• EMBRACE PROJECT - CERV

How to Handle Big Feelings – with Sparky & Wise Owl

🌈 How to Handle Big Feelings – with Sparky & Wise Owl

 

The EMBRACE Future  is helping kids and teenagers learn how to be well with their emotions through fun and relatable stories.

 

In this new video, “How to Handle Big Feelings”, developed by Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA), Sparky’s tower falls down. He feels sad and a little bit angry, but with a deep breath and Wise Owl’s support, he learns that it’s okay to have big feelings. What matters is what you do with them.

 

Children will discover:
How to recognize big feelings when they appear
Why taking a deep breath can help calm down
How to turn sadness and frustration into motivation
The power of friendship and teamwork when starting again
That every mistake is an opportunity to grow stronger

 

This video is one of three videos for different age groups, specifically targeted for  elementary school children (ages 6-10).

 

Watch the videos:

EN:Sparky’s Tower Falls 🏗️💔 | How to Handle Big Feelings

 

RO: Turnul lui Sparky se prăbușește 🏗️💔 | Cum să gestionăm emoțiile puternice 

Stay tuned for our latest videos for middle and high school!

Learn more: https://embrace-future.eu/

Announcing the EMBRACE PAC – #KnowEmotions #DescoperăEmoțiile

ENGLISH:

 

EMBRACE Future launches “#KnowEmotions” Public Awareness-Raising Campaign on Children’s Mental Health

Brussels/Bucharest, September 2025

The EMBRACE project team is proud to announce the launch of its Public Awareness-Raising Campaign (PAC), running from October 2025 until April 2026. The campaign, under the motto KnowEmotions, will bring children’s mental health to the forefront of European discussions, engaging families, educators, and policymakers.

The campaign kicks off with the Children and Youth Forum in Bucharest in early October 2025. The forum will engage children and youth in interactive discussions with policymakers about key aspects of mental health, paving the way for children’s participation and influence to create a society that cares about their emotional wellbeing.

 

 

YouTube: https://youtu.be/E3KPMytahDQ

Following the Forum, the campaign will continue across Europe, featuring eight core emotions identified in the Plutchik model:

  • Joy
  • Anticipation
  • Anger
  • Disgust
  • Sadness
  • Surprise
  • Fear
  • Trust

By highlighting these emotions week by week, the campaign aims to build awareness, promote emotional literacy, and provide resources for children, parents, and teachers to better navigate emotional challenges.

 

The EMBRACE team believes that emotions are central to children’s development, learning, and resilience, following this vision: “With #KnowEmotions, we want to make sure families, schools, and communities recognize their importance and gain the tools to support children in healthy ways.”

 

The campaign will run across social media, press channels, including the Children and Youth Forum, ensuring wide visibility and engagement.

 

About EMBRACE

EMBRACE is a European initiative dedicated to advancing children’s mental health through education, awareness-raising, and innovative tools for educators, parents, and policymakers.

The project aims to address mental health issues among vulnerable children in deprived villages and small towns from Northeast Romania, through a model of school-based interventions that is already being piloted in 10 schools. 

During the project, a diverse group of participants will be engaged to reflect, learn, and use the EMBRACE resources that will be created and shared at the National and European levels for supporting the mental health of children, including:

  • 500 children who will directly benefit from the EMBRACE toolkit – a structured program meant to educate children aged 6-18 on emotional wellbeing
  • 300 parents who will be supported and empowered through targeted initiatives and introduced to emotional wellbeing literacy
  • 190 specialists in child education and protection, who will be trained to work collaboratively to support the emotional wellbeing of children in schools and communities
  • 123 representative children who will actively participate in shaping and voicing the needs of their peers in the Children and Youth Forum

The project is implemented by a consortium of partners: Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB) (coordinator in Romania), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC), and Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EAC).

 

ROMANIAN:

EMBRACE Future lansează #DescoperăEmoțiile – o campanie publică de conștientizare despre sănătatea mintală a copiilor

România, septembrie 2025

Consorțiul de parteneri EMBRACE anunță cu mândrie lansarea campaniei publice de conștientizare care se va derula în perioada Octombrie 2025 – Aprilie 2026. Campania, sub motto-ul #DescoperăEmoțiile, va aduce sănătatea mintală a copiilor în prim-planul discuțiilor europene, implicând familiile, educatorii și factorii de decizie politică.

Campania debutează în cadrul Forumului Copiilor și Tinerilor din București, în luna octombrie 2025. Evenimentul va implica copiii și tinerii în discuții interactive cu factori de decizie cu privire la aspectele cheie ale sănătății mintale, punând baze pentru participarea și influența copiilor pentru o societate căreia îi pasă de bunăstarea lor emoțională. 

 

YouTube: https://youtu.be/fxnkrdbxh

După Forum, campania va continua în întreaga Europă, prezentând opt emoții primare identificate în modelul Plutchik:

  • Bucurie
  • Anticipare
  • Furie
  • Dezgust
  • Tristețe
  • Surpriză
  • Frică
  • Încredere

 

Prin evidențierea acestor emoții săptămână de săptămână, campania își propune să sporească gradul de conștientizare, să promoveze alfabetizarea emoțională și să ofere resurse pentru copii, părinți și profesori pentru a naviga mai bine printre provocările emoționale.

Echipa EMBRACE consideră că emoțiile sunt esențiale pentru dezvoltarea, învățarea și reziliența copiilor, urmând această viziune: “Cu #DescoperăEmoțiile, dorim să ne asigurăm că familiile, școlile și comunitățile recunosc importanța lor și că obțin instrumentele necesare pentru a sprijini copiii în moduri sănătoase.

Campania #DescoperăEmoțiile se va desfășura pe rețelele de socializare, canalele de presă, în cadrul Forumului Copiilor și Tinerilor, asigurând o vizibilitate și un angajament larg.

 

Despre EMBRACE

EMBRACE este o inițiativă europeană dedicată promovării sănătății mintale a copiilor prin educație, conștientizare și instrumente inovatoare pentru educatori, părinți și factori de decizie politică. Proiectul își propune să abordeze problemele de sănătate mintală în rândul copiilor vulnerabili din sate defavorizate și orașe mici din nord-estul României, printr-un model de intervenție care este deja pilotat în 10 școli.

În cadrul proiectului, un grup divers de participanți vor fi implicați pentru a reflecta, a învăța și a utiliza resursele EMBRACE care vor fi create și promovate la nivel național și european pentru a sprijini sănătatea mintală a copiilor:

  • 500 de copii vor beneficia în mod direct de setul de instrumente EMBRACE – un program structurat menit să educe copiii cu vârste cuprinse între 6-18 ani cu privire la bunăstarea emoționalǎ
  • 300 de părinți vor fi introduși în alfabetizarea emoțională
  • 190 de specialiști în educație și protecția copilului vor fi instruiți să lucreze în colaborare pentru susținerea bunăstării emoționale a copiilor în școli și comunități
  • 123 de copii reprezentanți vor participa activ la exprimarea nevoilor în cadrul Forumului Copiilor și Tinerilor

Proiectul este implementat de un consorțiu de parteneri: Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB) (coordonator în România), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC) și Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EAC).

Wheel of Emotions with the EMBRACE Squad!

🎡 Wheel of Emotions with the EMBRACE Squad!

 

The EMBRACE Future project is finalizing the teaching materials for Module 3, which will soon be piloted in schools across Romania. Each module is tailored for age groups 6-10 (elementary), 10-14 (middle school), and 14-18 (high school).

 

This week, we’re highlighting an activity for elementary school children (ages 6-10)

The Emotional Wheel.

In Session 1/3, children spin the wheel and land on different emotions represented by the EMBRACE characters. For example:
⇒ Nutty might appear sad
⇒ Sparky could be in love 💕
⇒ Wise may look surprised 

The wheel sparks guided discussions where children share:
⇒ “How did you feel during the activity?”

⇒ “What did I like today?”
⇒ “What was difficult for me?”

 

Teachers can also encourage kids to express their answers through drawings or simple gestures. For homework, children create a drawing answering: 

“Is it good to have positive or negative emotions?”

 

💡 Why it matters: 

Learning to recognize emotions, both in ourselves and in others, helps children build empathy, resilience, and emotional literacy from an early age.

Learn more about EMBRACE: https://embrace-future.eu/

Upgrade the Brain with Ana, Alex & Alex+!

🧠 Upgrade the Brain with Ana, Alex & Alex+!

 

The EMBRACE Future project continues its mission to support children and teenagers ages 6-18 with engaging materials tailored to each age group:
⇒ Elementary school (in progress)
⇒ Middle school (shared last week)
⇒ High school (this week’s spotlight!)

 

This week, we’re excited to share the high school video:
“Upgrade the Brain!” – now available in English on YouTube, developed by Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA).

 


Watch here: Upgrade the Brain 🧠✨ | How to Stay Clear, Calm, and Focused

 

🎬 In this story, Alex feels scattered and exhausted, until Ana and Alex+ introduce him to the secret of cognitive well-being. Together, they discover how to “upgrade” the brain with smart everyday habits:

Taking breaks from screens to reset

Moving your body for rocket-fuel focus

Tapping into the superpower of sleep

• Strengthening your brain by noticing emotions

Simple daily recharges: journaling, walks, saying “no” when needed 

 

The takeaway: 

Building your future isn’t just about grades. It’s about having a clear mind, emotional balance, and a body ready for anything. Small choices today = big differences tomorrow!

 

🇷🇴 A professional Romanian voiceover will be available soon, making the video accessible to students in Romania.

Learn more: https://embrace-future.eu/

🎬 Three Animations, Three Age Groups

🎬 Three Animations, Three Age Groups

 

The EMBRACE Future Squad is coming to life with three new animated videos for Module 2 – Cognitive Wellbeing ~ one for elementary school, one for middle school, and one for high school.

 

⇒ Elementary school: Featuring Sparky, Bytu, Nutty, and Wise (in progress)
⇒ Middle school: Featuring Maya, Maya+, Leo, and Leo+ (available now!)
⇒ High school: Featuring Ana, Alex, and Alex+ (coming soon)

 

This week, we’re excited to share the middle school video:
“Super Snacker Showdown” – now available in English on YouTube, developed by Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA).


Watch here: The Energy Dip ⚡🥕🍎 | How Healthy Foods Give Us Superpower Energy

 

🍎 In this fun showdown, Maya and Leo learn that what you eat really matters. From chips and candy to fruit and nuts, the choices we make affect energy, focus, and even our brains. With a little help from their “+” characters, they discover that healthy snacking fuels both body and mind.

 

The video will soon be released with a professional Romanian voiceover, so more students can enjoy it in their own language.

 

Through these engaging stories, EMBRACE helps kids and teenagers ages 6-18 explore how everyday habits shape their emotional and cognitive development.

Learn more: https://embrace-future.eu/

Growing Emotionally Stronger: EMBRACE Launches Module 3!

🌈 Growing Emotionally Stronger: EMBRACE Launches Module 3!

 

In Romania, nearly one-third of adolescents aged 11-15 report feeling sad almost weekly, more than double the EU average. This underscores the need to teach kids emotional resilience early.

Source: UNICEF – Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Romania

 

That’s why EMBRACE Future is launching Module 3: “I am fine with my emotions”, a hands-on journey through emotional recognition, expression, and self-regulation.

 

In this module, kids and teenagers aged 6-18 explore:

  • How to identify and name emotions in themselves and others
    How emotions show up in our bodies, behaviors, and communication
    How to express feelings in healthy, respectful ways
    How positive emotions support motivation, empathy, and confidence
  • How to apply emotional regulation strategies like calming techniques, anger and fear management, and self-control

 

Students are invited to reflect, share, and grow in supportive classroom settings, using tools like discussion prompts, group activities, role-play, and personal reflection.

 

As with Module 2, Module 3 will be piloted in 10 schools across Iași, Bacău, and Vaslui counties during September-October 2025, reaching hundreds of students aged 6-18. 

 

📍 IAȘI
1️⃣ Liceul Teoretic Comandor Alexandru Cătuneanu (www.catuneanu.ro)
2️⃣ Liceul Special Moldova – Târgu Frumos (www.liceulmoldova.ro)
3️⃣ Școala Gimnazială Ion Creangă – Târgu Frumos (www.sioncreanga.weebly.com)

 4️⃣ Școala Gimnazială Garabet Ibrăileanu – Târgu Frumos (www.gibraileanutgfrumos.ro)

 

📍 BACĂU
5️⃣ Școala Gimnazială Domnița Maria Bacău (www.scoaladomnitamaria.ro)
6️⃣ Școala Gimnazială Dealu Morii (www.scoaladealumorii.ro/)

 7️⃣ Școala Gimnazială Gheorghe Nechita – comuna Motoșeni (www.scmotoseni.ro/)

 

📍 VASLUI
8️⃣ Școala Gimnazială „Stroe S. Belloescu” – Bârlad (www.scoalastroebelloescubarlad.ro/)
9️⃣ Liceul Tehnologic Puiești (www.liceul-tehnologic-puiesti.ro)
🔟 Școala Gimnazială ”Ion Murgeanu” – Zorleni (www.scoalazorleni.ro)

 

These schools continue to champion children’s mental health and emotional literacy through innovative, classroom-ready practices.


Learn more: https://embrace-future.eu/

Too Much Screen Time? Let’s Talk About It

🧠 Too Much Screen Time? Let’s Talk About It

 

How long are you on your phone or computer each day? Does being on your devices ever make you feel drained?
This is a topic we are tackling in the EMBRACE Future Session 3 of Module 2, middle school students across Romania are learning how screen use affects their brain, emotions, and well-being – and what they can do about it.

 

💬 The class begins with group problem-solving:

  • What if your friend can’t sleep because they’re on their phone for 7+ hours?
    How do you support someone being bullied online?
    What if your self-worth depends on likes?

 

Students work together to reflect and propose healthy responses.

Then, facilitators explain key brain concepts:

  • Screen time affects sleep, memory, posture, and creativity
  • Social media can harm self-esteem and emotional balance
  • Sometimes, playing games and being on apps for too long can have an impact on our attention.

 

🍇The session includes the “Fruit Salad” energizer game to refresh and connect

And ends with a personal quiz and commitment:
→ “I’ll turn off notifications during class”
→ “I’ll take a screen break after 1 hour”

 

By combining science, empathy, and action, EMBRACE helps young people make informed choices in a digital world with Maya, Maya+, Leo and Leo+ accompanying them every step of the way!

Participation Is a Right, Not a Privilege

📘 Participation Is a Right, Not a Privilege

In EMBRACE Future, we believe that children and young people should not only be seen, but heard, in schools, families, and their communities.

Our new brochure, EMBRACE Informational Brochure – Participation of Children and Young People – English Version outlines why meaningful participation is essential for creating fair, inclusive societies, and how children can exercise this right in daily life.

🧒👧 Featuring EMBRACE characters Ana, Ana+, Alex, and Alex+, the brochure breaks down to:

  • What participation really means
  • Where children and teens can get involved ~ at home, school, or locally
  • Why consultation matters, and how adults can make space for youth voices

As the UNICEF Child Participation Toolkit explains: “Children have the right to be heard in all matters affecting them… It is not only an autonomous right, but also a general principle of the CRC. This means that the exercise of the right to participation is an essential lever for the realization of all children’s rights.”

Real participation empowers young people to shape their world, and builds the confidence, critical thinking, and civic awareness they need to thrive.

You may also download the EMBRACE – Broșură informativă Participarea copiilor și tinerilor – Romanian Version

 

Introducing the Middle School Characters (students ages 10-14)

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Meet the Middle School Squad: Maya, Leo, Maya+ & Leo+

 

How can students aged 10-14 better understand their emotions, navigate changing friendships, and build healthy confidence?

 

In the EMBRACE Future project, we introduce four characters who support middle

schoolers through their mental health journey:

Maya ~ A creative heroine who learns to express herself and speak up for others.

Leo ~ An energetic hero who explores empathy, patience, and positive leadership.

Maya+ ~ A calming inner guide who supports reflection, self-advocacy, and emotional balance.

Leo+ ~ An inner guide who encourages emotional regulation, group awareness, and thoughtful conflict resolution.

 

Rather than assigning roles based on gender, we invite students to connect with whichever character reflects their own strengths and challenges.

 

By combining relatable role models with gentle inner voices, this character set helps students strengthen emotional literacy, navigate social dynamics, and build confidence as they grow.

Learn more at embrace-future.eu

Module 2 – Session 2 Elementary Schools in Romania

🧘‍♀️ How Do Kids Learn to De-Stress?

 

Stress isn’t just for adults, children feel it too. Learning how to manage their stress early can make a big difference in their well-being.

 

That’s why Session 2 of Module 2 of EMBRACE Future includes simple, engaging techniques to help elementary school students (ages 6-10) recognize and release tension.

 

Some of the activities in this session include:

  • Emotional Check-In – Choosing a color to describe their feelings
    My Anti-Stress Key – Identifying common school stressors and reflecting in small teams
    My Joke – A circle where students can tell a joke, if they feel like it
    Car Wash – A movement-based energizer to shift tension through play
    The Wave – A calming breathing and motion exercise
    Emotional Check-Out – Reflection prompts and a shared moment under the group parachute

 

📸 On social media this week, you’ll see Wise Owl and Bytu from the EMBRACE Squad joining the conversation, reminding students that it’s okay to feel, share, and reset.

 

These simple exercises help children better understand their own emotions and create a classroom culture of support and empathy.

Learn more at embrace-future.eu.

Contact

Project: 101190161 — EMBRACE — CERV-2024-CHILD

Disclaimer: Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only
and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA.
Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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