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Introducing Michelle Kinder
Michelle Kinder, M.Ed., LPC, serves as the Chief Mental Health Officer at Tacky Box. With 25 years of experience, she has transformed lives and organizations through her dedication to social-emotional health and leadership. As the former Executive Director of the Momentous Institute, Michelle led a century-old non-profit to national recognition. Her deep expertise and passion make her an invaluable part of our mission to nurture kindness in every child.
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Tacky Box fosters a safe environment
Tacky Box educates children on how to engage with others in ways that reinforce signs of safety. It’s characters serve as role models for healthy relationships, and the physical Tacky Box offers tangible practice.
Children begin observing interpersonal interactions and making thoughtful choices about their preferences. Over time, these insights shape behavior and promote cultures of kindness within schools and communities.
Additionally, Tacky Box empowers children to trust their feelings and reactions when confronted with unkind words and actions, allowing them to make personal choices not to participate.
Tacky Box reinforces kindness and other prosocial behaviors
Kindness goes beyond boosting the happiness of both the giver and the receiver; it has a contagious quality, creating a ripple effect often extending far beyond the initial act.
Surprisingly, Amit Kumar and Nicholas Epley’s research suggests people tend to underestimate the impact of their acts of kindness. Recognizing this significance is crucial because failing to do so may cause us to miss opportunities to spread kindness, inadvertently reducing the well-being of those we encounter.
Tacky Box guides children in forging new neural pathways, helping them understand how kind actions affect their emotions and the feelings of others. The program encourages intentional kindness and holds children accountable for avoiding 'tacky' or unkind behavior.
Why Michelle Kinder Matters
Michelle Kinder is not just an expert; she’s a trailblazer in social-emotional health and leadership. Her contributions to the field and her leadership at the Momentous Institute have garnered national attention. Michelle’s dynamic speaking engagements, backed by years of experience and numerous accolades, make her an essential voice in promoting kindness and emotional well-being at Tacky Box.
Michelle Kinder: Championing Kindness
At Tacky Box, we are privileged to have Michelle Kinder, M.Ed., LPC, guiding our mission. With over 25 years of experience in social-emotional health and leadership, Michelle’s work has been spotlighted in esteemed publications and platforms. She is a sought-after speaker who connects deeply with diverse audiences, inspiring and equipping them to foster a kinder world for children.
The Case For Tacky Box
In today's rapidly changing world, childhood presents its own set of challenges. Children must navigate complex issues like the pandemic, school shootings, and natural disasters, all while dealing with pervasive problems like bullying and exclusion.
Concerningly, recent studies have shown a significant impact on children's well-being.
By 2020, 9% of children (5.6 million) were diagnosed with anxiety, and 4% (2.4 million) with depression. A 2021 global meta-analysis revealed symptoms of depression and anxiety doubled during the pandemic. Given these alarming trends, taking action now is imperative.
To address these concerns effectively
We must identify engaging, scalable interventions that garner support from educators, counselors, administrators, and parents. Peer interactions and the school environment are critical to a child's well-being and long-term success. Tacky Box stands out in meeting these criteria and encouraging healthy interactions.
Tacky Box promotes a more respectful culture, empowering children with practical tools to embrace kindness daily—which is no small thing, as positive social interactions act as a protective factor against stressors, while unfavorable exchanges can magnify risks.
Tacky Box captures the imagination of children
The significance of Tacky Box captivating children's imagination cannot be overstated; it sets it apart. When an intervention delivers an immersive and compelling experience for children and seamlessly integrates research findings with invaluable insights from parents, teachers, and counselors, it merits our utmost consideration. Tacky Box stands as a prime example of such a meticulously crafted approach.
Engaging actors and animated characters vividly illustrate how our interactions shape our experiences. Children witness the profound lesson that unkind or "tacky" words and actions hurt people and relationships. They also see how kind words and actions foster safe relationships and create a ripple effect that strengthens communities.
Tacky Box enhances emotional intelligence
Emotional Intelligence encompasses our ability to understand, manage emotions, and navigate relationships. Kindness and other prosocial behaviors, which Tacky Box models, are integral components of emotional intelligence.
Importantly, Tacky Box’s focus on emotional intelligence ignites academic success by creating an environment conducive to optimal learning.
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