A crucial part of our work and impact includes partnering with vendors to bring these valuable experiences into the classrooms across the Chicago Public Schools System. To ensure successful and impactful partnerships, it’s crucial to design them thoughtfully and strategically. In this blog, we’ll explore how to create and design a great vendor partner that benefits everyone involved.

Through programs offered in partnership with Knuckleball Comedy, Design Dance, and Prismatic, we’ve reached 5,795 Chicago students in the 2023-24 academic year! Read more about student impact throughout all of The Brainchild Collective’s programming.

Dance education is a highly effective tool for instilling social-emotional wellness by teaching self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, relationship building, and responsible decision making. Learn more about how students at Richard Edward Elementary School have been impacted by our Design Dance program.

With Knuckleball Comedy, your classroom transforms into a stage for students to explore their comedic talents, enhance their communication skills, and build strong connections with their peers. Hear how Vaughn Occupational High School students have grown with improv and theater through our Knuckleball Comedy programming.

In the heart of every student lies a story waiting to be told, emotions yearning to be expressed, and a journey of self-discovery awaiting its curtain call. In today's ever-evolving educational landscape, fostering emotional intelligence (EQ) and social-emotional skills has become paramount. One innovative approach gaining traction in schools is the integration of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into theater programs.

Much like academic standards, SEL standards play a crucial role in determining developmentally and grade-appropriate goals for students and teachers to work toward. These standards provide a clear roadmap for integrating SEL into educational curricula, ensuring that students receive age-appropriate instruction tailored to their emotional and social needs.

SEL transcends the boundaries of traditional academic skills, embracing a comprehensive approach that nurtures emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and self-awareness. As educators, understanding and incorporating SEL in your teaching practices is a transformative journey beyond the conventional classroom experience.

As architects of the future, educators play a crucial role in nurturing not just the intellectual capacities of their students but also their emotional intelligence. Social-emotional learning (SEL) emerges as a beacon, fostering a holistic approach to education that empowers students with essential life skills.

The five core SEL competencies, when integrated into classroom practices, can empower students to become not only successful learners but also resilient, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent individuals. In this blog post, we will explore the fundamentals of SEL competencies, how they can be taught in schools, and how partners like The Brainchild Collective can assist educators in designing effective SEL programs.

In recent years, experts in education have realized the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in fostering the holistic development of students. One approach that has gained prominence in Chicago Public Schools is the integration of SEL through dance programs.

In this blog post, we share how Monarcas Academy earned the CSF grant with the support of Design Dance, a proud part of The Brainchild Collective, to infuse arts into their educational framework. We’ll highlight how they used the grant program to enrich their arts program, the impact on its students, and what’s required from schools that are interested in earning the CSF grant for their students.

There's an increasing need for education that caters to the mind and heart. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has steadily risen to the forefront of educational discussions, with many leading educators recognizing its profound impact on students' overall well-being and academic success. One entity leading the charge in this area is The Brainchild Collective, which bases its curriculum on Chicago Public School's Healing-Centered Framework.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has been gaining significant attention in educational circles over the past few years—and for good reason. As the demands of the 21st century continue to evolve, it's clear that academic achievement alone won’t ensure a student's success.

By integrating practices like dance, art, theater, comedy, and leadership development into SEL, students are given a platform to express, understand, and connect, which facilitates a smoother transition back to school.

In today's rapidly changing world, students need more than academic prowess to thrive. Equipping them with the right emotional and interpersonal tools is pivotal. Enter the realm of Social-emotional learning (SEL).

Schools have the opportunity to build partnerships with outside vendors who can enhance their year-long programming and, in some cases, educate their on-staff educators to elevate SEL objectives for all students.

SEL programs can have a positive impact on student resilience, mental health, problem behaviors, school connectedness, classroom climate, and creating a more just and equitable society.