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Public release by the Renée Crown Wellness Institute (University of Colorado Boulder) early 2024. InsideU is designed to be broadly accessible and scalable to enrich SEL curriculums globally. https://insideu.colorado.edu/
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Globally, a gap exists between the need for social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and availability of effective, accessible resources.
SEL programs often fall short in some ways, including:
• over-reliance on outdated learning strategies
• over-emphasis on schools in urban/suburban areas, and children from middle to upper-class families
• lack of diversity in delivery methods, often without inclusion of youth themselves, parents or other caregivers
• limited integration from evidence-based psychological practices
• design or content that does not sufficiently centre or invest the user
InsideU is a preventative solution aimed at building lifelong capabilities to address this gap.
InsideU equips children with the skills to sustain social and emotional wellness over their lifetime.
It is a resource caregivers can use to help young people explore complex emotional concepts and real-world dilemmas. It also helps to provide a framework for them to communicate their emotions and perspectives with their peers and caregivers.
Despite complex topics and academic frameworks, at its core are philosophies of fun and empowerment. The platform’s design leverages familiar characters, narratives and stems to engage youth with the lessons through curiosity and play. alongside familiar characters and scenes from the Disney/Pixar film Inside Out.
InsideU is an innovative approach to learning about emotions through interactive storytelling and play. It facilitates young people and adults in conversations about growing up, emotions and the construction of mental and emotional resilience.
It was important that InsideU reflected the perspectives of its audience, and presented challenges they were interested in.
The final product is the result of an extensive co-design process, with multiple rounds of collaboration and testing, prototyping and iteration, and oversight from psychologists and researchers.
The platform is designed to be scalable with more content and features to cover the breadth of SEL education.
Three ways to get involved:
Choose the level that fits.
