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Bullying and social disconnection have been shaping school culture for years. Add the constant stream of information and overstimulation from excessive screen time, and it's no wonder many young people are reactive and shut down before the day’s even half done. The good news is, we’re not powerless.
What children are missing is the space and skills to process what they’re already carrying. Emotional outbursts stem from the inability to pause, name a feeling, or show empathy. This is where mindful play helps.
Within a game, kids can slow down enough to recognise emotions in themselves and others. They aren’t told to “show empathy”, but they experience it through shared moments that feel safe and engaging.
This week, we'll explore mindful activities that serve as powerful pedagogical tools to ease cognitive overload and integrate SEL into everyday practice. Let's dive in!
Daily Mission Cards
Sometimes the simplest activities spark the deepest lessons. When children share food, they’re practising generosity and empathy in a way no worksheet can teach. This activity is a perfect example.
Today's mission: designate a “Snack Bowl Friday.” Each student brings one type of snack: fruit slices, pretzels, popcorn, or even chopped veggies. By the end, everyone shares from what they’ve all created together. It’s playful, and it reinforces that what we contribute can shape a shared experience.
That’s SEL in action, not through lectures, but through lived, joyful practice!
Want more ways to weave kindness and connection into everyday life? Explore the Kindness & Happiness Mission Cards!
Empathy Uno
When kids don’t have space to name their emotions, those feelings spill out as outbursts or withdrawal. Empathy Uno is a playful way to bring that emotional tracking into the open.
Here’s how it works: you play Uno as usual, but each colour and card comes with an empathy challenge. A red card might invite you to share a story of anger or love, a skip card might ask you to talk about a time you felt excluded, while a wild card could spark reflection on how you managed big life changes.
What makes it powerful is that when players share, they start to see emotions not as problems to hide but as experiences everyone has. The group builds empathy and a deeper connection without feeling like it’s a “lesson.” It’s play that opens up space for reflection.
Sign up here to download the game PDF. You’ll be surprised at how quickly the game turns into meaningful conversations!
Using the RULER model to improve Emotional Intelligence: My journey of personal and professional implementation
So often, students aren’t “acting out” just to misbehave. Their bodies are giving signals they don’t yet know how to read.
In this course, Rachel Ford shares how she has used the RULER model (Recognising, Understanding, Labelling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions) not only for her own well-being, but also as a practical framework in both classroom and PE settings.
You’ll come away with concrete ways to help kids pause before reacting, identify what the body is telling them, and channel emotions into healthier responses. Classrooms with emotional intelligence grow alongside academic learning.
Already signed up? You can watch Rachel’s session here to see how RULER can become a daily tool for building emotional resilience for your students and for you!
An Amazing Week at NIST International School
Three incredible days at NIST International School, Thailand, brought together a whole community of students, teachers, parents, and leaders through the power of play.
From delivering our Play-based Agency program with student leaders, to running Next Generation Leadership workshops, to keynotes and parent sessions on screen time and supporting senior students, every moment was filled with energy, connection, and growth.
This third visit in nine years was a true reminder of the lasting friendships and meaningful connections built over time. A heartfelt thank you to everyone at NIST for making it such a rich and inspiring experience.
Join us on this global journey of joy and connection! If you want to bring The School of Play to your community, fill out the form here ➡
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