistency. Use your hands to make a pie shape. Once it starts to dry, decorate your pie with the things you’ve found in nature. Look around for colorful flowers, twisty twigs, shiny pebbles, and leaves of various shapes and sizes. You may even be able to find some acorns or berries to fill up your pie. Explore various designs with your leaves and twigs. How many ways can they be arranged? Can you put them into a repeating pattern? How many different materials can be used in your pie? How many shapes and colors can you include? Try adding flowers for a pop of color. Create another layer of texture with pebbles. Experiment with different soils. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! ### First Steps to Cultivating Wellness https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/first-steps-to-cultivating-wellness/ ### When My Body Was Telling Me the Truth: A Former Principal’s Story https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/when-my-body-was-telling-me-the-truth-a-former-principals-story/ By Vanessa Stuart, M.Ed. I didn’t recognize it at the time. In fact, if you’d asked me back then, I would have told you I was just tired, over-caffeinated, and maybe coming down with something (again). But in hindsight, I know now that I was running on fumes. As a principal, I loved my school. I loved the staff, the kids and the families. I felt proud to be trusted with something so important. I cared deeply about my school community and felt proud that they trusted me with something so important. I gave it my all and I kept giving everything I had, until I didn’t have much left to give. It started small with some sleepless nights and a constant tightness in my shoulders. I would experience a nagging, lingering headache, and I would chalk it up to the job. I mean, every principal is stressed, right? That’s just part of leadership. But over time, things got worse. I was getting sick more often. My heart would frequently start racing, and I couldn’t shake the fog in my brain. Even things that used to bring me joy, like visiting classrooms or laughing with kids, felt heavy. What I didn’t realize at the time was that my body was trying to tell me something. I wasn’t just tired. I was burned out. Looking back, I can see how stress crept in and made itself at home. I can also see how I ignored my own needs in the name of being a “good leader.” I convinced myself that everyone else’s needs had to come first. The ironic part was that I did this while also telling my teachers to prioritize self-care, take breaks, and set boundaries. I meant what I said to them, I just didn’t apply it to myself. It turns out, I wasn’t alone. A 2022 report from Rand found that 85% of principals experience job-related stress and 48% of principals are facing burnout. I know every day principals show up, push through and put their mental health needs on the back burner, focusing instead on other, seemingly more important issues. But, principals, your mental health matters. Your rest matters. Prioritizing health, practicing self-care and setting boundaries aren’t just for your staff, they are for you too. If you relate to this story, download our free workbook, Mental Health for Principals: Strategies for Prioritizing Mental Wellness. You’ll find strategies backed by neuroscience that can help principals manage their mental health and avoid burnout. FREE DOWNLOAD Mental Health for Principals Download ### Rainbow Walk https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/rainbow-walk/ Spending time in nature supports our mental health by helping reduce stress and improving mood. Want to add an additional layer of mindfulness to time in nature? Try a rainbow walk! This simple activity encourages us to engage with our surroundings. It helps us slow down and notice the beauty that exists all around. The idea is simple. Go on a walk and try to find at least one item for every color of the rainbow. But here’s the catch: each item has to be something found in nature, not made by humans. That means no street signs or parked cars. Only things like blooming flowers, fluttering birds, and tall growing trees. Start by searching for something red—Is there a bed of roses in someone’s yard, or a patch of berries hanging from a nearby bush? Next, go down the list of colors until you’ve found something for each one. Don’t forget to look in all directions! The ground beneath your feet and the sky above will offer an array of colors. After you’ve found something for every color of the rainbow, look at your list of items. What did you find that surprised you? How many colors did you find in the sky vs. on the ground? Were there certain colors that were easier to spot than others? These small wonders can spark creativity, restore a sense of calm and connect you to the natural world. So, next time you’re headed out for a walk, make it a rainbow walk! It’s a chance to discover all the ways that nature is full of color and life. All you have to do is stop and take a look. ### Mental Health For Principals https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/mental-health-for-principals/ Working in a leadership role can be stressful, leaving little room for managing your mental health. Principals know this all too well. They are the ones keeping things running, solving problems before anyone else even sees them, and holding space for everyone else's needs. In our free workbook, Mental Health for Principals: Strategies for Prioritizing Mental Wellness, we've pulled together a few strategies, backed by neuroscience, that can help principals manage their mental health even when time is limited. FREE DOWNLOAD Mental Health for Principals Download ### Sour to Sweet: A Mental Health Lesson Plan https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/sour-to-sweet-a-mental-health-lesson-plan/ May is Mental Health Awareness month and here at Momentous Institute, we are helping our students understand how they can support their mental health. But first we have to explain what mental health is and why it is important. The Sour to Sweet lesson plan was designed to do just that. This free lesson explains the concept of mental health and how mental health is just as important and physical health. It also contains an activity to help students learn one way they can support their mental health. ### A Mindful Tasting Activity https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/a-mindful-tasting-activity/ Many of us are guilty of snacking without even noticing the food we’re popping into our mouths. But when we slow down and eat mindfully, we appreciate our food more. This leads us to make more conscious choices about the food we eat. One way to pay better attention to our eating habits is to use all of our senses while eating. Enter: mindful tasting. We recently provided Momentous School students with a mindful tasting activity at their school carnival. The event was Minion themed, so we decorated small cups with Minion faces and dropped in a few pieces of popcorn in each cup. As students came by, we used the script below to lead them through the activity. We loved their responses! Some said the popcorn looked like flowers, others noticed the way it got soggy quickly as it rested on their tongue. They heard cracking sounds as they chewed and the smell reminded them of going to the movies. If you’re looking for a simple activity to try with kids, give mindful tasting a try! Grab a cup of popcorn. Pause. Don’t eat it yet! First, look at the popcorn. Pretend you’ve never seen popcorn before. What do you see? What colors do you notice? What textures, shapes and patterns? Now, smell the popcorn. What does it smell like? Do you have any sensations or memories from this smell? Now, pick up one piece of popcorn and touch it. What do you feel on your fingers? What different textures do you notice? What temperature is it? Now, gently place the popcorn on your tongue. Don’t chew it and swallow it yet! Taste the piece of popcorn as it rests on your tongue. What do you feel? What do you notice? Now, start to chew the popcorn very slowly. Listen as you chew. What sounds do you hear? As you chew slowly, notice the way the texture changes as you eat. Pay attention to the feeling of the food in your mouth and as you swallow. You just ate your popcorn mindfully! What was different about it from the way you normally eat popcorn? Did you notice anything new? When we slow down and use all our senses to enjoy our food, we can appreciate it more. Do you think you could try this with one special food item at home? Do you think you could teach this to your family to try together? Click here for a printable copy of the script. ### What Matters Most for Teacher Appreciation Week: Teacher’s Mental Health https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/what-matters-most-for-teacher-appreciation-week-teachers-mental-health/ Principals know that by the time May rolls around, teachers are often exhausted and overwhelmed. This is why Teacher Appreciation Week hits at just the right time for that late-in-the-year pick me up. Teacher Appreciation Week is an important opportunity to celebrate incredible dedication and hard work of teachers throughout the year. Many schools celebrate with themed days, gift cards, special treats and handwritten cards of appreciation. And who doesn’t love these? But here at Momentous Institute, we don’t think it’s a coincidence that Teacher Appreciation Week falls during Mental Health Awareness Month. After all, what matters more to teacher wellbeing than breakfast bars, jeans days and massage chairs is a priority on mental health. May exhaustion can be a sign that teachers are ready for summer, but it can also be a warning sign of burnout. Educator burnout is a serious issue that can lead to decreased performance, mental health problems and teachers who choose to leave the profession. Before this school year comes to a close, you can signal to your team that their mental health matters. Download our free Squeeze the School Day guide with reflection questions and practical strategies to celebrate mental health in your school. Why limit it to one week when you can celebrate all month long? End the year strong and download the free guide today! FREE DOWNLOADS Mental Health Month Guide for Schools Read more ### What Principals Need to Know About Burnout https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/what-principals-need-to-know-about-burnout/ There’s no doubt about it: burnout is a real challenge in education. In the last few years, we’ve seen a rise in discussions around burnout, specifically around educator burnout. In a 2022 poll, the National Education Association found that 90% of their members said burnout was a serious problem; 67% categorized it as very serious. The focus on burnout in education has mostly been around the rate at which teachers are leaving the profession due to long-term stress. But teachers aren’t the only ones experiencing burnout. Principals also experience stress and burnout, in some cases at higher rates than teachers. A separate 2022 report by Rand stated that 85% of principals experienced job-related stress and 48% were facing burnout. What is burnout? Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that leads to feelings of overwhelm or powerlessness. Powered by chronic, unaddressed stress, burnout drains away a person’s passion and enthusiasm for work or even life in general. Often when a person experiences burnout they begin to feel a lack of engagement and enthusiasm. This doesn’t happen all at once. A person doesn’t just suddenly stop feeling engaged in their work. Instead, it happens over time. Think about burnout like a fire that is slowly extinguishing due to a few drops of water at a time. Eventually the drops accumulate until it is enough to extinguish the flame. Principals have a stressful job. They manage academic programming, staff and teacher well-being as well as relationships with administration and community members. That level of responsibility can make finding time to focus on physical and mental health needs difficult. When there is always one more thing to do, personal needs are put on the back burner. Unfortunately, ignoring stress and deprioritizing self-care contributes to burnout. Fortunately, there are many things principals can take to mitigate and even prevent burnout. Let’s look at a few strategies. Start with Small Things A leading cause of burnout is unmanaged stress. Stress can be caused by big things like life events or unexpected changes at work, but it can also be caused by smaller things. Remember, burnout most often happens when enough drops of water accumulate to extinguish a flame. The good news is that the small things are often some of the easiest to manage. For example, you may notice that you are always stressed trying to get the staff meeting agenda sent out every week. It becomes something you end up doing at the last minute and it becomes a constant source of stress. When you recognize this small task as a source of stress, you can then make a plan to handle it and prevent it from becoming a bigger challenge. For example, you may decide to block a section of time on your calendar to prioritize the agenda. This simple fix allows you to complete the agenda with plenty of time to send it out to staff. Removing this small stressor may not get rid of all the stress in your life, but it may help lighten the load a bit. Build Communities of Support Dealing with the unique challenges of being a principal can feel isolating. In a school community, different groups turn to the principal for guidance and support, but often it can feel as if the principal has no one to turn to. Who could possibly understand other than another principal? While it is helpful to receive support from someone who understands exactly what we are dealing with, that is not the only type of support we can rely on. We need different types of support from different people. Think of support like a series of concentric circles. One circle may be your fellow principals, another may be your family, friend group, book club, workout friends or neighbors. People in different circles can support us in different ways. Intentionally building communities of support is essential. In addition to helping with stress management, communities of support keep us afloat and provide respite. Set Boundaries Walking away and leaving work at work can be challenging when it feels like there is still so much to do. But we know that we can’t work all the time. Our bodies and minds need time to step away from work and enjoy other areas of our lives. Setting boundaries around work can help facilitate a work/life balance that ultimately allows us to be more effective at work and experience greater satisfaction. Check out this post to learn more about how to set healthy boundaries. Ultimately, the work of a school principal is an incredible opportunity to create a healthy, thriving learning environment. Burnout can rob us of joy and passion for work. But when we notice the signs and prioritize healthy strategies, we can retain our passion and continue another day to support not only ourselves, but the entire school community. FREE DOWNLOAD Mental Health for Principals Strategies for Prioritizing Mental Wellness Download ### Meet our Second Grade Bearded Dragon! https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/meet-our-second-grade-bearded-dragon/ ### Time in Nature Tracker https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/time-in-nature-tracker/ Did you know there’s a 20-minute intervention that can boost mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mental health? You read that right! Research shows that just 20 minutes outside in nature has a variety of benefits for our mental health. What’s better than that? Making a habit of it. This month, set a goal to spend 20 minutes outside every single day. Use the download below to record progress as you go! FREE DOWNLOADS Time in Nature Tracker Download ### Download our Mental Health Month Guide for Schools https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/download-our-mental-health-month-guide-for-schools/ We recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health for children in schools – but what about the adults? May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which provides the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the importance of mental health in all aspects of our lives. Strong mental health allows us to manage our emotions, form healthier relationships with others, work towards our goals and contribute to our communities – skills that matter for children and the adults who support them. To support mental health this month, we’ve created a simple guide that can help facilitate Mental Health Awareness Month plans. This guide is built upon decades of evidence-based research in neuroscience and the leading mental health theories and practices. This guide can be used during Mental Health Awareness Month in May or any time during the year. It can be used by principals, school leadership, existing school committees, parent organizations or any staff member interested in leading the school through this work. In this guide, you’ll find a focused month-long effort with action items for each week designed to support the mental health of the adults in the school. In turn, strong adult mental health supports children as well. This guide is interactive and reflective in nature, allowing you to adapt the information and strategies into your unique setting. Ultimately, we hope this guide supports you as you work towards prioritizing and strengthening mental health among your team. Bonus! Download the School guide and receive a Family Engagement guide to be shared with your family engagement coordinator, parent organization or other family liaison. FREE DOWNLOADS Mental Health Month Guide for Schools Download ### Celebrate Mental Health Month in Your Workplace! https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/celebrate-mental-health-month-in-your-workplace/ May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which provides the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the importance of mental health in all aspects of our lives. Strong mental health allows us to manage our emotions, form healthier relationships with others, work towards our goals and contribute to our communities – all skills that are essential in the workplace. To support mental health this month, we’ve created a simple guide that can help facilitate Mental Health Awareness Month plans. This guide is built upon decades of evidence-based research in neuroscience and the leading mental health theories and practices. It is designed to find simple ways to implement these research-backed practices into any workplace setting. This guide can be used during Mental Health Awareness Month in May or any time during the year. It can be used by executives, HR departments, team leaders or anyone interested in leading a group through this work. In this guide, you’ll find a focused month-long effort with action items for each week. It is interactive and reflective in nature, allowing you to adapt the information and strategies into your unique setting. Ultimately, we hope this guide supports you as you work towards prioritizing and strengthening mental health on your team. FREE DOWNLOADS Squeeze the Work Day Download ### Try Lemon Breathin https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/try-lemon-breathing/ Mindful breathing is one of the easiest and most accessible tools to help ground us to the present moment and return to a state of calm. Try this simple tool to help guide breathing as a tool for regulation. Simply use your finger to trace along the dotted lines, breathing in and out slowly. Repeat three (or more!) times to help regulate your brain and body. Bonus! Join the challenge to practice lemon breathing every day. Color in one piece of the lemon for every day you complete the lemon breathing until the lemon is completely filled in. FREE DOWNLOADS Lemon Breathing Download ### Five Nature-Based Family Activities https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/five-nature-based-family-activities/ Time spent in nature offers a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It also provides a calming environment that can reduce stress and promote overall mental health. And most importantly, it creates an opportunity for play and fun! Download this activity sheet for five easy activities that can be done in nature. They’re all free and accessible to all, and rooted in brain science to support overall mental wellbeing. Free Downloads Nature-Based Family Activities Download ### The Impact of Nature on Mental Health https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/the-impact-of-nature-on-mental-health/ ### The Link Between Nature and Mental Health https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/the-link-between-nutrition-and-mental-health/ ### How Does Movement Affect our Mental Health? https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-does-movement-affect-our-mental-health/ ### Why Community Matters for our Mental Health https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/why-community-matters-for-our-mental-health/ ### How Sensory Processing Can Affect a Child’s Early Attachment https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-sensory-processing-can-affect-a-childs-early-attachment/ By Liza Raynor, LCSW, RPT, Early Childhood Therapist Attachment theory examines an individual’s comfort in expressing their emotions and trusting that their loved ones care about them. Families shape our sense of what’s okay and not okay to acknowledge and express. These expressions start as babies. When a baby cries out with a need and the need is met, the baby learns that it’s okay to listen to their body and use their cry to alert loved ones. They learn that even though hardship happens, they can use their voice and their loved ones keep them comfortable and safe. This co-regulation is the foundation for security in relationships. Learn More about Attachment A baby’s earliest needs are sensory—dirty diapers, hunger, overstimulation. Of course, a baby is unable to meet these needs on their own. The cycle of secure attachment starts like this: Babies and their caregivers go through this attachment dance all day long with needs like hunger, fatigue, boredom, fear, and pain. Every time the caregiver meets the baby’s needs, they reinforce the baby’s body awareness, voice, and trust in others. But what about the times when a child’s sensory needs are not met? Sadly, some babies have caregivers who are unsuited to care for babies, and they neglect the baby’s experiences and cries. These babies learn to ignore their body sensations because their cry doesn’t work to meet their needs. These babies can become stoic and detached from their body. They may distrust people and feel unsafe. Some babies have doting, attentive caregivers but they still have a detached relationship with their bodies and a strained caregiving relationship. Why? Some babies are born with hypersensitive nervous systems that are hard for the most attentive caregivers to regulate. Babies are born with sensitivities for various reasons. Some nervous systems are disrupted in utero from the maternal cortisol of extremely stressful pregnancies. Other babies don’t have stressful pregnancies but are still born with challenging nervous systems. Many of these children have sensitivities that they largely outgrow, and some are later diagnosed with autism. No matter the reason for the sensitivity, children with sensory differences can be hard to co-regulate. They may not have the body awareness to listen to their aversions and their cravings. They may not be able to articulate their experiences and ask for comfort. Their parents may be at their wit’s end trying to understand their child’s mysterious needs. This can be frustrating and devastating to everyone involved. The answer is finding their own unique attachment dance with their child. Some children need occupational therapists to help their family learn their sensory aversions and cravings. When the child builds their body awareness, they can use their voice to let their caregivers understand. Together, the parent and child can find activities that feel good. Maybe the child likes to be rolled up tight in a blanket like a taco. Maybe they like to chew gum. Maybe they hate the smell of perfume. Maybe they like to spin. Maybe they like to be smooshed in pillows. Maybe the like silicone straws. Maybe they like to wear headphones in crowded spaces. Maybe they need wiggle breaks every 10 minutes. Maybe they need a calm pillow corner to be alone and rest their senses. Discovering a child’s unique nervous system can be exciting. Every time a parent provides comfort, that child learns “I have a body. I have a voice. I have loved ones who make me feel good.” They build a secure foundation knowing that they can express themselves and others support them. Teachers and grandparents can also help co-regulate kids to help them use their voice and coping skills. Raising healthy kids takes a village! ### Returning to Optimal: Using Sensory Input to Regulate Arousal States https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/returning-to-optimal-using-sensory-input-to-regulate-arousal-states/ Ever find yourself reaching for a bubbly drink when the afternoon energy slump hits, or putting on a comforting song when you're feeling down? There’s science behind why we do these things. It involves arousal states, sensory input, and the nervous system. Let’s break it down. Arousal states are the level of alertness and activation we experience. There are three states of arousal: low, moderate and high. Each state can be helpful depending on the situation. However, a moderate arousal state is optimal for learning, completing tasks, and focusing. Learn earn more about arousal states at the link below. Understand & Identify Arousal States Recognizing Optimal Read more We generally want to spend most of our time in a moderate arousal state, but we experience multiple arousal states throughout the day. This is only a problem when we enter a low or high arousal state when we need to be focused and engaged. The same goes for children. Fortunately, we have a built-in way to regulate our arousal states. This is where sensory input and the nervous system come into play. Most of us are familiar with the five senses, however, we actually have seven different sensory systems. The systems are: Tactile (touch) Auditory (sound) Visual (sight) Gustatory (taste) Olfactory (smell) Proprioceptive (muscle-joint awareness) Vestibular (orientation in space) These systems help us process, understand and interact with our environment. Our brain is constantly filtering through sensory input and sending it to various brain regions for processing. It also uses sensory input to activate the nervous system. The nervous system has two main parts, the parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic system, also known as the “rest and digest” system, works to slow down certain responses, allowing the body to rest and repair. The sympathetic nervous system, responsible for our “fight or flight” response, speeds up our responses and increases alertness. When we experience low arousal, the parasympathetic nervous system does its best to keep us resting, and when we experience high arousal, the sympathetic nervous system keeps us extra alert. Given this information, it’s probably not surprising that we can regulate from a high arousal state to moderate by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and do the same for a low arousal state by activating the sympathetic nervous system. And we can activate either system by using sensory experiences. Sensory input naturally impacts arousal states. If you hear an emergency alarm, the brain activates the parasympathetic nervous system and triggers a stress response, putting us into a high arousal state. Most of the time, sensory input affects our arousal before we are consciously aware of what is happening. However, once we realize that we are experiencing low or high arousal at an inopportune time, we can deliberately use sensory input to regulate back to a moderate, optimal state. Often, we instinctually turn to sensory input to regulate our arousal. Remember reaching for that bubbly drink to combat the afternoon energy slump? Bubbly drinks give us a boost of alertness through our gustatory senses. That tried-and-true song that has a calming effect uses our auditory senses to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This instinct to turn to sensory experiences is a tool for regulation. When we recognize this, we can more intentionally use it for managing our emotions. This is particularly helpful for children. Because their brains are still developing, they often need assistance using sensory experiences to help them regulate. Here are a few ways we can use sensory experiences to return to that optimal, moderate arousal. Remember: for high arousal we want to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and for low arousal, we want to activate the sympathetic nervous system. Moving from High Arousal to Moderate Pressure via a tight hug or weighted blanket Swinging or rocking Pressing against a wall Soothing music Drinking a thick drink through a straw Moving from Low Arousal to Moderate Jumping, jogging or dancing Crunchy snacks Singing or listening to upbeat music Playing with textured materials There is a tight link between our senses and our arousal states. Understanding of how our senses affect our arousal states and how we can use sensory input to alter those states gives us a powerful tool for regulation. ### Recognizing Optimal: Helping Children Identify Arousal States https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/recognizing-optimal-helping-children-identify-arousal-states/ Imagine seeing a child talking rapidly and buzzing with energy. Your first thought probably isn’t, ‘This child is ready to learn.’ Instead, you’re likely thinking about how to help them calm down. The child is likely in a high arousal state and may need support to return to a more balanced state before they can focus on learning. Let’s explore what arousal states are and how we can help children recognize their own arousal state. Arousal states are the levels of alertness and activation we experience. They are influenced by both physiological factors (like heart rate and breathing) and psychological factors (like thoughts and emotions. Our arousal state can impact our emotions and how we respond to things happening in our environment. The Alert Program by Williams & Shellenberger teaches three states of arousal: low, moderate and high. Low Arousal (hypo arousal) Someone experiencing low arousal may appear sleepy, lethargic or bored. Moderate Arousal Someone experiencing moderate may appear alert, calm, engaged or focused. High Arousal (hyper arousal) Someone experiencing high arousal may appear excited, distracted, hyper or fidgety. No state of arousal is bad, and each state can be helpful depending on the situation. For instance, low arousal is great for bedtime and high arousal is needed when playing a sport. However, moderate arousal is the optimal state for most situations. Explaining arousal states to children can be tricky. At Momentous Institute, our therapists working with young children explain arousal states using three colors to represent each of the states: blue for low, green for just right, and purple for high. Using colors allows children to identify when they are “in the blue” or “in the purple”. To demonstrate these states, our therapists use a tool made from a paper plate that resembles a speedometer. Here’s how you can create your own. What You Need Paper plates cut in half (each child will need one half) Green, Blue and Purple markers or crayons Pipe cleaners Instructions Give each child half of a paper plate or have them cut a paper plate in half. Instruct children to color three wedges onto the plate. The wedges should be in this order from left to right – blue, green, purple. Punch a hole in the bottom of the paper plate and thread a pipe cleaner through to create a moveable arrow like what you would see on a speedometer. If the pipe cleaner is too loose, try fixing it to the paper plate using a brad. Once children have completed their meter, lead them through modeling each state. We recommend going through the states in this order. For purple, have children move their pointer to purple and then wiggle, jump and run. For blue, have children move their pointer to blue and then lie down on the floor to mimic a snoring nap. For green, have children move their pointer to green and then sit crisscross-applesauce with attentive eyes and raised hands to show that they are alert and ready to learn. This body awareness can be enhanced with personal heart rate monitors. Children can exercise and notice their high, fast heart beats. And then they can use their coping skills and appreciate their slow heartbeat. Children are empowered when they realize that they can listen to their bodies and use coping skills to alter their energy for the situation at hand. One way to help children regulate their arousal state is by using sensory experiences. You can learn more about how sensory input can work for regulation here. ### Preparing for Daylight Savings Time https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/preparing-for-daylight-savings-time/ It’s Spring, and that means it is time for the annual changing of the clocks. As we look ahead to Daylight Savings Time beginning this weekend, many people dread the disruption to the sleep schedule and darker mornings. Here are a few tips to minimize the frustration and maximize the time change. Adjust Your Sleep Schedule Early Try going to bed just 15 minutes earlier a few days leading up to the time change. This small gesture can help ease the transition, making it easier when you lose that hour of sleep later. Expose Yourself to Daylight The more sunlight you get during the day, the better your body is prepared for sleep at night. Exposure to natural light helps regulate your body's circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep when darkness arrives. Set Your Body Up for Success Sleep is just one part of caring for our bodies. We do better with physical body changes when we attend to multiple aspects – including nutrition and exercise. Spend the next few days focused on nutrient-rich foods and physical exertion, which will help you feel your best, and help you sleep better through the night. Enjoy the Extra Evening Light The perk to daylight savings? That precious evening light. Soak up the extra hour of sunlight in the evening by taking an after-dinner walk, sitting on your porch or patio or heading to your nearest green space. For those caring for children during this time change, these same tips apply! Find that extra sleep where you can, and enjoy the changing weather and daylight patterns. ### Understanding Emotions https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/understanding-emotions/ ### Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation with Us https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/try-progressive-muscle-relaxation-with-us/ ### How to be Grateful in Hard Times https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-be-grateful-in-hard-times/ ### How to identify Triggers https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/how-to-identify-triggers/ ### A Common Misconception of Optimism https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/a-common-misconception-of-optimism/ ### 5-4-3-2-1 Meditation https://momentousinstitute.org/resources/5-4-3-2-1-meditation/ ## Events ### Free Webinar: Safe Relationships – The Power of Family Engagement https://momentousinstitute.org/events/free-webinar-safe-relationships-the-power-of-family-engagement/ Free Webinar: Safe Relationships - The Power of Family Engagement Time: 3:30–4:30 PM How can schools help families feel connected, valued, and ready to partner in their child’s learning? Join Brianna Sanford, M.Ed. and Monica Arellano, LBSW, for a practical look at how Momentous School builds safe, trusting relationships with families to strengthen its school community. Through real examples, explore ways to move beyond sharing information to creating meaningful opportunities for connection and partnership. You’ll leave with: - Ideas to help families feel welcome and build mutual trust. - Relatable examples of engagement that strengthen relationships between home and school. - An activity you can use immediately to help families feel seen and valued. Designed for school leaders, counselors, parent liaisons and educators, this free webinar offers strategies you can apply immediately, along with an introduction to how Momentous Institute’s training and Changemakers curriculum can support your school’s next steps. Guest SPEAKER Monica Arellano Family Engagement Coordinator · Momentous Institute Monica Arellano, LBSW, is a Family Engagement Coordinator at Momentous School, where she has led family engagement, student and family support, and parent leadership development for over two decades. Her work centers on co-designing culturally responsive, equity-focused family learning experiences alongside parent leaders, with a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning, belonging, and relational trust. Monica has contributed to national conference presentations, research-based interventions, and professional learning related to family engagement and SEL. Her practice is informed by dual-capacity family engagement frameworks and years of collaboration with community and national partners. MEET THE PRESENTER Brianna Sanford Learning and Consultation Facilitator · Momentous Institute Brianna Sanford is an experienced educator with 20 years of service as a teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal in both Texas and Oklahoma public schools, as well as at Momentous School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master’s degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from The University of Texas at Arlington. She also earned her Principal as Instructional Leader certification through ESC Region 11. In her current role at Momentous Institute, Brianna supports the implementation of the Changemakers Curriculum and shares evidence-based strategies to promote mental health for all. ### Knox Street Lemonade Pop-up https://momentousinstitute.org/events/knox-street-lemonade-pop-up/ Date Time ### Ralph Lauren — 17 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/ralph-lauren-event-2/ Date Time ### Ralph Lauren — 16 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/ralph-lauren/ Date Time ### THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson https://momentousinstitute.org/events/the-cj-cup-byron-nelson/ Date ### Dallas Sports Commission – Dallas Bike Ride https://momentousinstitute.org/events/dallas-sports-commission-dallas-bike-ride/ Date Time ### Downtown Dallas Goat Yoga https://momentousinstitute.org/events/downtown-dallas-goat-yoga/ Date Time ### Downtown Dallas Inc. Fitness Night — 27 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/downtown-dallas-inc-fitness-night-4/ Date Time ### Downtown Dallas Inc. Fitness Night — 19 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/downtown-dallas-inc-fitness-night-3/ Date Time ### Downtown Dallas Inc. Fitness Night — 12 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/downtown-dallas-inc-fitness-night-2/ Date Time ### Downtown Dallas Inc. Fitness Night — 5 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/downtown-dallas-inc-fitness-night-1/ Date Time ### Dallas Trinity FC https://momentousinstitute.org/events/dallas-trinity-fc/ Date Time ### Downtown Dallas Inc. Movie Night — 29 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/downtown-dallas-inc-movie-night-4/ Date Time ### Downtown Dallas Inc. Movie Night — 22 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/downtown-dallas-inc-movie-night-3/ Date Time ### Downtown Dallas Inc. Movie Night — 15 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/downtown-dallas-inc-movie-night-2/ Date Time ### Downtown Dallas Inc. Movie Night — 8 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/downtown-dallas-inc-movie-night-1/ Date Time ### Dallasites 101 x Mahjong Line x Mahjong Molly https://momentousinstitute.org/events/dallasites-101-x-mahjong-line-x-mahjong-molly/ Date Time ### Five Guys Galleria Giveback — 21 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/five-guys-galleria-giveback-2/ Date Time ### Five Guys Galleria Giveback — 13 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/five-guys-galleria-giveback/ Date Time ### Galleria Dallas — 29 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/galleria-dallas-5/ Date Time ### Galleria Dallas — 22 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/galleria-dallas-4/ Date Time ### Galleria Dallas — 15 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/galleria-dallas-3/ Date Time ### Galleria Dallas — 8 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/galleria-dallas-2/ Date Time ### Nasher Sculpture Center — 2 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/nasher-sculpture-center-first-free-saturday/ Date Time ### Session Pilates — 2 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/session-pilates/ Date Time ### Klyde Warren Park — 30 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/klyde-warren-park-7/ Date Time ### Klyde Warren Park — 24 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/klyde-warren-park-6/ Date Time ### Klyde Warren Park — 23 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/klyde-warren-park-5/ Date Time ### Klyde Warren Park — 17 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/klyde-warren-park-4/ Date Time ### Klyde Warren Park — 16 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/klyde-warren-park-3/ Date Time Klyde Warren Park Fitness Yoga & Pilates May 3, 2026: 10AM - 12PM bOOTCAMP, YOGA & mEDITATION May 9, 2026: 8:45AM - 11:15AM BOOTCAMP, YOGA, MEDITATION & BARRE May 16, 2026: 8:45AM-12:15AM BOOTCAMP, YOGA & MEDITATION May 17, 2026: 10AM - 12PM YOGA & PILATES May 23, 2026: 8:45AM - 11:15AM YOGA & DANCE FITNESS May 24, 2026: 10AM - 10:45AM BOOTCAMP, YOGA & MEDITATION May 30, 2026: 8:45AM - 11:15AM ### Klyde Warren Park — 9 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/klyde-warren-park-2/ Date Time Klyde Warren Park Fitness Yoga & Pilates May 3, 2026: 10AM - 12PM bOOTCAMP, YOGA & mEDITATION May 9, 2026: 8:45AM - 11:15AM BOOTCAMP, YOGA, MEDITATION & BARRE May 16, 2026: 8:45AM-12:15AM BOOTCAMP, YOGA & MEDITATION May 17, 2026: 10AM - 12PM YOGA & PILATES May 23, 2026: 8:45AM - 11:15AM YOGA & DANCE FITNESS May 24, 2026: 10AM - 10:45AM BOOTCAMP, YOGA & MEDITATION May 30, 2026: 8:45AM - 11:15AM ### Klyde Warren Park — 3 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/klyde-warren-park/ Date Time ### Session Pilates https://momentousinstitute.org/events/session-pilates-dallas/ Date Time ### Nasher Sculpture Center — 15 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/nasher-sculpture-center/ Date Time ### Dallas Museum of Art https://momentousinstitute.org/events/dallas-museum-of-art/ Date Time ### Galleria Dallas — 1 May 2026 https://momentousinstitute.org/events/galleria-dallas-1/ Date Time ### Los Charros https://momentousinstitute.org/events/los-charros/ Date Time Throughout May, Los Charros will have a speciality menu featuring lemon-themed items, where 50% of sales benefit Momentous Institute throughout the month. ### JuiceLand https://momentousinstitute.org/events/juice-land-walk-for-wellness-challenge/ ## School Tours ### Momentous School Tour https://momentousinstitute.org/school-tours/momentous-school-october-tour-2026/ Date Time See mental health and academics come to life. Join us for an in-person tour of Momentous School, where mental health practices are fully integrated into the academic day. Designed for classroom teachers, administrators, and school mental health professionals, this free experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to create a school culture rooted in wellness. Participants will observe live classroom lessons, explore calming and regulation tools used by students, take photos for inspiration, and connect with experts who implement these practices every day. This tour offers real-world examples of: · Mental health and academic integration · Trauma-informed classroom strategies · Learning environments designed for regulation · Schoolwide systems that support both students and staff Come away with fresh ideas and a renewed vision for what’s possible in your own learning environment. This tour is limited to 50 registered participants per tour date and will last from 7:45 AM – 10:00 AM. ## Partners ### Dallas Zoo https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/dallas-zoo/ ### Commit To Break The Stigma https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/commit-to-break-the-stigma/ ### Ralph Lauren https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/ralph-lauren/ ### Dallas Bike Ride https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/dallas-bike-ride/ ### Dallas Sports Commission https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/dallas-sports-commission/ ### Visit Dallas https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/visit-dallas/ ### Ben E. Keith Co. https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/ben-e-keith-co/ ### Dallas Museum of Art https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/dallas-museum-of-art/ ### Dallasites101 https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/dallasites-101/ ### Dallas Downtown, INC. https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/dallas-downtown-inc/ ### YMCA https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/ymca/ ### Los Charros https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/los-charros/ ### The Mahjong Line https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/the-mahjong-line/ ### Knox Street https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/knox-street/ ### Session Pilates https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/session-pilates/ ### Five Guys https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/five-guys/ ### Dallas Children’s Theater https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/dallas-childrens-theater/ ### Galleria Dallas https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/galleria-dallas/ ### Dallas Trinity FC https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/dallas-trinity-fc/ ### George W. Bush Presidential Center https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/george-w-bush-presidential-center/ ### Halperin Park https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/halperin-park/ ### JuiceLand https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/juice-land/ ### THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/the-cj-cup-byron-nelson/ ### City of McKinney https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/city-of-mc-kinney/ ### Nasher Sculpture Center https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/nasher-sculpture-center/ ### Klyde Warren Park https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/klyde-warren-park/ ### Heard Museum https://momentousinstitute.org/squeeze-the-day-partners/heard-museum/