🧠 Discovering the 5 Parts of the Brain

This June and July, EMBRACE CERV PROJECT Module 2 – Cognitive Well-being is being piloted in Romanian elementary, middle and high schools schools. Our teams from Fundatia, Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC) & Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA) have adapted the materials for three distinct age groups, resulting in tailored Module 2 curricula.

In Session 1, middle school students learn about the 5 key parts of the brain through an animated video and interactive tools designed to help them understand how the brain supports thinking, feeling, and learning. Originally created in English, this video will soon be available in Romanian.

What are the 5 parts?

• Cerebral Cortex – thinking, problem solving, decision-making
  • Cerebellum – balance, coordination, movement
  • Brainstem – breathing, heartbeat, reflexes
  • Limbic system – emotions, motivation, memory
  • Amygdala & hippocampus – emotional responses and remembering what matters

Students then explore these concepts using a PowerPoint presentation and the interactive “Brain Home” activity, where each part of the brain is matched to a “room” in a symbolic house.

These tools help students connect abstract concepts with real-life experiences ~ making brain science both fun and meaningful.

📲 Learn more at embrace-future.eu

🧠 Building Emotional Intelligence from the Ground Up

In this first session of EMBRACE Module 2: Cognitive Well-being, elementary students (ages 6 to 10) are introduced to how the brain works, how to recognize their own strengths and qualities, and how to regulate their emotions. Through interactive activities, they also explore the value of teamwork and mutual support. The goal is not only to share information, but to help children develop awareness of their thinking, emotions, and motivation.

According to neuroscience, children’s brains are continuously shaped by their environment. That means every experience can help or hinder their cognitive growth. Learning to learn, embracing effort, and analyzing mistakes are all key to unlocking their full potential.

In Module 2, children explore:

• Basic brain structure and functions: what neurons do, how attention and concentration work, and what helps them remember things better.
• Information processing: how sleep, daily routines, and even emotions influence how we take in and remember information.
• Effort and motivation: they learned that making mistakes is part of learning and that effort and practice help the brain grow, reinforcing the concept of a growth mindset.
• Healthy habits for learning: The session emphasized that movement, nutrition, rest, and emotional balance all contribute to brain function.
• Reflection activities: students were invited to draw and name parts of the brain, describe their own habits, and share when they feel most focused, most distracted, or most motivated.

Specifically, in Session 1 of Elementary School Sessions in July, students learn:

• Understand what the brain is and how it functions
• Recognize that all emotions are valid, and it’s normal to feel differently each day
• Reflect on their own strengths and qualities through drawing and sharing
• Explore shared classroom values by contributing to a symbolic “class treasure”
• Practice basic mindfulness and breathing techniques to support emotional regulation
• Work in teams to identify personal strengths in various scenarios and reflect on collaboration

The learning materials ~ presentations, worksheets, classroom activities ~ were developed by our dedicated EMBRACE partners: Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România” (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC) & Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA).

📲 Learn more at embrace-future.eu

Why are decision-making strategies important for young people?

According to the European Commission, competences like critical thinking, self-regulation, and well-being are essential for helping young people adapt to a changing world, develop personally and socially, and remain employable through lifelong learning (LifeComp).

These are critical life skills, yet often overlooked in traditional education.

One of the core areas of the European Union’s Youth Strategy also aims to engage youth by encouraging them to be active in society and participate in decision-making (EU Youth Strategy).

That’s why EMBRACE developed Module 2: Cognitive Well-Being, which focuses on empowering Romanian school students with practical tools for mental and emotional development.

The partners have developed three versions of Module 2 adjusted to the needs of different age groups: elementary, middle and high school.

In Session 1 of 3, one of the topics high school students explore is how to make decisions, particularly:

✅ What decision-making really means

✅ A 7-step process for making healthy decisions

✅ How emotions, media, family values, and peer pressure influence our choices

✅ Helpful strategies like:

• Asking trusted adults
• Using critical thinking
• Listing pros and cons
• Learning from mistakes
• Trusting your intuition (with care!)

✅ Decision-making styles: Sequential, Logical, Global, Cooperative

This session is part of a broader effort to help students become more aware, confident, and responsible decision-makers.

Our partners co-developed a tailored presentation and toolkit to support this session:
• Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB)

• Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC)
• Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO)
• Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC)
• Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EAC)

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

🧠 Our Brain is Amazing – Let’s Take Care of It! 

How can we help children understand how their brain works and why it’s so important to take care of it?

As part of its Module 2: Cognitive Well-being, the EMBRACE project created a special video in Romanian to help young learners explore exactly that!

🎥 Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FzlDuMMEhwg

“Brain Power: A Healthy Brain” is now being used in Module 2 piloting activities in Romanian schools. Through this fun and simple video, children learn about seven daily habits that help keep their brain healthy, strong, and ready to learn:

• 
  Wear a helmet when biking or riding a scooter – protect your head!
  • Eat healthy foods – fuel your brain with energy.
  • Move your body – physical activity boosts brain power and mood.
  • Get enough sleep – at least 8 hours to recharge your brain.
  • Read stories and books – imagination builds new connections.
  • Play games – learning through play strengthens the brain.
  • Try fun puzzles and math problems – keep thinking sharp!

By teaching children about healthy habits for brain care, the EMBRACE project is giving them tools to support their own well-being, in school and in life.

This video is one of many educational materials created by EMBRACE partners and integrated into classroom activities during the piloting of Module 2: Cognitive Well-being in Romania (June–July 2025).

Our partners Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC), and Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA)  are dedicated to helping children understand how their brains work!

👉 Learn more about the project: https://embrace-future.eu

On June 1st, Romania celebrated Children’s Day – a powerful reminder that children’s well-being and healthy development must stay at the heart of education and community life. 

Building on this spirit, the EMBRACE project is launching the piloting of Module 2: Cognitive Well-being in Romanian schools!

🧠 Module 2: Cognitive Well-being invites children to explore:

• How their brain works: discovering that the brain is like a super team of neurons that adapts and learns throughout life
• How we process information: how attention, emotions, repetition, sleep, and habits shape what we remember and learn
• How to stay motivated: building a growth mindset and resilience, learning to navigate both successes and challenges
• How to develop healthy habits: understanding the role of sleep, nutrition, exercise, and positive thinking for well-being and learning

Through games, stories, creative exercises, group discussions, and simple science, children discover that their brain is an amazing tool, one they can nurture and strengthen!

We are thrilled to pilot Module 2 in 10 Romanian schools during June and July 2025, reaching hundreds of children in Iași, Bacău, and Vaslui County. Together, we are helping to build a future of confident, capable, and empowered young learners!

We are thankful to the 10 schools in Iași, Bacău, and Vaslui County for opening their doors for learning and growing in the well-being of children!

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

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

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

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

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

Physical activity isn’t just good for children’s bodies, it’s essential for their minds too. Exercise improves mood, supports emotional balance, sharpens focus, and builds resilience. This is why the Embrace Project integrates physical activity as a core element of its life skills curriculum for students across all school levels in Romania.

Recent data show that 33% of Romanian children aged 11-15 report feeling sad more than once a week, which is more than twice the EU average. This data underscores the critical importance of supporting children’s mental health through educational initiatives.

Sources: WHO, UNICEF Romania, UNICEF Child and Adolescent Health in Romania

The Embrace Project curriculum uses engaging methods such as games, breathing exercises, and outdoor activities to teach students about the connection between quality rest, regular physical movement, and healthy habits, all vital for maintaining mental wellbeing. One key part of the curriculum involves encouraging students to create balanced daily or weekly plans. These plans include time for physical activity, relaxation, and social interaction, helping children develop practical habits that promote both emotional and physical health.

Here’s what students learn through the program:

• The connection between physical health and emotional well-being
• How movement enhances concentration, energy, and mood
• Daily habits that build resilience and encourage self-care

By integrating physical activity into life skills education, the Embrace Project is helping schools become places where kids can grow physically and emotionally, laying the foundation for healthier futures.

Learn more about the EMBRACE project: embrace-future.eu

When children are taught to care for their bodies through simple daily routines, they not only stay healthier but also build confidence, self-respect, and lifelong habits that support their well-being.

Did you know that in some European countries, fewer than 45% of children brush their teeth more than once a day? 

According to data from the WHO’s European Region, a significant portion of children aged 11–15 brush their teeth less than twice a day. Poor oral hygiene in childhood is linked to a higher risk of cavities, gum disease, and reduced self-esteem, often due to visible dental issues or bad breath.

Source: WHO Europe Region

That’s why the EMBRACE Project integrates personal hygiene into Module 1: Physical Health, the Basis of Well-being. With our partners in Northern Romania, we’re helping children understand how healthy routines support both body and mind.

Here’s what children learn:

• Hand Hygiene – Washing before meals and after using the toilet to prevent illness.
• Oral Care – Brushing techniques, and how clean teeth connect to confidence.
• Daily Cleanliness – Bathing, changing clothes, and how these habits foster dignity, self-esteem, and inclusion.

Lessons are hands-on, age-appropriate, and designed to make hygiene feel empowering, not just necessary.

Our partners Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC) & Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA) are developing engaging materials to help children learn about personal hygiene!

Let’s  continue promoting hygiene and well-being as core pillars of child development.

This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth is the perfect reminder that the small habits children build today shape their mental health and resilience for years to come.

While emotional support is key, research shows that teaching children how to manage their time and energy is a powerful way to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and promote emotional balance.

What Do Children Learn in EMBRACE Module 1?

Our partners – Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România” (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC), and Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA) – have developed engaging and interactive tools to make time management both fun and meaningful for children:

📅 Weekly Planners – Children learn to create balanced schedules with dedicated time for rest, learning, and play.

🎯 Time Management Worksheets – They reflect on daily activities and classify them as to be done, in progress, or completed.

🔄 Energy Curve Tracker – Children discover how different activities affect their energy and mood, recognizing when to rest or be active.

🎲 Interactive Games & Role Plays – Engaging scenarios help kids prioritize tasks and make healthier, mindful choices.

🧘 Relaxation Techniques – Simple tools like “The Superhero Breath” teach children how to handle stress and reset their focus.

Why Time and Energy Management Matters – 5 Research-Based Reasons

1️⃣ ⛅ Reduces Anxiety → Predictable routines provide security and reduce stress triggers.

2️⃣ 🎓 Improves Focus & Academic Performance → Structured schedules help children stay on task and learn more effectively.

3️⃣ 😌 Enhances Emotional Regulation → Healthy routines support better sleep and balanced activity, improving mood and self-control.

4️⃣ 🌱 Builds Responsibility & Confidence → Managing their time helps children feel capable and independent.

5️⃣ 💥 Prevents Burnout & Overwhelm → Teaching children to plan for rest protects their energy and mental wellbeing.

Sources: 

🔹Research Gate: https://tinyurl.com/4sxdfejc

🔹Journal of Family Theory and Review: https://tinyurl.com/bdhbktte

🔹NHS Trust: https://tinyurl.com/sc7ss3hh 

🔹Burnout Free EU Project: www.burnoutfree.eu/en-us/RESULTS 

 A healthy mind begins with healthy daily choices. Together, let’s empower children to build resilient, balanced lives – one habit at a time.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to spotlight the everyday habits that help children and teens thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically.

At EMBRACE, we believe one of the most powerful of these habits is sleep.

Through our Life Skills program in Romanian schools, children learn that a well-rested brain is a strong brain – better at managing emotions, staying focused in class, and bouncing back from challenges.

🌙 Here are 10 science-backed reasons why sleep is essential to a child’s mental well-being:

1️⃣ 🧠 Boosts Focus & Memory → Sleep strengthens brain connections that support learning and attention.

2️⃣ 😌 Regulates Emotions → Well-rested children manage emotions more calmly and recover from stress faster.

3️⃣ 🎓 Improves School Performance → Adequate sleep increases cognitive flexibility and motivation.

4️⃣ 🎯 Supports Decision-Making → Rested minds are better at impulse control and thoughtful choices.

5️⃣ 🧬 Promotes Brain Development → Deep sleep nurtures the growing brain, especially in children and teens.

6️⃣ 💤 Reduces Mental Health Risks → Lack of sleep increases vulnerability to anxiety and depression.

7️⃣ 📉 Combats Fatigue & Burnout → Good sleep restores physical and mental energy.

8️⃣ 💥 Strengthens Stress Response → Sleep lowers cortisol and enhances emotional resilience.

9️⃣ 💗 Builds Confidence & Self-Esteem → Feeling rested supports self-image and participation.

🔟 🧭 Creates Routine & Stability → Consistent sleep schedules build a sense of safety and structure.

📚 Backed by research from the WHO Europe:

🔹 Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age (https://tinyurl.com/w7s3uadx)

🔹 WHO technical meeting on sleep and health (https://tinyurl.com/2htytsr8)

🔹WHO Report on Health Behaviours of 11–15-Year-Olds in Europe (https://tinyurl.com/46dhws88)

🔹WHO Fact Sheet on Adolescent Mental Health (https://tinyurl.com/k5t9um7s)

🔹WHO Study on Physical Activity, Screen Time and Sleep Habits of Children (https://tinyurl.com/u3ph5ky6)

🌍 During Mental Health Awareness Month, EMBRACE is proud to highlight the importance of sleep as a life skill – not just for physical health, but for emotional balance, academic growth, and lifelong resilience.

Our partners – Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO) and Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA) – are working across Romania to help children build lasting habits for well-being, starting with sleep.

At every age, building a strong foundation for well-being starts with simple, everyday actions.

In our EMBRACE educational sessions in Romanian schools, we teach children and teens that good nutrition, physical activity, and emotional health are the pillars of a happy, resilient life.

Just like choosing nourishing foods and balancing school and play, drinking enough water every day fuels our bodies and minds for growth, energy, and emotional balance.

💧 Why is drinking water essential for our health? Here are 10 key reasons:

1.  Supports Physical and Cognitive Functions → Water maintains normal physical and mental performance.
2. Regulates Body Temperature → Water helps stabilize body heat, especially during physical activity.
3. Boosts Mood and Reduces Fatigue → Even mild dehydration worsens mood and increases tiredness.
4. Enhances Memory and Attention → Good hydration improves cognitive performance across all ages.
5. Supports Heart Health → Hydration helps maintain healthy blood volume and blood pressure.
6. Aids Digestion → Water dissolves nutrients and helps the body process food efficiently.
7. Promotes Kidney Health → Proper hydration helps kidneys remove waste and prevent stones.
8. Lubricates Joints and Tissues → Water protects joints, muscles, and organs from damage.
9. Prevents Dehydration-Linked Illnesses → Consistent water intake lowers risks like UTIs and kidney stones.
10. Encourages Healthier Choices and Protects the Environment → Drinking water instead of sugary beverages improves personal health and supports environmental sustainability. (Less production, less waste!)

Sources:

European Commission (Knowledge4Policy: https://tinyurl.com/mr4xkxja)

Nutrition Reviews (Oxford Academic: https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuv056)

Hydration in Europe Report (Bryggeriforeningen: https://tinyurl.com/5z7khcwc)

British Dietetic Association (https://tinyurl.com/3afrb9b3)

WHO Europe (https://tinyurl.com/3tsa8n7c).

The EMBRACE partners Fundatia Servicilor Sociale Bethany, Fundația de Sprijin Comunitar, Asociaţia Bună Ziua copii din România, FONPC, and Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL – provide educational materials that are taught in Romanian schools to build awareness about the importance of physical health, nutrition, hydration, and emotional well-being.

In Module 1, children and teenagers learn that drinking water is an essential part of living a healthy, active, and balanced lifestyle.

👉 Small habits create big changes!