Mind Body Align

08/19/2026

The right book at the right moment can stay with a child for years.

As educators, you do more than help students learn to read. Through the stories you choose and share, you help children see themselves, understand others, explore new perspectives, and make sense of the world around them.

That idea came up again and again in conversations around literacy and storytelling at this summer’s American Library Association in Chicago—and it reminded us just how much thought educators put into the books they place in students’ hands.

What’s one book you’re excited to share with your students this year—and why?

Drop your recommendation below. You might help another educator discover their students’ next favorite book.

08/18/2026

Before we teach reading, math, or science, there’s something children need to know first: “You belong here.”

After years in the third-grade classroom, Julie Braumberger learned that some of the most important work of the first weeks of school happens before the curriculum really gets underway.

It happens when we greet a child by name.
When we listen before correcting.
When we celebrate effort instead of perfection.
When we show children that mistakes are part of learning.

Those small moments help create the emotional safety and sense of belonging that give children room to participate, take risks, ask for help, and learn.

In Julie's Back-to-School Series, she shares what her years as a teacher taught her about creating a classroom where children know:

You are safe. You matter. You belong here.

Read the full article, and follow Mind Body Align as we continue our Back-to-School Series with practical ideas for supporting the whole child throughout the first weeks of school.

Discover how emotional safety and belonging support learning and whole child development through lessons from an experienced third-grade teacher.

08/17/2026

As we prepare for another school year Mansfield City School District, we're feeling incredibly grateful.

This summer we had the opportunity to:

1 - Teach Labyrinth Adventures during camp at Buckeye Imagination Museum
2 - Support educators preparing for school
3 - Share our curriculum with new partners
4 - Continue building a community centered around whole-child development

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. If you're looking for a simple way to bring more gratitude into your classroom or home this school year, we invite you to read Julie Braumberger's article on Bringing Gratitude into the Classroom: https://mindbodyalign.com/educators/8-gratitude-activities-for-students-and-classrooms-mind-body-align/

08/13/2026

This summer we had the joy of partnering with Richland Public Health and Buckeye Imagination Museum for another amazing summer camp!

Every day campers explored a new Labyrinth Adventure—building confidence, practicing kindness, learning calming strategies, and strengthening friendships through stories and hands-on activities.

Watching children discover that they already have the tools to manage big emotions is why we love this work. Ask us how to help your students do these same things this new school year!

❤️ Which social-emotional skill do you hope your students practice most this year?

08/12/2026

📚 Learning doesn't only happen in the classroom.

What's something you learned this summer?

It could be:

🌱 A new hobby

📖 A great book

🍳 A recipe

🎨 A craft

❤️ Something about yourself

Tell us below—we'd love to celebrate learning together!

08/11/2026

🍎 Be honest...

How are you feeling about heading back to school?

❤️ Excited

😊 Ready

😅 A little overwhelmed

📚 Somewhere in between

Wherever you are, you're not alone. Every new school year is a fresh opportunity to make a difference.

Leave one word in the comments that describes how you're feeling today.

💛 Looking for a fun way to start the year with kindness? Download our free Kindness Bingo activity—a simple way to help your students build connections, spread kindness, and create a positive classroom community from day one.

https://mindbodyalign.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Kindness-Bingo-Game-1.pdf

08/09/2026

Imagine a classroom where students thrive emotionally and academically. With support from the Mind Body Align Charitable Fund, you can make this a reality. Apply now to bring self-regulation and SEL practices into your daily routines and create a lasting impact on your students.

👉 Learn more by visiting the link in our bio

08/05/2026

Before we start thinking about lesson plans and classroom setups...

Tell us about your summer!

What was your favorite summer memory?

Whether it was a vacation, reading a great book, spending time with family, or simply enjoying a quiet evening, we'd love to hear it.

Drop your favorite summer moment in the comments! ⬇️

07/16/2026

Congratulations to Cambria Huff from LSU Libraries, the winner of our American Library Association Annual Conference Giveaway!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by our booth. We loved meeting so many wonderful librarians, educators, and library professionals from across the country!

Watching children discover our characters, hearing your ideas for using the storybooks in your libraries, and sharing conversations about whole child development made this year's conference incredibly special.

If we met at ALA, what was your favorite part of this year's conference? We'd love to hear your highlights!