EduEmporium’s latest programme prioritises child mental health

EduEmporium founder Norleen Zulu visited Jackie’s Play School on June 12 as part of the mental health awareness Read & Bloom Literacy + Emotional Wellbeing Programme for children.

Zulu explained: “It integrates literacy and social-emotional learning (SEL), curated to equip preschoolers with the skills to understand and navigate matters of mental health. I designed the Read & Bloom Literacy + Emotional Wellbeing Programme to build mental resilience amongst children.”

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She added that the mission was to equip these young minds with the tools they require to navigate their mental health spectrum, which includes feelings of sadness and worry, establishing emotional fortitude that benefits them throughout the entirety of their lives.

The goal was to reach 200 learners. “We not only met, but exceeded our set target, reaching 226 learners between the ages of three and six years. To reinforce the programme’s messaging and impact, we donated 226 books to these young minds.”

The Read & Bloom Literacy + Emotional Wellbeing Programme partnered with Vuledzani Dangale, an insightful author, utilising her inspiring book, Mashudu’s Magical Superpowers, a creative, story-led toolkit that helps children understand and process their emotions.

The programme’s success underscored two key imperatives:
• Parental engagement – Quality time spent discussing emotions, reading together, and modelling healthy coping mechanisms strengthens a child’s emotional foundation.
• Institutional commitment – Schools must integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into daily learning, ensuring mental health education is as prioritised as traditional academics.

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