Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to cultivate and nurture the spiritual and emotional well-being of young people. Here you'll find:
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
All About Anxiety teaches that the evolutionary reasons for fear and anxiety; that anxiety isn't always a bad thing; and new strategies to manage anxiety.
offers journals for kids to help develop Social Emotional skills (creativity, dealing with mistakes, self-confidence, etc.) - plus a free podcast.
The Boy with Big, Big Feelings is relatable especially for children experiencing anxiety and extreme emotions, or who have been diagnosed with autism or as a Highly Sensitive Person.
Download a free parent guide for helpful tips.
In Catching Thoughts, children learn how to practice mindfulness and focus on thoughts that bring beauty, joy, and calm into their lives.
Offers prayers and activities to engage the whole family in developing spiritual practices.
series includes the original children’s book, with DVD and parent guide; 75 Mindfulness Activities for Kids; and Breathe through This: Mindfulness for Parents of Teenagers
A guided, illustrated meditation for kids to help children learn that they have the ability to feel at peace no matter what kinds of thoughts happen to be in their mind at any particular moment.
Encourages readers to seek out their own quiet place where they can "think their own thoughts" and "feel their own feelings".
Introduces readers to the magic of feeling better just by breathing!
Introduces a concrete activity parents or faith formation leaders can teach to children to utilize anywhere, anytime.
Three ancient Zen tales - told by a giant panda - about material goods, the boundaries of good and bad, and holding onto frustration.
It’s a Beautiful, Mindful World—A Peaceful Poetry Book for Kids of All Ages
Kids engage in and practice mindfulness through fun and easy exercises, quizzes, crafts, and activities, learning a deeper sense of peace, joy, and connection to the world, while improving emotional intelligence and self-esteem, and reducing anxiety.
When I Fly with Papa shares one girl's relationship with God, who she calls "Papa", in which she is free to express herself freely and know herself to to be fully loved.
Anxiety in kids is on the rise: 4.4 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 have diagnosed anxiety disorders, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And even more kids experience some level of anxiety in their daily lives. In kid-friendly language, Name and Tame Your Anxiety explains what anxiety is, how it works, and how to manage it.
Body awareness is a key foundation of consent. We Listen to Our Bodies gives children a vocabulary to understand and communicate their feelings, develop personal boundaries, and build their social and emotional skills.
offers journals for kids to help develop Social Emotional skills (creativity, dealing with mistakes, self-confidence, etc.) - plus a free podcast.
Free Spirit Publishing’s post Mindful Movement with Children includes an introduction to what mindful movement is, how it “works”, and the importance of teaching it to children and includes a mindfulness moment and a list of children’s books about mindfulness.
shared a free downloadable poster of 5 Steps to Managing Big Emotions.
Mindfulness in a Jar: 101 Exercises to Help Children Focus and Calm Their Minds
Coloring Book and Reflections for Social Emotional Learning
Poetry Unbound: incorporate poetry into a personal or group contemplative practice, worship/liturgical element, or fodder for small group discussions among tweens, teens and/or adults.
Listen to the trailer and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you listen.
The Labyrinth Society has a page of resources specifically for children.
8-week study on health and well-being via meditation and spiritual practices; online-friendly.
Includes Student Guide, Leader Guide, and free guide for leading virtually.
offering free online Mindfulness Classes for Kids.
Michel Le Gribble-Dates’ offers free online Story and Stretch (and other) videos along with liturgical elements and curriculum and Mindfulness and Meditation options.
Praying with Mandalas: teaches what mandalas are; includes a free downloadable mandala; and comes as an ecourse; youth-adults.
EmpowerU is built to help teens deal with stress and anxiety, including weekly free toolkits and a semester-long curriculum.
MYCepaz is a teen guide to mental well-being and includes calming yoga videos and several links to Mindfulness and Meditation sites, along with resources and supports for emergency interventions; includes a downloadable app to take mindfulness practices for use anywhere and anytime.
Strengthening Resilience: Promoting Positive School Mental Health Among Indigenous Youth
Mountain Plains MHTTC
shared 23 CHILDREN’S BOOKS ABOUT EMOTIONS FOR KIDS WITH BIG FEELINGS which is broken down by age group - toddler through young adult - along with books for parents
offers several books for CHILDREN on noticing and coping with big feelings:
They also offer book bundles, such as their:
offers several books for helping YOUTH deal with a range of emotions.
