Resources for parents and carers to support children’s emotional, social, and self-awareness development at every stage.
Our Approach
Every child develops emotional understanding, self-awareness, and social skills in layers. Just like learning to read or write, certain foundations need to be in place before more complex skills can be meaningfully explored.
To help parents choose the right resources at the right time, all of our work is guided by a tiered developmental framework. This framework is inspired by hierarchical models of human development. It identifies where a child is currently functioning and which types of support are most appropriate.
Why this matters
Children are sometimes expected to reflect on emotions, relationships, or identity before they have fully developed the underlying skills. When this happens, activities can feel confusing, frustrating, or even distressing. It is not because the child is unwilling; rather, the task is developmentally mismatched.
Our approach recognises that higher-level reflection depends on secure foundational skills. If those foundations are not yet in place, it can be difficult for a child to successfully engage with resources designed for later stages of development.
This framework is not about labels or limits. Instead, it is about meeting children where they are and supporting progress in a way that feels achievable and safe.
The Developmental Levels We Use
Each level builds upon the one below it.
Roots – Foundational Level
At this stage, children can follow simple two-step instructions and understand basic concepts of family and belonging. To support this, we focus on predictability, safety, and secure relationships.
Trunk – Emerging Awareness Level
Children begin to make simple plans, recognise basic emotions, and develop bodily awareness. Additionally, resources at this stage encourage emotional vocabulary, early self-regulation, and noticing internal states.
Branches – Reflective & Relational Level
Children can talk about past experiences, reflect on events, and discuss feelings with increasing coherence. As a result, they begin to understand relationships beyond the core family unit. Support at this level emphasizes reflection, emotional insight, and social understanding.
Canopy – Self & Society Level
Children can problem-solve, explore aspects of identity, understand social expectations, and engage with broader questions about the world. Together, these resources encourage deeper thinking, perspective-taking, and meaning-making.
