Primary School Programs

Kids are not just the future, but also the present. They hold within themselves the potential to shape and create a better tomorrow, and it is our responsibility to nurture and empower them to achieve their full potential.

Primary School SEL Programs

Healthier Hearts & Lighter Minds

Healthier Hearts and Lighter Minds aims to build social and emotional literacy in primary schools for students, teachers and families.

Healthier Hearts & Lighter Minds (HHLM) is a leading Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and wellbeing program designed specifically for Australian primary school students. Developed by Mindfull Aus in 2016, HHLM empowers children with essential skills in emotional resilience, empathy, and self-awareness—helping them thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

The program begins with a focus on social-emotional literacy, emotional regulation, and empathy, and as students progress, they explore deeper topics like making positive choices, managing behaviours, anxiety, embarrassment, failure and showing up as their best selves—even in the face of setbacks and challenges.

At the heart of the HHLM program is a dynamic in-person workshop, delivered by expert Mindfull Aus facilitators—trained internationally, including at prestigious institutions such as Stanford University and California State. These facilitators are World Class in Quantum Learning and youth engagement, delivering content that connects with all learning styles: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. No child is ever left behind.

The program also includes a Victorian-aligned curriculum with ready-to-use, interactive lesson plans to support classroom learning. To maximise impact, teachers and parents receive personal and professional development, equipping them with the tools to build emotionally literate environments and continue meaningful conversations at home and in school.

Since its launch, HHLM has been delivered in over 50 schools across Victoria and NSW, reaching more than 10,000 students by the end of 2023—with thousands more joining in 2024 & 2025.

Our vision goes beyond the classroom—we’re shaping a future where young Australians are emotionally equipped to face life’s ups and downs, make compassionate choices, and become confident, kind leaders in their communities. Together, we’re helping our young champions grow into resilient, self-loving individuals who believe in who they are and who they can become.

Because kids are incredible imitators—and when we show up for them with courage and compassion, they learn to do the same.

Children's emotions are like the weather,

constantly changing and sometimes unpredictable.

As adults, it's our role to provide them with

a safe and supportive environment

where they can learn to recognize and

express their feelings in a healthy way.

About the program

Children Learn by Watching—So Let’s Lead the Way

Children are extraordinary imitators. As parents, carers, educators, and community role models, we carry the responsibility to model the behaviours we wish to see in them. Our young champions have bright and meaningful futures ahead—and just like our program does, we must continue to guide and support them in becoming more of who they truly are.

Expert-Led, Globally Trained Facilitators

All Mindfull Aus primary facilitators have undergone world-class training in the United States at Stanford University or California State University, completing over 300 hours in Quantum Learning—a globally recognised framework for engaging and educating young minds.

This specialised training equips our facilitators to create highly inclusive and interactive learning environments that cater to all three primary learning styles:

  • Visual

  • Auditory

  • Kinesthetic

This approach ensures that every student is engaged, every learning style is supported, and no young person is left behind.

Co-Developed with Experts and Community Voices

All HHLM program content/delivery and research/development is co-designed with the guidance of mental health professionals, educators, researchers, and young people themselves. We proudly collaborate with:

  • Youth Engagement Project

  • Youth Impact Foundation

  • The Mindful Hub

  • Social Outcomes Lab (SOULAB)

  • 180 Degrees Consulting (Melbourne University)

These valued partnerships ensure our content is not only evidence-based and developmentally appropriate but also deeply relevant to the lived experiences of today’s youth.

Evaluation & Effectiveness

Key Outcomes

Mindfull Aus commissioned the Social Outcomes Lab (SOULAB or SouLab) to undertake an independent impact evaluation of the Healthier Hearts and Lighter Minds (HHLM) program. The evaluation includes an outcome, economic and, process evaluation as well as a scalability assessment.

Evaluating the Impact of Healthier Hearts and Lighter Minds

Mindfull Aus engaged the Social Outcomes Lab (SOULAB) to conduct an independent impact evaluation of the Healthier Hearts and Lighter Minds (HHLM) program from 2022 to 2024. This comprehensive assessment included outcome, economic, and process evaluations, along with a review of the program's potential for scalability.

Rooted in research on emotional literacy and wellbeing, HHLM aims to strengthen emotional regulation skills—an essential factor in supporting positive mental health outcomes. Numerous studies (Denham et al., 2009; Shah & Gupta, 2022; Khan, 2016; Morrish et al., 2018) highlight the strong link between emotional literacy and improved wellbeing.

SouLab’s outcome evaluation in alignment with the above research concludes that the Healthier Hearts and Lighter Minds program demonstrates sufficient evidence that the program is having a statistically significant impact on improving social and emotional literacy

Key Findings

Compared to a control group, participants in the HHLM program (n = 228) reported statistically significant improvements three months after completing the program. These were measured using the Emotional Expression Scale for Children (EESC):

  • 8.2% improvement in knowing how to talk about emotions when upset

  • 7.7% improvement in finding the words to describe their feelings

  • 5.9% reduction in the tendency to hide feelings when sad or upset

  • 4.8% increase in openness to sharing feelings instead of keeping them inside

  • 4.7% decrease in discomfort when talking about emotions or showing feelings

  • 4.2% improvement in expressing feelings about someone

These results demonstrate the program’s measurable impact on emotional literacy and underscore its value in promoting mental wellbeing in young people.

Sustained Impact Across Time

Among HHLM participants who completed all three surveys throughout the evaluation period, clear improvements were seen in their emotional awareness, help-seeking behaviours, and ability to manage challenging emotions. These students showed:

  • 19.6% improvement in finding the words to describe their emotions

  • 12.3% improvement in having techniques to manage anger

  • 11.8% improvement in feeling comfortable asking for help

  • 10.6% improvement in recognising tools and strategies for managing emotional distress

These gains demonstrate not only immediate benefits but also sustained emotional growth over time.

What Students Valued Most

In S2, 330 students from the intervention group responded to the open-ended question:
“What did you like the most about the Mindfull Aus program?”

This feedback reflected their experiences with the interactive workshop component, delivered on-site by the Mindfull Aus team. A thematic analysis of their responses revealed four key areas students most appreciated:

  • Program Content – relatable, age-appropriate material focused on emotional literacy and wellbeing

  • Interactive Elements – engaging activities that allowed for active participation and hands-on learning

  • Program Delivery – a format that was inclusive, energetic, and supportive

  • Mindfull Aus Team – facilitators were consistently described as kind, approachable, and inspiring

These themes affirm the program’s impact not just on knowledge and skills, but on student engagement and connection.

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Key Outcomes - Phase One, Two, Three & Four!

The Healthier Hearts and Lighter Minds (HHLM) program is designed to build emotional intelligence and mental wellbeing through a structured, multi-phase approach. Each phase helps young minds better understand themselves and their emotions, while equipping them with tools to make positive choices and develop resilience.

Phase One: Emotional Awareness & Expression

This foundational phase helps students develop the core building blocks of emotional intelligence.

🧠 Identify Emotions
Students learn to recognise and name a wide range of emotions, building emotional vocabulary and awareness.

🛑 Control Choices & Reactions
We explore how to pause, reflect, and choose how to respond rather than react—empowering students with self-regulation skills.

💬 Express Feelings
Participants learn healthy ways to express emotions and communicate feelings confidently and respectfully.

Phase Two: Understanding the Brain

This phase introduces students to key brain functions using engaging metaphors that are age-appropriate and easy to relate to.

🦸‍♂️ Amygdala – The Superhero
Our brain’s alarm system. It protects us by detecting threats and triggering strong emotions like fear and anger.

⚖️ Prefrontal Cortex – The Judge
This is the decision-maker. It helps us solve problems, weigh consequences, and think through our actions before we respond.

📚 Hippocampus – The Librarian
Responsible for storing our memories and experiences, helping us learn from the past and prepare for the future.

By understanding how these parts of the brain work together, students gain insight into their emotional responses and learn how to regain control when overwhelmed.

Phase Three: Building Character & Resilience

Here, students begin applying what they’ve learned to real-life challenges, developing strong internal values and a mindset for growth.

🌟 Choices: “Bummer Bottom” vs. “Tip Top”
Students explore the two types of choices they can make in any situation. They learn that their responses shape trust, respect, and personal freedom.

🌱 Growth Mindset
We embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. Students are encouraged to see setbacks not as failures, but as essential steps toward success.

🧭 Behaviours & Integrity
This part challenges students to remove unhelpful behaviours like blaming, justifying, lying, or giving up. Instead, they are guided to align their actions with the kind of person they want to be and the message they want to send to the world.

Phase Four: Understanding & Managing Anxiety

In this final core phase, students dive deeper into recognising anxiety and learning how to manage it in a healthy, empowered way. Through practical tools and relatable strategies, they learn that anxiety is not something to fear—but something to understand and navigate.

🔍 Recognise & Label Anxiety
Students learn to identify what anxiety feels like in the body—such as a racing heart or sweaty palms—and how to put a name to those feelings. Naming emotions is the first step toward managing them.

🛡️ Understand Anxiety’s Role
Anxiety is a protective emotion. We teach students why anxiety exists, where it comes from, and how it can be helpful when we listen and respond to it with care.

📊 Zone Awareness
Using the concepts of the Comfort Zone, Fear Zone, and Learning Zone, students explore how stepping outside their comfort zone can lead to growth—when done with the right tools and support.

🧘‍♀️ Anxiety Regulation Techniques
Students are introduced to easy-to-practice, calming strategies such as:

  • Controlled breathing

  • Butterfly hugs

  • Grounding exercises
    These techniques help them manage anxiety when it arises—in school, at home, or in social situations.

🌍 Real-Life Application
We walk through everyday scenarios where anxiety might show up (e.g., tests, friendships, trying new things) and practice how to move through it with confidence and care.

Additional Program Resources & Support

The HHLM program extends far beyond the classroom, offering a rich set of tools and resources for teachers, parents, and students alike.

📘 Curriculum-Aligned Lessons

  • Customised for upper and lower primary

  • Delivered each term and aligned with the Victorian Curriculum

  • Adaptable to your learning environment and teaching style

  • Activities include worksheets, role-play, discussions, creative projects, and multimedia content

🧩 Teaching Resources

Access downloadable tools to reinforce learning:

  • Emotion Charts

  • Emotional Cue Cards

  • I.C.E Whiteboard Templates

  • Brain Part Posters

  • Award Certificates

  • Gratitude Journals
    …and more!

👨‍🏫 Support for Educators & Families

  • 100s of expert-created infographics, videos, and e-books

  • Designed to support the wellbeing of those who care for and guide young people

  • Self-care and resilience tools for parents and teachers

🎙️ Video Podcast Series: Confined by Walls, Not by Hearts

A 10-part series sharing stories of resilience, hope, and mental health through the voices of Australians navigating life during COVID-19. These interviews offer powerful insights into emotional strength, adversity, and recovery.

What people have said…

  • “From the sessions ran with the staff, to the session with parents and then the kids we have created a really solid foundation to move forward in the area of mental health and recognising children that may be going through some really tough times, even giving us some strategis to be able to deal with this to the best of our ability

    — Primary School Teacher

  • “We’ve seen an immediate change in our two young kids demeanours and a much more positive outlook from both our son and daughter after the exercises and discussions they had with the Mindfull Aus team recently. My son in particular is now openly telling me how he feels and I’m sure my wife would agree that the whole experience the kids had at their school during a pilot program was exceptional! We also got a lot out of it as parents also. Great work Matt and the Mindfull Aus team. ”

    — Parent

  • “Mindfull Aus provide such a unique way of presenting this information. The kids are automatically so engaged. They make it so relatable for something that is such a scary thing for kids to talk about, he puts them immediately at ease, we feel so blessed to be part of this journey

    — Teacher

  • “I learned that healthy eating and mindfulness is very important and that making one person happy can positively impact a lot of people in life. "

    — Student

Book a primary school program

To request information about our Evidence Based & Informed Social Emotional Learning program for Schools, please contact our incredible Program Coordination, Jacqueline today!! - jacqueline@mindfullaus.com.au

Oh and by the way - ask about a potential subsidised program!!

Send an Enquiry