Listening Strengthens Inner Wellbeing: What Module 4 Teaches Us About Supporting Young People

Listening is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support children’s inner wellbeing. It costs nothing, requires no special tools, and yet has an extraordinary impact on how young people understand themselves, navigate emotions, and build a sense of meaning.

Module 4 of the EMBRACE Project focuses exactly on that: spiritual and inner wellbeing. It introduces practical ways for children and teenagers to feel grounded, balanced, and connected with themselves and with others.

Why Listening Matters

The European Commission recently highlighted this topic in its World Children’s Day message, reminding us that listening to children is essential. When adults take children’s views seriously, we gain genuine insight into their needs, challenges, hopes, and everyday experiences.

This principle also drives the EU Children’s Participation Platform, part of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child. It ensures that young people have a meaningful voice in shaping decisions that affect their lives.

EMBRACE follows the same approach.
Each module (including Module 4) is shaped by feedback from kids who learn from the modules, and the input we gained from the Children’s forum, where young people were asked directly about their challenges and expectations. Their input informs every educational tool developed in the project.

What Module 4 Offers

Module 4 explores inner and spiritual well-being in a down-to-earth, accessible way. It focuses on:

• Emotional balance
• Understanding personal values
• Finding moments of calm and reflection
• Simple grounding techniques
• Building meaning and inner stability

For every module, we develop material for three age groups: elementary, middle, and high school.

One example is the Module 4 video on values for elementary school kids (aged 6-10),  which introduces everyday practices that help young people reflect on what guides their choices and relationships.

📺 Watch the video in English or Romanian: 

EN: https://youtu.be/1FN72URdmsw

RO: https://youtu.be/6VTbTAwsrv4 

Inner Wellbeing Starts with Everyday Practices

Parents, teachers, psychologists, and youth workers often ask what helps children feel steady and secure. Module 4 summarises insights collected during consultations and project work:

• quiet time and slow routines
• validating children’s feelings
• regular check-ins during the day
• rituals that bring predictability
• journaling, drawing, or creative play
• mindful breathing or grounding exercises

This list is not final; every child is different. But one theme appears across countries and age groups: children feel calmer when they feel heard.

A Shared Message Across Europe

The alignment between the European Commission’s message and the EMBRACE methodology is not accidental. Both underline that children’s well-being depends on trust and meaningful communication. Whether at home, in school, or in policy frameworks, listening is the foundation of support.

What Helps the Children You Know?

One simple question remains at the heart of this topic:
Which practices help the children and young people around you feel calm and grounded?
Parents, educators, counsellors, and youth workers all bring valuable experience, and sharing it helps strengthen wellbeing at the community level.

Learn more about the EMBRACE project and explore our modules!

Social Media and My Wellbeing 📱🌱

Have you ever thought about how social media affects the way young people feel and connect with the world? 

As part of the EMBRACE Future Public Awareness Campaign #KnowEmotions, we explore how young people experience the digital world and how emotions are shaped online.

Children and teenagers today grow up surrounded by digital realities that deeply shape their well-being. Social media can be a place of creativity and friendship, but it can also bring challenges that affect emotional stability and relationships.

Our new animation video takes us on a journey through Alex’s journey with social media.

Like many teens, Alex faces the challenges of social media. Step by step, he learns how to use it wisely, expressing himself creatively while protecting his well-being.

🎬Animation Video: 

🇬🇧https://youtu.be/Ze2gp7kjSak

🇷🇴 https://youtu.be/rFDCA0AXyAk 

The workshop “Social Media and My Wellbeing” during the Children’s Forum 2025, explored how young people experience the online world, how emotions are shaped in digital spaces, and what tools they need to stay safe and emotionally strong.

This isn’t just about raising awareness, it’s about giving children the space to share and build skills that will help them navigate social platforms in a healthier way. Together with parents, educators, and policymakers, we are working to make emotional literacy and mental health a shared priority.

Together, we are building brighter futures for children.

Children’s mental health is everyone’s responsibility – let’s work together to nurture their happiness!

🌙 Discovering Inner Values: Introducing Module 4 of EMBRACE

Young people grow not only through academic learning, but also through understanding their emotions, values, and connections with others. Decades of research in positive psychology confirm that these socio-emotional competencies are critical predictors of long-term success and well-being, often more so than IQ alone. Module 4 of EMBRACE places this inner development at the center.

This module focuses on spiritual well-being in a secular, psychological sense. It is a dedicated space where young people can explore what truly matters to them, how they relate to others, and how they can build meaningful, healthy relationships.

At its core, Module 4 introduces practical techniques grounded in scientific understanding:

• Inner values: Understanding what guides decisions, behavior, and identity. Psychologically, aligning behavior with core values (value congruence) is directly linked to higher self-efficacy (belief in one’s own ability) and reduced anxiety.
• Emotional literacy: Naming emotions and learning to communicate them. When a young person can clearly say, “I feel frustration and disappointment” instead of just “I’m angry,” they are using a technique called affect labeling. fMRI studies have shown that this simple act engages the prefrontal cortex (the brain’s executive control center) to decrease the intensity of strong feelings.
• Compassion, generosity, gratitude: Building a mindset that supports empathy and inclusion. Think of this as emotional strength training. These are cornerstones of positive psychology; the deliberate practice of gratitude has been proven to literally rewire the brain, increasing gray matter density and naturally boosting feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. 
• Honesty and forgiveness: Important tools for personal and relational growth. From a psychological perspective, forgiveness is a form of emotional regulation that reduces chronic stress. It’s a conscious choice that lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) levels and improves cardiovascular health.
• Social inclusion: Recognizing and celebrating differences, helping students form broader group identities that foster tolerance and reduce ‘us vs. them’ biases.
• Healthy relationships: Understanding boundaries, respect, and support, equipping students with the tools to build secure, reciprocal bonds with peers, siblings, and parents.
• Emotional regulation: Practical techniques for balance in daily life. We teach students specific, practical strategies, such as cognitive reappraisal (reframing a stressful thought from “This is a disaster” to “This is a challenge I can handle”) and mindfulness exercises. Research confirms these are powerful tools for strengthening resilience.

Through guided reflection, short discussions, creative tasks, and group activities, students are encouraged to think more deeply about themselves and the world around them.

The module helps them recognise strengths they may not see, express emotions they often keep inside, and build the confidence to act in alignment with their values. By nurturing emotional and spiritual well-being, Module 4 supports young people in becoming more grounded, empathetic, and connected, both to themselves and to others, preparing them not just for a career but for a thriving life.

Source:

• Lieberman, M. D., Eisenberger, N. I., Crockett, M. J., Tom, S. M., Pfeifer, J. H., & Way, B. M. (2007). Putting feelings into words: Affect labeling disrupts amygdala activity in response to affective stimuli. Psychological Science, 18(5), 421‑428. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01916.x? 

Hölzel, B. K., Carmody, J., Vangel, M., Congleton, C., Yerramsetti, S. M., Gard, T., & Lazar, S. W. (2011). Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 36‑43. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21071182/

From Idea to Action – Building Real Solutions 💡✨ – Empowering Young Voices at the Children’s Forum 2025

Have you ever wondered what happens when children and teenagers are given the tools to turn their ideas into real change?

At the Children’s Forum 2025, the workshop “From Idea to Action – Building Real Solutions” empowered young people to move beyond conversation and create tangible solutions for their schools and communities. 

Children and teenagers aren’t just participants – they create solutions that shape schools, families, and communities. With creativity, courage, and collaboration, they show how emotional well-being can grow. In this video, Leo shares his ideas with his friends, and together, they turn them into real solutions.

By transforming ideas into action, this forum workshop highlighted the importance of participation, creativity, and resilience in supporting mental health and building environments where children can thrive.

🎬 Watch the full animation video here: 

EN: https://youtu.be/bAksfluocBE

RO: https://youtu.be/f1Y8OBHrd3M 

All EMBRACE Future partners (Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC), and Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EAC))  were present at the forum to share their expertise and brought local experiences into the conversation, ensuring that young people’s perspectives remain at the heart of the process.

Designing Safer, More Supportive Schools – Insights from the EMBRACE Future Forum

At the EMBRACE Future PROJECT Forum in Bucharest, children and teenagers were invited to speak openly about the pressures and emotional challenges they face in school. The result was a powerful reminder of how much insight young people have when we give them a safe platform to share their experiences.

The Emotional Landscape: What Young People Shared

Students described challenges that echo national research in Romania:

– loneliness

– fear of failure

– difficulty building trust with teachers

– pressure from exams

– feeling misunderstood

– cyberbullying and offline bullying

Data from the INI Institute (2024) shows that nearly one-third of Romanian students report experiencing physical or psychological abuse, and cyberbullying is rising, contributing to higher rates of anxiety and depression.

Student-Designed Solutions

Rather than focusing only on challenges, young people proposed clear, realistic ideas:

• A weekly day for emotional reset, collaboration, and rest
• A student advisor to enable direct communication with the Ministry of Education
• Better access to psychologists and counselors through school–NGO partnerships
• Peer-counseling programs and dedicated calm rooms for emotional support

These proposals align with research in education and developmental psychology, which highlights that student involvement in decision-making can improve well-being, motivation, and school climate.

How EMBRACE Responds

EMBRACE Future integrates these insights into its educational materials and emotional literacy resources, aiming to strengthen empathy, emotional awareness, and community support in schools across Europe.

Listening Is the First Step

Young people are active contributors with valuable ideas that the school system can make use of.

They’re not waiting for change.

They’re imagining it and communicating.

Our responsibility is to listen and act.

Source: INI Institute. (2024, April 18). Mapping Youth Mental Health Landscapes

💭 What Are Children Most Afraid Of?

⇒ At the recent EMBRACE Future Forum in Bucharest, children and teenagers opened up about their greatest fears.

Their voices revealed ten common fears:

1. Not having anyone to talk to when they feel unwell
2. Not being heard or understood by others
3. Feeling inadequate or not good enough
4. Difficulty building positive relationships with teachers
5. Failing exams
6. Experiencing bullying without support from peers
7. Being isolated or rejected for sharing their feelings
8. Not being accepted by friends or judged for who they are
9. Difficulty coping with change or new challenges
10. Feeling that their emotions are not valid or important

These fears are not signs of weakness, they just show us what children need most, and that is understanding, safety, and connection.

Our EMBRACE characters portrayed lead the way and show us how it’s done:

🦉 Wise Owl helps Sparky overcome his fear of jumping over the river.

📚 Alex+ and Alex study to overcome the fear of failing in their next test.

💬 Maya+ listens to Maya, who is scared that her feelings aren’t valid.

🌱 So what can we do in real life?

During the Forum, young people proposed creative, actionable ideas to address these challenges:
→ A weekly day for relaxation and team-building activities
→ A student advisor at the Ministry of Education to ensure young voices reach decision-makers
→ More school psychologists and counselors through school–NGO collaborations
→ Peer counseling programs and dedicated mental health spaces in schools

Global research shows that stronger school-community collaboration and improved access to counseling services can significantly enhance students’ mental health and academic success (Source).

Each proposal brings us closer to schools that nurture care, empathy, and trust.

Learn more: embrace-future.eu

My Voice in School ~ Every Child Deserves to Be Heard

As part of the EMBRACE Future Public Awareness Campaign #KnowEmotions, Workshop 2 explored how children can express their feelings and be heard in schools. Because every voice matters, and every emotion deserves space. Instead of silence or fear, workshop 2 helped children discover the power of speaking up, sharing emotions, and building resilience.

Our new animation video brings this to life, showing that when the voices of young people are heard, schools transform into places of trust, care, and growth.

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eG56HQQQH1c

EMBRACE CERV PROJECT – Children Forum 2025 | Oct 17, Romania

The Children Forum 2025 united educators, policymakers, families, children, and teenagers in Romania to strengthen emotional well-being, digital literacy, and critical thinking. Together with our partners, we are building environments where every child can thrive.

All EMBRACE CERV PROJECT partners (Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC) and Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EAC)) were present at the forum and shared their expertise, bringing local experiences into the conversation, ensuring that young people’s perspectives remain at the heart of the process.

What helps kids and teenagers feel heard in school? Watch the video and join the conversation. Thanks to our partners across Europe for making this dialogue possible!

Don’t Just Tell Me It Will Be OKAY! 🌱🤝

As part of the Children Forum 2025 ateliers, children and teenagers explored emotional awareness, resilience, and how to express feelings in a safe space.

Parents, educators, policymakers, and youth gathered in Bucharest to share tools and experiences for promoting emotional well-being and digital balance.

During the workshop “Don’t Just Tell Me It Will Be OKAY”, children and young people explored how to understand and manage emotions like stress and anxiety. Together, they created their own “well-being maps”. Colorful, personal guides showing what helps them feel safe and connected. Through creative exercises such as rainbow breathing, happiness boxes, and grounding techniques, participants learned simple ways to take care of their mental health and support one another.

📽️ In this new animation (created by Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EAC)) Leo works through his emotions on his mental health journey, he is supported by his friends and guided by his inner voices, Maya+ and Leo+.

➡︎ https://youtu.be/3Nj2G3A5zAQ 

Our new EMBRACE CERV PROJECT animation shows what it really means to support young people’s mental health.

Our Romanian partners Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO), and Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC)contributed their experience and ensured that diverse voices were represented in every discussion.

Mental health is everyone’s responsibility. Together, we are building brighter futures for young people. Join us in this journey to create nurturing environments for children to thrive!

📲 Learn more at embrace-future.eu. 

More information about the Children’s Forum: https://embrace-future.eu/participation-is-a-right-not-a-privilege/ 

https://embrace-future.eu/very-impactful-forum-event/

🎭 Module 3: Emotions & Expression-Guess the Emotion!

How do young people learn to recognize and express the complex world of emotions? In the EMBRACE Future project, we turn emotional awareness into a hands-on, creative experience!

Module 3: Emotions & Expression, designed for all three age groups, helps young people explore how feelings can be communicated through movement and collaboration (often without saying a single word).

The Middle School Challenge: Statue of Emotion

In the middle school version of the module, the activity is an engaging challenge:

• Teams of Four: Learners work together, each taking on a specific role:
  • The Sculptor: Secretly chooses a card with a core emotion (such as happiness, anger, fear, or surprise). They then subtly model the facial expression and posture of The Statue to represent that emotion, strictly without speaking.
  • The Statue: Holds the pose given by the sculptor.
  • The Observers (Two people): Take careful notes on all the ways the emotion is being expressed, from the tilt of the head to the tension in the hands.
• The Guessing Game: At the end, other teams try to identify the emotion expressed by The Statue. The observers’ detailed notes are then used to check the expression, highlighting the non-verbal cues that build emotional literacy.

This activity is inspired by Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions, which we explored in detail in our previous blog post Feelings Have Layers: Exploring the Plutchik Wheel of Emotions. The wheel is a powerful tool for visualizing the eight core emotions and how they can vary in intensity and even blend (for example, Joy + Trust = Love).

Take the Challenge: Guess the Emotion!

We’re bringing this activity to you! The images below feature our middle school characters: Maya, Maya+, Leo, and Leo+, expressing core emotions from the module.

👉 Can you guess what emotions Maya, Maya+, Leo, and Leo+ are feeling in the photos?

Answer in our polls:

• LinkedIn:
• Facebook:
• Instagram:
• X:

The emotions expressed by the characters, in the order of the images, align with one of the options from our latest social media poll.

• Option 1: Happiness-Fear-Anger-Disgust
• Option 2: Joy-Sadness-Surprise-Anger
• Option 3: Boredom-Fear-Sadness-Disgust
• Option 4: Fear-Interest-Boredom-Trust

By exploring these fundamental emotions, young people build empathy and the skills for strong mental well-being.

🎯 Creating Safe Spaces for Young People’s Mental Health

How do we help every child and teenager feel safe, heard, and supported – not just in classrooms, but in entire communities?

At the EMBRACE Future Children’s Forum (17-18 October, Bucharest), children, teenagers, educators, and policymakers joined forces to explore practical ways to improve youth mental health.

The message was clear: lasting change begins with safe spaces and a culture of care.

What we learned from the discussions:
• Safe Spaces → Create environments where children and teens can share emotions without fear or judgment.
• Community Care Networks → Connect schools, families, NGOs & health professionals to ensure no child is left behind.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration → Encourage teamwork between teachers, psychologists, and policymakers to address bullying, poverty, and stress holistically.

🌱 Young people’s ideas for building a “culture of care”:
• A weekly day for relaxation & team-building activities
• A Ministry of Education advisor to facilitate student-minister dialogue
• More school psychologists & counselors through school-NGO collaborations
• Peer counseling by trained students in dedicated school well-being spaces

These proposals remind us that mental health is more than the absence of illness; it’s the presence of wellbeing, empathy, and connection.

“The Forum was a magical experience, full of light and energy! It was about learning, but most of all about connection. Every moment spent here was an opportunity to grow and to share an extraordinary experience. I met many amazing, energetic people and felt part of a strong team. Communication flowed naturally, and I learned so much.

I’m so happy I was part of it! I’m leaving more inspired, braver, and deeply grateful to the organisers. It’s an event I would gladly attend again anytime!” 😊✨

– A young participant’s heartfelt message from the Forum

Disclaimer: The images and videos accompanying this post have been created and are used in compliance with the legal provisions on the protection of personal data and the right to one’s own image, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and the relevant national legislation. The publication of photographs featuring minors has been carried out exclusively on the basis of the express, free, and informed consent of their parents or legal representatives. The images are used exclusively for the purpose of promoting the activities carried out within the Embrace project and are not used in other contexts or for commercial purposes. The reproduction, distribution, transmission, or use in any form of these images by third parties is strictly prohibited without the prior, express, and written consent of the rights holders.