VitalVoices helps students be better listeners
to themselves and others
What challenges do adolescents face ?
The United States is in the midst of a LONELINESS epidemic, which is hitting adolescents particularly hard (U.S. Surgeon General, 2023).
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All young people struggle with EMOTIONAL self-regulation, but this seems to have intensified over the past five years.
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We are living in an increasingly DIVIDED world, with fewer and fewer opportunities to engage with those who hold different perspectives from our own.
How does VitalVoices help?
Talking through challenges and understanding someone else's perspective helps youth connect with OTHERS.
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Learning to be mindful of oneself and others helps a person feel CALMER and more SELF-REGULATED.
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Being able to dialogue productively and listen to others are essential for a healthy DEMOCRACY.
VitalVoices helps students be better listeners
to themselves and others.
First, students learn how to notice their thoughts, feelings, and body sensations.
Using our “Listening Toolkit,” students practice actively listening.
The curriculum guides students in building awareness of their capabilities, as well as those of their community.
This happens experientially, with repeated practice, through activities that are fun and connecting.
VitalVoices empowers students and teachers.
Students learn to facilitate aspects of the curriculum, making it an empowering and safe place to exercise their voice. Every lesson includes options for diversifying content so all learners can engage and benefit.
Teachers have autonomy with VitalVoices. Following an 18-lesson introductory unit, teachers can use lessons in any order they choose.
Join the VitalVoices family!
6
schools
24
classes
452
students
How can we use VitalVoices?
VitalVoices is designed for early adolescence (grades 4-8).
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Schools and youth-serving organizations can use VitalVoices...
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For all students in a homeroom or advisory period
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As an intervention with selected students
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As part of a school-based mentoring program
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With a restorative justice initiative
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With content classes to improve student dialogue and collaboration in math, English, science, or social studies
How do I know this works?
Forty-seven 5th grade students participated in just nine lessons of VitalVoices in 2024.
Of the students who completed a survey before and after the lessons...
47%
changed their belief that they are socially accepted.
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This was a significant increase from 15% to 22% agreement (p = .02).
26%
changed their perception that all students are treated the same, no matter their economic background.
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This was an increase from 31% to 39% agreement.
31%
changed their perception that they get along with those different from themselves.
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This was a significant increase from 54% to 71% agreement (p = .03) .​
16%
changed their perception that students compliment others' accomplishments.
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This was an increase from 51% to 59% agreement.
Student and Teacher Perspectives
I liked learning to talk
to people and
understand their situation to make a stronger bond.
5th grade student
​I liked being able to talk
and connect with my classmates.
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5th grade student
It felt like the lessons were easily digestible while still delivering really important social-emotional skills for them.
Co-Teacher ​
What’s in the VitalVoices curriculum?
VitalVoices is aligned with CASEL’s SEL framework and the developmental needs of early adolescents.
VitalVoices has four units:
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An introductory unit that introduces and reviews key concepts
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Connection with Self
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Connection with Others
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Connection with Community
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Three years of lessons allow you to deliver one to three lessons per week all year.​
We have everything you will need!
Teacher instructions, student cards (physical and virtual), handouts, and presentations.
The VitalVoices Story
VitalVoices was born from the experience of an educator and researcher.
For ten years, Georgia Heyward was a bilingual teacher and administrator. In the classroom, she used self-awareness techniques informed by her Buddhist practice. As a community mediator, she used simple communication techniques to help adults overcome conflict and better understand one another.
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During COVID-19, Georgia was studying the impact of the pandemic on student wellbeing. She reviewed literature on the types of instruction that best support teen wellbeing and social-emotional competency.
These ideas were refined after talking to educators & students.
At Fig Education Lab, we interviewed school leaders, teachers, counselors, and — importantly — adolescents themselves. We talked with students and educators from public and independent schools, urban and rural areas, and across cultural and ideological backgrounds.
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We then created a team composed of a special education teacher, former classroom teachers, and a social worker. Together, we translated student experiences, educator input, and research into VitalVoices. We are always learning and improving in response to feedback from our school partners.