The Science of Well-Being Lessons: January

As we welcomed the new year, the Science of Well-Being lessons continued the spirit of celebration; focusing not on resolutions, but on relationships, authenticity, communication, and connection. Across all grade levels, students explored ways to understand themselves, connect with others, and build skills that support long-term well-being rooted in applied positive psychology and social-emotional learning.

K-2 Theme: Celebrating Authenticity, Resilience, and Compassion

The celebration didn’t stop on January 1st for Kindergarten through 2nd grade students. This month, our Science of Well-Being lessons focused on celebrating what makes each girl unique and special, while deepening skills connected to authenticity, connection, resiliency, and compassion. Through stories, discussion, and activities, students practiced being fully themselves while strengthening their ability to grow, persevere, and care for others.

Kindergarten: Authenticity & Connection
Read-Aloud: Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey

Kindergarteners explored what it means to be authentic – being true to who you are instead of trying to be like someone else. After reading Thelma the Unicorn, students discussed the many ways each of them is unique and one of a kind.

Through strengthening self-awareness, the girls learned that knowing and accepting who they are helps them build meaningful connections and friendships with others. The lesson concluded with affirmations of self-worth and an activity where each student designed her own unique unicorn while celebrating her individuality.

1st Grade: Authenticity & Friendship
Read-Aloud: The Return of Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey

First graders revisited Thelma’s story, this time focusing on friendship and staying true to oneself. They discussed how pretending or trying new roles can be fun, as long as they don’t forget who they truly are!

The girls explored how friends support one another and help each other stay grounded in authenticity. The lesson concluded with students transforming their horse illustrations into magical unicorns, symbolizing confidence in who they are and joy in self-expression.

2nd Grade: Resiliency & Compassion
Read-Aloud: Claris the Mouse: Pasta Disaster by Megan Hess

Following a reading of Claris the Mouse: Pasta Disaster, the girls explored the “pasta”bilities of not giving up and approaching challenges with a growth mindset (flexible thinking) instead of a fixed mindset (rigid and messy) in order to strengthen their resiliency skills (the ability to keep going when things feel challenging). The girls determined what is and is not contributing to their resiliency with a fun game of spaghetti and meatballs in which they had to decide if a scenario demonstrated flexible thinking (spaghetti) or rigid thinking (a messy meatball). As demonstrated through the story by Claris, the girls also deepened their understanding of compassion, learning that it includes both empathy and taking action to help.

Parent Well-Being Tip – Celebrate Your Authentic Self
Take a moment this month to notice where you may be comparing yourself to others and gently return to honoring what makes YOU unique. When children see adults embrace their authentic selves, it gives them permission to do the same. Putting it into practice – each evening, name one quality, strength, or choice you appreciated about yourself that day.

3-5 Theme: Communication, Collaboration & Reflection

This month, girls in Grades 3 – 5 focused on strengthening communication and collaboration skills through the application of positive psychology concepts to deepen connection and support healthy relationships. Lessons emphasized the SEL competencies of social awareness and relationship skills, helping students navigate success, setbacks, and conflict with confidence and care. 

3rd Grade: Humility & Strengths
Read-Aloud: The Big Cheese by Jory John & Pete Oswald

Third graders explored the balance between recognizing their strengths and practicing humility. Through the story, students learned that it’s possible to feel proud of what you do well while choosing words and actions that don’t make others feel small.

Using playful scenarios, the girls decided whether responses were “gouda” (healthy ways of handling success or setbacks) or “could be cheddar” (situations that could be handled better with humility). The lesson concluded with the understanding that each girl can be “The Big Cheese” in her own unique way.

 

4th Grade: Forgiveness vs. Holding a Grudge
Read-Aloud: Mission Defrostable by Josh Funk

The girls applied previously learned skills of empathy and perspective taking to situations involving hurt feelings or conflict. The story illustrated how holding a grudge can “freeze” our ability to forgive and weigh us down emotionally.

Students practiced the SNOW strategy:

• S – Stop and pause
• N – Notice feelings and circumstances
• O – Other person’s perspective considered
• W – Welcome in forgiveness (to self and others)

This strategy helped students explore the power of “letting it go” and seeking a resolution rather than revenge. The lesson ended with an energetic “avalanche” of snowballs, reinforcing the idea of releasing what no longer serves them.

 

5th Grade: Reflection, Growth & Looking Ahead
Building on earlier lessons around noticing, savoring, and gratitude, fifth graders reflected on their experiences from 2025 and explored aspirations for 2026. Through engaging “confetti questions,” students listened to and shared moments of pride, growth, and hope for their future. The playful exchange of confetti created opportunities for communication, connection, gratitude, and goal-setting, reinforcing that reflection is both meaningful and joyful when shared in community.

Parent Well-Being Tip – Practice Reflective Communication
Pause before responding in moments of success, frustration, or conflict. Reflection helps align your response with your values rather than your emotions. Putting it into practice – ask yourself, “What do I want this moment to build?” before responding.

 

Middle School Theme: Relationships (PERMA Model – R)

This month, students in grades 6-8 continued their exploration of the PERMA model of well-being by beginning the first of two lessons focused on Relationships. January’s lesson emphasized relationships with others and highlighted research showing that the more we understand someone, the less likely we are to harm them. Curiosity, communication, and connection were at the heart of this month’s learning.

Building Relationships Through Curiosity & Communication

The girls engaged in partner-based activities designed to strengthen the core skills needed for healthy relationships and effective leadership. Through these experiences, the girls practiced:

• Active listening
• Asking open-ended questions
• Speaking respectfully
• Staying focused with minimal distractions
• Considering another person’s perspective

These skills helped students experience how curiosity and attention deepen connection and create trust. The lessons reinforced that strong relationships are built intentionally through how we listen, speak, and show up for one another. 

Relationships & Leadership

Students also explored how these communication skills directly support leadership in middle school, whether collaborating on group work, sharing ideas, or supporting peers. By learning more about one another, students saw how understanding reduces conflict and strengthens community.

Looking ahead: February’s lesson will focus inward on the relationship with oneself and the role it plays in uncovering one’s purpose and living a life of meaning. 

Parent Well-Being Tip Lead with Curiosity
When navigating conversations, especially during moments of disagreement, practice approaching others with a sense of curiosity instead of assumptions. Curiosity opens the door to understanding and connection. Putting it into practice – replace statements with questions such as, “Can you help me understand your perspective?”