Helping adolescents connect to themselves and others through self-awareness and healthy dialogue
Why are self-awareness and dialogue so important?
We are in the midst of a LONELINESS epidemic, which is hitting adolescents particularly hard (U.S. Surgeon General, 2023).
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All young people struggle with EMOTIONAL self-regulation, but this seems to have intensified since COVID-19 shut-downs.
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We are living in an increasingly DIVIDED world, with fewer and fewer opportunities to engage with those who hold different perspectives from our own.
How does VitalVoices help?
Talking through challenges and understanding someone else's perspective helps youth connect with OTHERS.
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Learning to be mindful of oneself and others helps a person feel CALMER and more SELF-REGULATED.
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Being able to dialogue productively are listen to others' perspectives are essential skills for a healthy DEMOCRACY.
I want this! What do I do?
For a limited time, we are offering VitalVoices for free to any organization or individual willing to administer surveys to students along with the curriculum. If you don’t want to participate in this research, you are still welcome to use the program for a low introductory cost!
Contact us to learn more.
VitalVoices teaches students to be better listeners
to themselves and others.
Students first learn how to notice their own thoughts, feelings, and body sensations.
Then, using our “Listening Toolkit,” students practice listening deeply and speaking kindly.
The curriculum guides students in building awareness of their capabilities, as well as those of their community.
This happens experientially, with repeated practice, through activities that are fun and connecting.
VitalVoices empowers students and teachers.
Students learn to facilitate aspects of the curriculum, making it an empowering and safe place to exercise their voice. Every lesson includes options for diversifying content so all learners can engage and benefit.
Teachers have autonomy with VitalVoices. Following a 16-lesson introductory unit, teachers can use lessons in any order they choose.
Who can use VitalVoices?
VitalVoices is designed for early adolescence (grades 4-8)
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Schools and out-of-school providers can use VitalVoices...
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For all students in content classes
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As an intervention with selected students
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In a homeroom or advisory period
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As part of a school-based mentoring program
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With a restorative justice initiative
How do I know this works?
Fourty-seven 5th students participated in just nine lessons of VitalVoices in 2024. Of the 41 students who completed a survey before and after the lessons...
47%
changed their belief that they are socially accepted.
This was an increase from 15% to 22% agreement.
Student belief that people at their school get along with each other increased significantly (p = .02).
26%
changed their perception that all students are treated the same, no matter their economic background.
This was an increase from 31% to 39% agreement.
31%
changed their perception that they get along with those different from themselves.
This was a statistically significant increase from 54% to 71% agreement (p = .03) .​
16%
changed their perception that students compliment others' accomplishments.
This was an increase from 51% to 59% agreement.
Student and Teacher Perspectives
I liked learning to talk
to people and
understand the situation further to make a stronger bond.
5th grade student
​I liked being able to talk
and connect with my classmates.
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5th grade student
It felt like the lessons were easily digestible while still delivering really important social-emotional skills for them.
Co-Teacher ​
What’s in the VitalVoices curriculum?
VitalVoices is aligned with CASEL’s SEL framework and the developmental needs of early adolescents.
VitalVoices has four units:
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An introductory unit for new students
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Connection with Self
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Connection with Others
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Connection with Community
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Three years of lessons allow you to deliver up to two lessons per week 32 weeks a year.​
We have everything you will need!
Teacher instructions, student cards (physical and virtual), handouts, and presentations.
VitalVoices is customizable – we designed it to be flexible to work for YOU and YOUR STUDENTS
We will work with you and your school to customize VitalVoices based on your needs.
We have different delivery options, and we can customize the lessons you receive to meet the specific needs - and strengths - of your students.
The VitalVoices Story
VitalVoices was born from the experience of an educator and researcher.
For ten years, Georgia Heyward was a bilingual teacher and administrator. In the classroom, she used self-awareness techniques informed by her Buddhist practice. As a community mediator, she uses simple communication techniques to help adults overcome conflict and better understand one another.
During COVID-19, Georgia was studying the impact of the pandemic on student well-being. Concerned, she learned about adolescent social-emotional needs and the type of curriculum that best supports young teens.
These ideas were refined after talking to teachers & students.
At Fig Education Lab, we interviewed school leaders, teachers, counselors, and — importantly — adolescents themselves. We talked with students and educators from a range of backgrounds -- in public and independent schools, from urban and rural areas, and across cultural and ideological backgrounds.
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We then created a team composed of a special education teacher, former classroom teachers, and a social worker. Together, we translated these experiences into VitalVoices.