Scientific Foundations

Copyright 2025

Mindful Juniors help children 5-16 grow emotionally by giving them practical tools and experiences grounded in psychology and neuroscience to understand and manage their feelings,

build character and form positive relationships.

Modern childhood is fraught with emotional and psychological challenges, from overstimulation to rising anxiety and peer pressure. Mindful Juniors improves the exposure children get in their social emotional learning by creating a structured, programme that fosters long-term psychological wellbeing, social competence, and personal growth.

Our approach;

At Mindful Juniors, we go beyond SEL.

Most schools today teach Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), which is a well-researched framework covering five key areas: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

The following pillars are evidence-based pedagogical approaches and therapeutic methods that support and enrich SEL at Mindful Juniors. They are drawn from psychology and neuroscience, and is age-appropriate.

Emotional Intelligence & Vocabulary Building

Emotional granularity—the ability to label and distinguish between emotions—is associated with improved regulation, decision-making, and mental wellbeing (Barrett, 2017; Brackett, 2019).

Mindfulness-Based Practices

Regular mindfulness practice activates prefrontal regions of the brain, promoting executive function, attention, and emotion regulation (Kabat-Zinn, 2003; Bögels & Restifo, 2014).

Self-Regulation & Executive Function

Neuroscience shows that early experiences shape the development of executive functions such as inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility—skills essential for emotional control (Diamond & Lee, 2011).

Narrative & Expressive Arts

Storytelling and expressive arts activate neural pathways associated with meaning-making and emotional integration, enhancing psychological resilience (Pennebaker & Seagal, 1999).

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL competencies correlate with improved neurological integration across emotional and cognitive systems, resulting in better school and life outcomes (Durlak et al., 2011).

Growth Mindset and Resilience Training

Growth mindset interventions shift neural patterns related to failure and motivation, helping children build perseverance and flexible coping (Dweck, 2006; Duckworth, 2016).

CBT-Informed Techniques

Cognitive-behavioural tools like thought-feeling-behavior mapping help children recognize automatic thoughts and restructure them, reducing cognitive distortions and promoting emotional clarity (Kendall, 2012).

Stress Management & Coping Strategies

Teaching children age-appropriate ways to recognize stress and activate calming strategies (like breathwork, movement, or visualization) helps reduce anxiety and build lifelong emotional resilience.

Relationship Skills & Communication

Children learn respectful communication, active listening, cooperation, and how to resolve interpersonal challenges through structured dialogue and role-play activities.

Ethical Thinking & Decision-Making

The program cultivates responsible choices and values-based reasoning, helping children understand consequences, reflect on actions, and make ethical decisions in social settings.

Evidence-Based Progress and Evaluation

Progress is measured against age-appropriate learning goals set for each term. Formal progress is tracked three times across the 10-week term — at enrolment, mid-programme (week 5), and at the end (week 10). Facilitators also record observations every session, with additional feedback from children and parents, ensuring every child’s growth is visible, meaningful, and celebrated.

SEL Significant Whole-Child Outcomes

Our approach is aligned with CASEL’s evidence-based standards, which are linked internationally to improvements in children’s social skills, wellbeing, school connectedness, and academic growth.

Improved social behaviours — stronger friendships, better conflict resolution.
Reduced problem behaviours — fewer outbursts, better impulse control.
Reduced emotional distress — lower levels of anxiety and worry.
Improved sense of self and agency — greater confidence and self-belief.
Improved connection — feeling more engaged and supported in school.
Improved learning environment — classrooms that feel safer and more supportive.
Improved academic outcomes — stronger focus, persistence, and achievement.
Improved SEL skills and attitudes — growth in empathy, gratitude, and resilience.

Mindful Junior's Programme Benefits
at a Glance

Emotional Intelligence & Regulation

— Expands emotional vocabulary and granularity

— Builds self-awareness and emotional insight

— Strengthens emotion regulation and impulse control

— Fosters healthy expression of feelings across developmental stages

Social Awareness & Relationship Skills

— Develops empathy and perspective-taking

— Improves social communication and conflict resolution

— Builds skills in friendship, peer connection, and teamwork

— Reinforces mutual respect, kindness, and social responsibility

Values & Character Formation

— Cultivates honesty, kindness, gratitude, and accountability

— Encourages ethical thinking and moral decision-making

— Builds integrity and courage to act in alignment with personal values

Creative, Reflective, and Mindful Learning

— Integrates storytelling, expressive arts, and movement for emotional processing

—Makes learning joyful, meaningful, and personally relevant

— Encourages present-moment awareness and grounding techniques

— Strengthens neural integration between thinking, feeling, and doing

Cognitive & Brain-Based Growth

— Enhances executive function (focus, cognitive flexibility, working memory)
— Strengthens prefrontal cortex development (attention, self-control)
— Reduces emotional reactivity (amygdala regulation through mindfulness)
— Encourages a growth mindset and adaptive thinking

Mental Wellbeing & Resilience

— Builds tools for stress management and emotional coping

— Fosters a stable and positive sense of self-worth

— Supports children through transitions, anxiety, or peer stress

— Provides a psychologically safe space for expression and processing

Long-Term Identity & Life Skills

— Develops responsible decision-making and self-reflection

— Shapes a well-rounded, emotionally grounded personality over time

— Supports identity formation with emotional grounding during adolescence

— Encourages independence, self-leadership, and emotional intelligence

Mindful Juniors & CASEL-Approved Best Practices

At Mindful Juniors, our sessions are based on the best practices found in CASEL-approved curricula. Skills are taught step by step across the term, moving from simple foundations to more complex applications. Each class is interactive and playful, using stories, games, role-play, and mindfulness activities to keep children actively engaged. We dedicate a full 60–75 minutes weekly to SEL, ensuring it is a focused part of learning rather than an add-on. Strategies are taught explicitly, such as breathing techniques, conflict resolution, and gratitude practices, so children can apply them with confidence. Learning is continually reinforced in real contexts, with facilitators guiding practice during group play, and further strengthened through parent feedback and reflection tools at home. This approach creates a safe, supportive environment where children can build skills that transfer beyond the classroom into daily life.

Developmental Alignment

Ages 5-7

Mini Mindfuls

Ages 8-10

Emotion Explorers

Ages 11-13

Mindful Tweens

Ages 14-16

Mind Wise Teenagers

Ages 5–6 (Mini Mindfuls)

At this age, children are learning to understand their feelings and relate to others. Through playful stories, movement, and mindfulness, we help them name emotions, regulate big feelings, and build kindness and patience—skills they’ll carry into school and friendships.

Ages 7–10 (Emotion Explorers)

As children begin forming deeper friendships and facing new challenges, we guide them in expressing emotions clearly, resolving conflicts, and managing disappointment or worry. They build emotional language, empathy, and tools for handling real-life ups and downs—with greater confidence.

Ages 11–13 (Mindful Tweens)

Tweens are navigating identity, peer pressure, and growing self-doubt. We support them in developing emotional clarity, values-based thinking, and resilience. They learn to manage inner self-talk, recognise triggers, and respond rather than react—preparing them for adolescence with self-trust and calm.

Ages 14–16 (Mind Wise Teens)

Teens begin asking deeper questions about who they are and who they want to become. Our programme offers emotional mastery, mental health literacy, and space to explore purpose, relationships, and boundaries. We also equip them with practical tools to manage academic pressure, perfectionism, and internal stress—helping them stay grounded and focused during a demanding life stage. Teens gain confidence in decision-making, self-leadership, and navigating life with integrity.

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Location

195 Pearl's Hill Terrace

#02-60

Singapore

Chinatown Exit C

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A subsidiary of The Conscious Mind Psychotherapy

Copyright 2025