Parents are Children's First Teachers

Learn how to support your child’s social and emotional development with our evidence-based tools and trainings.

Welcome to Your Parenting Journey

Parents are Children’s First Teachers. From the day they are born, children learn through relationships with their caregivers. Through these relationships, children can learn the skills of emotional intelligence–one of the strongest predictors of success and well-being. But there is no manual for parenting, let alone teaching kids to develop emotional intelligence… Until now.

Children's Books

Activity Library

Tools

Online Courses

Curriculum

Expert Tips

Featured Resources for Parents

Check out our featured resources for simple ways to promote healthy brain development and layer in mental health skill-building, and help provide your children with the building blocks of emotional competence.

Children’s Book Series

Join Hemmy and Shemmy to learn, grow, and develop as they process and explore the world of big emotions. This book series aims to support young children’s mental health through storytelling about complex topics.

“Parents can use the ECSELent Adventure book series as a tool to discuss difficult topics with their kids in positive and age-appropriate ways.”

Activities and Lessons for Home

Access our full library of activities and lesson plans to use for homeschooling or as a complement to school activities during family time together.

Hear From Our Parents

“It (ECSEL) makes them better students.
It makes them better people frankly.”

“I believe that the begin to ECSEL program has provided my daughter with the tools of emotional intelligence for her to succeed…. If she is learning that at a young age of four years old, then I believe she has started on the right path."

“One thing begin to ECSEL taught us is that there’s a really strong link between social learning, emotional learning, and cognitive development. As he becomes stronger emotionally, it enables him to remain focused, so he can take in information. I am really excited about that.”

More Resources

Housman Institute’s proprietary ECSEL (Emotional, Cognitive, and Social Early Learning) approach is proven to support both caregivers and children’s emotional well-being. Check out more resources inspired by ECSEL!

Make the Most of Storytime

An online course that helps caregivers learn how to use children’s books to teach emotional intelligence.

Our Emotions Cards

Parents’ favourite tool for emotional knowledge and expression.

ECSELent Adventures Curriculum Kit

Great for homeschooling! Our emotional intelligence curriculum engages children with relatable scenarios and puppets on various topics.

Expert Tips and Insights

Our blog includes a range of resources and tips for achieving self-regulation and teaching it to children. You can subscribe to get updates right in your inbox.

Share with Your Child's School

Considering bringing ECSEL into your children’s school?
Don’t hesitate to share our website with your school and district!