Heart. Leaf. Shield.
Heart, Leaf, and Shield give children simple symbols they can remember when a conversation moves from the page into everyday life. Kind actions. Calm actions. Brave actions.
Kindness
How can I show care for myself and others?
The Heart reminds us to care for ourselves and others. Kindness is how we show love through our words, our actions, and even our thoughts.
- Care
- Empathy
- Connection
- Inclusion
- Belonging
Calm & Growth
Can I pause, notice, and make a thoughtful choice?
The Leaf reminds us to slow down, breathe, pause, and notice. When we are calm, we can think clearly and make better choices for ourselves and others.
- Pause
- Breathe
- Notice
- Reflect
- Thoughtful Choices
Bravery & Safety
Is this safe? Do I need help from a trusted adult?
The Shield reminds us to stay safe and be brave. Being brave does not mean we are not scared. It means we do the right thing even when it feels hard. The Shield connects with boundaries, trusted adults, speaking up and asking for help, and making caring, safe choices.
- Courage
- Boundaries
- Caring and Safe Choices
- Speaking Up
- Asking for Help
- Trusted Adults
Intentional alignment
The book establishes the Heart, Leaf, Shield Framework. The resources expand its applications and are grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) principles.
- Heart: Social Awareness and Relationship Skills
- Leaf: Self Awareness, Self Management, and Responsible Decision Making
- Shield: Responsible Decision Making, Self Awareness, and Relationship Skills
Creating Belonging Is at the Core of the Framework
Brave, calm, and kind actions help us create belonging within ourselves, with one another, and in our communities. Heart helps us care for one another. Leaf helps us pause, listen, and remain curious. Shield reminds us that safety and dignity matter for ourselves and others. Every person matters. We all have a place in the communities we share.