WHAT IS IT?
Happy Spots is meditation that really works, really fast! It is a practice for all children and teens, whether they’re struggling with mental health or not. We embrace movement, imagination, affirmations, visualization and practical meditation. Almost like trying on a new pair of shoes and wearing them until they’re comfortable, the program gives kids a chance to practice finding and developing positive emotions to turn to in their times of anger, stress, and sadness. After just a few times with the Happy Spots exercise, children will be able to practice the program independently and start implementing the new skills they learn from the program. While Happy Spots is a great practice on its own, it also works as an excellent supplement to therapy, SEL programs, and other mental health tools.
How is Happy Spots different?
It is an active meditation practice that is developmentally appropriate and it works! Many mindfulness and meditation resources for kids offer foundational teaching, but don't go far enough for kids to improve their state of being in the long run. Happy Spots goes beyond foundational to transformational. We teach young people an evidence-based technique, rooted in neuroscience, to not only build awareness of how their thoughts and emotions are impacting them but to actually strengthen pathways in the brain associated with positive emotions. We put kids in the driver's seat of their well-being and teach them how to train their brain for happiness and limitless potential using an engaging meditation and visualization practice appropriate for kids and teens. This is a skill that they can use throughout their lives to help them build confidence and overcome any challenges.
-We use all learning modalities-Kids brains function differently than adults. It's important to engage the whole brain for optimal results. We utilize visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic learning to make meditation and mindfulness fun for kids and more importantly to see immediate results.
-It's for everyone and anyone that wants to learn how the brain works and take charge of their state of being. It can be used in crisis situations for de-escalation or simply to set goals, build confidence, and to help kids learn the power of their mind
It works...FAST! Kids and teens often report immediate benefits to their well being after doing the practice.
-Flexible-can be modified to suit different needs and ages and to suit different environments
-Personalized-The practice is tailored to YOU!
-Screen Free-We show kids how to be the best version of themselves...all by themselves!
Where Can It Be Used?
Everywhere! We believe the best program is one that reaches kids whether they’re at home, in the classroom or attending therapy, which is why Happy Spots was developed with a three-tiered approach in mind. The program is easily transferable between spaces, whether it involves multiple participants like in a classroom or group therapy or focus on a single child at home or in a counseling session. No matter the space, Happy Spots allows kids to practice identifying and choosing which emotions they want to embody.
Book ConsultationHOW DO WE GO ABOUT IT
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AT SCHOOL
Our program for schools emphasizes Social Emotional Learning, helping to improve behavior and academic outcomes for students. Perfect for both group sessions in the classroom or one-on-one with the school counselor, Happy Spots can help your students establish and achieve their goals.
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AT HOME
As the original Happy Spots program, this version is designed to be an easy-to-use, guided exercise to help families work through anxiety attacks and emotional outbursts amongst their children. It's also a way to proactively teach children how to process their emotions and curtail outburst before they happen. Not only does it help kids find a sense of calm and build confidence, but it’s a fun activity for the whole family - yes, even parents!
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AT THERAPY
Our program combines the power of mindfulness, visualization, and affirmation to help guide kids toward better emotional regulation. While this program is particularly helpful for anxiety, anger management, and depression, the habits developed are a great tool to pre-emptively help all children face any of life's challenges that arise.
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For Teachers
Our highly interactive program is great for the classroom as a fun and practical activity. Through a series of motions and guided visualizations, teachers can help start their students’ day with a sense of confidence and happiness while encouraging a growth mindset.
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For Parents
Help your child discover their confidence, bravery, and joy as they step into the world of Happy Spots. Not only will you be helping them gain control of their emotions, but you will be setting them up for success in their social skills, empathy, and focus.
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FOR COUNSELORS
Expand your clients’ mental health tool box by teaching them the Happy Spots method. Not only does this give them complete control over their mental health, but it will help them fight their anxiety and interrupt their cycles of trauma regardless of if they’re in therapy or at home.
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Love it already!
We officially did our first Happy Spots session. He did amazing and it 100% worked to get him out of his “mad emotion” he was feeling. Love it already!
-Amy (Parent)
It helped me too!
Not only did it help my kids calm down or just shift their mood, but it helped me too. I was also able to hear about some of their happiest moments and get creative with the chip ideas.
-Sarah P. (Parent)
It has given her a sense of control.
“My 10y.o. daughter requests to do Happy Spots when she is feeling anxious/emotional, particularly at the end of the day. She is often on the verge of tears when we begin and by the end she is calm and feels more at peace. It has given her a sense of control by giving her a space to communicate any feelings she is struggling with and then showing her how to find her way to a different mindset.
-Kristin F. (Parent)
Feeling much more calm.
My son has been having a grumpy day and was complaining about everything he was being asked to do. I knew that dinner time was coming and was anticipating another battle. I set the spots out and asked him to play this game with me. My demonstrating it for him helped me rest after a frustrating day, and it was awesome to see him calm down, describe his feelings and how he wanted to feel, and then visualize a small moment that I had forgotten about as one of the things that made him feel so happy. It totally helped him out of his funk, and we both walked away feeling much more calm and also like we understood each other a little better.
-Sarah P. (Parent)
A great activity!
This is a great activity for the whole family and can be applied anytime anyone is feeling like they need to reset.